Alas! shall I have no lenger respite? I may say Death giveth no warning: To think on thee it maketh my heart sick; For all unready is my book of reckoning: But, [for] twelve year and I might have abiding, My counting-book I would make so clear, That my reckoning I should not need to fear. Wherefore, Death, I pray thee for God's mercy, Spare me, till I be provided of remedy. DEATH. Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray: But haste thee lightly, that thou wert gone this journey; And prove thy friends, if thou can; For, wit thou well, the tide abideth no man, And in the world each living creature For Adam's sin must die of nature. EVERYMAN. Death, if I should this pilgrimage take, And my reckoning surely make, Show me, for Saint Charity, Should I not come again shortly? DEATH. No, Everyman, and thou be once there, Thou mayest never more come here, Trust me verily. EVERYMAN. O gracious God, in the high seat celestial, Have mercy on me in this most need. Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial Of mine acquaince,[79] that way me to lead? DEATH. Yea, if any be so hardy, That would go with thee, and bear thee company: Hie thee that thou were gone to God's magnificence, Thy reckoning to give before his presence. What, weenest thou thy life is given thee, And thy worldly goods also? EVERYMAN. I had ween'd so verily. DEATH. Nay, nay; it was but lend thee; For, as soon as thou art gone, Another awhile shall have it, and then go therefro, Even as thou hast done. Everyman, thou art mad, thou hast thy wits five, And here on earth will not amend thy life; For suddenly I do come. EVERYMAN. O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee, That I might escape this endless sorrow! Now, gentle Death, spare me till to-morrow, That I may amend me With good advisement. DEATH. Nay, thereto I will not consent, Nor no man will I respite; But to the heart suddenly I shall smite Without any advisement. And now out of thy sight I will me hie; See thou make thee ready shortly, For thou mayest say, this is the day That no man living may 'scape away. EVERYMAN. Alas! I may well weep with sighs deep: Now have I no manner of company To help me in my journey, and me to keep; And also my writing is full unready. How shall I do now for to excuse me! I would to God I had never be got;[80] To my soul a full great profit it had be; For now I fear pains huge and great. The time passeth: Lord, help, that all wrought! For though I mourn, it availeth nought: The day passeth, and is almost ago; I wot not well what for to do. To whom were I best my complaint to make? What, and I to Fellowship thereof spake, And showed him of this sudden chance! For in him is all mine affiance; We have in the world so many a day Be good friends in sport and play, I see him yonder certainly; I trust that he will bear me company, Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow, Well met, good Fellowship, and good morrow. FELLOWSHIP _speaketh_.