O Good Deeds, I stand in great fear; I must you pray of counsel, For help now should come right well. GOOD DEEDS. Everyman, I have understanding, That thou art summoned account to make Before Messias of Jerusalem King; And you do by me, that journey with[89] you will I take. EVERYMAN. Therefore I come to you my moan to make: I pray you, that ye will go with me. GOOD DEEDS. I would full fain, but I cannot stand verily. EVERYMAN. Why, is there anything on you fall? GOOD DEEDS. Yea, sir, I may thank you of all; If ye had perfectly cheered me, Your book of account full ready now had be. Look, the books of your works and deeds eke! Behold how they lie under the feet, To your soul's heaviness. EVERYMAN. Our Lord Jesus help me, For one letter herein can I not see. GOOD DEEDS. Here is a blind reckoning in time of distress! EVERYMAN. Good Deeds, I pray you, help me in this need, Or else I am for ever damned indeed; Therefore help me to make my reckoning Before the Redeemer of all thing, That king is, and was, and ever shall. GOOD DEEDS. Everyman, I am sorry of your fall, And fain would I help you, and I were able. EVERYMAN. Good Deeds, your counsel, I pray you, give me. GOOD DEEDS. That shall I do verily: Though that on my feet I may not go, I have a sister that shall with you also, Called Knowledge, which shall with you abide, To help you to make that dreadful reckoning. [_Enter Knowledge_. KNOWLEDGE. Everyman, I will go with thee, and be thy guide, In thy most need to go by thy side. EVERYMAN. In good condition I am now in every thing, And am wholly content with this good thing, Thanked be God my Creature.[90] GOOD DEEDS. And when he hath brought thee there, Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart, Then go thou with thy reckoning and thy good deeds together. For to make thee joyful at the heart Before the blessed Trinity. EVERYMAN. My Good Deeds, I thank thee heartfully: I am well content certainly With your words sweet. KNOWLEDGE. Now go we together lovingly To Confession, that cleansing river. EVERYMAN. For joy I weep: I would we there were; But I pray you to instruct me by intellection,[91] Where dwelleth that holy virtue Confession? KNOWLEDGE. In the house of salvation; We shall find him in that place, That shall us comfort by God's grace. Lo, this is Confession: kneel down, and ask mercy; For he is in good conceit with God Almighty. EVERYMAN. O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify, Wash from me the spots of vices unclean, That on me no sin may be seen; I come with Knowledge for my redemption, Redempt with heart and full contrition, For I am commanded a pilgrimage to take, And great accounts before God to make. Now I pray you, Shrift, mother of salvation, Help hither my good deeds for my piteous exclamation. CONFESSION.