_Everyman._ Alack! shall we thus depart indeed? Our Lady, help, without any more comfort, Lo, _Fellowship_ forsaketh me in my most need: For help in this world whither shall I resort? _Fellowship_ herebefore with me would merry make; And now little sorrow for me doth he take. It is said, in prosperity men friends may find, Which in adversity be full unkind. Now whither for succour shall I flee, Sith that _Fellowship_ hath forsaken me? To my kinsmen I will truly, Praying them to help me in my necessity; I believe that they will do so, For kind will creep where it may not go. I will go say, for yonder I see them go. Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen? _Kindred._ Here be we now at your commandment. _Cousin_, I pray you show us your intent In any wise, and not spare. _Cousin._ Yea, _Everyman_, and to us declare If ye be disposed to go any whither, For wete you well, we will live and die together. _Kindred._ In wealth and woe we will with you hold, For over his kin a man may be bold. _Everyman._ Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind. Now shall I show you the grief of my mind: I was commanded by a messenger, That is an high king's chief officer; He bade me go a pilgrimage to my pain, And I know well I shall never come again; Also I must give a reckoning straight, For I have a great enemy, that hath me in wait, Which intendeth me for to hinder. _Kindred._ What account is that which ye must render? That would I know. _Everyman._ Of all my works I must show How I have lived and my days spent; Also of ill deeds, that I have used In my time, sith life was me lent; And of all virtues that I have refused. Therefore I pray you go thither with me, To help to make mine account, for saint _charity_. _Cousin._ What, to go thither? Is that the matter? Nay, _Everyman_, I had liefer fast bread and water All this five year and more. _Everyman._ Alas, that ever I was bore![12] For now shall I never be merry If that you forsake me. _Kindred._ Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man! Take good heart to you, and make no moan. But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne, As for me, ye shall go alone. _Everyman._ My _Cousin_, will you not with me go? _Cousin._ No, by our Lady; I have the cramp in my toe. Trust not to me, for, so God me speed, I will deceive you in your most need, _Kindred._ It availeth not us to tice. Ye shall have my maid with all my heart; She loveth to go to feasts, there to be nice, And to dance, and abroad to start: I will give her leave to help you in that journey, If that you and she may agree. _Everyman._ Now show me the very effect of your mind. Will you go with me, or abide behind? _Kindred._ Abide behind? yea, that I will and I may! Therefore farewell until another day. _Everyman._ How should I be merry or glad? For fair promises to me make, But when I have most need, they me forsake. I am deceived; that maketh me sad.