_Discretion._ I, _Discretion_, will bide by you also. _Knowledge._ And though this pilgrimage be never so strong, I will never part you fro: _Everyman_, I will be as sure by thee As ever I did by Judas Maccabee. _Everyman._ Alas, I am so faint I may not stand, My limbs under me do fold; Friends, let us not turn again to this land, Not for all the world's gold, For into this cave must I creep And turn to the earth and there to sleep. _Beauty._ What, into this grave? alas! _Everyman._ Yea, there shall you consume more and less. _Beauty._ And what, should I smother here? _Everyman._ Yea, by my faith, and never more appear. In this world live no more we shall, But in heaven before the highest Lord of all. _Beauty._ I cross out all this; adieu by Saint _John_; I take my cap in my lap and am gone. _Everyman._ What, _Beauty_, whither will ye? _Beauty._ Peace, I am deaf; I look not behind me, Not and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest. _Everyman._ Alas, whereto may I trust? _Beauty_ goeth fast away hie; She promised with me to live and die. _Strength._ _Everyman_, I will thee also forsake and deny; Thy game liketh me not at all. _Everyman._ Why, then ye will forsake me all. Sweet _Strength_, tarry a little space. _Strength._ Nay, sir, by the rood of grace I will hie me from thee fast, Though thou weep till thy heart brast. _Everyman._ Ye would ever bide by me, ye said. _Strength._ Yea, I have you far enough conveyed; Ye be old enough, I understand, Your pilgrimage to take on hand; I repent me that I hither came. _Everyman._ _Strength_, you to displease I am to blame; Will you break promise that is debt? _Strength._ In faith, I care not; Thou art but a fool to complain, You spend your speech and waste your brain; Go thrust thee into the ground. _Everyman._ I had wend surer I should you have found. He that trusteth in his _Strength_ She him deceiveth at the length. Both _Strength_ and _Beauty_ forsaketh me, Yet they promised me fair and lovingly. _Discretion. Everyman_, I will after _Strength_ be gone, As for me I will leave you alone. _Everyman._ Why, _Discretion_, will ye forsake me? _Discretion._ Yea, in faith, I will go from thee, For when _Strength_ goeth before I follow after evermore. _Everyman._ Yet, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity, Look in my grave once piteously. _Discretion._ Nay, so nigh will I not come. Farewell, every one! _Everyman._ O all thing faileth, save God alone; _Beauty_, _Strength_, and _Discretion_; For when _Death_ bloweth his blast, They all run from me full fast. _Five-wits. Everyman_, my leave now of thee I take; I will follow the other, for here I thee forsake. _Everyman._ Alas! then may I wail and weep, For I took you for my best friend. _Five-wits._ I will no longer thee keep; Now farewell, and there an end. _Everyman._ O Jesu, help, all hath forsaken me!