GOD. I perceive here in my majesty How that all creatures be to me unkind, Living without dread in worldly prosperity. Of ghostly sight the people be so blind, Drowned in sin, they know me not for their God; In worldly riches is all their mind. They fear not my righteousness, that sharp rod; My law that I showed, when I for them died, They forget clean, and shedding of my blood so red. I hanged between two thieves, it cannot be denied, To get them life, I suffered to be dead; I healed their feet--with thorns hurt was my head-- I could do no more than I did, truly. And now I see the people do clean forsake me; They use the seven deadly sins damnable; As pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery, Now in the world be made commendable; And thus they leave of angels the heavenly company. Every man liveth so after his own pleasure, And yet of their life they be not sure. I see the more that I them forbear The worse they are from year to year. All that liveth appaireth fast, Therefore I will in all the haste Have a reckoning of every man's person, For, and I leave the people thus alone In their life and wicked tempests, Verily they will become much worse than beasts, For now one would by envy another up eat; Charity they all do clean forget. I hoped well that every man In my glory should make his mansion, And thereto I had them all elect, But now I see that, like traitors deject, They thank me not for the pleasure that I to them meant, Nor yet for their being that I them have lent. I proffered the people great multitude of mercy, And few there be that asketh it heartily; They be so cumbered with worldly riches That needs on them I must do justice, On every man living without fear. Where art thou, Death, thou mighty messenger? DEATH. Almighty God, I am here at your will, Your commandement to fulfil. GOD. Go thou to Everyman And show him, in my name, A pilgrimage he must on him take, Which he in no wise may escape; And that he bring with him a sure reckoning, Without delay or any tarrying. DEATH. Lord, I will in the world go run over all, And truly outsearch both great and small, Everyman I will beset that liveth beastly, Out of God's laws, and dreadeth not folly. He that loveth riches I will strike with my dart, His sight to blind, and from heaven depart, Except that alms-deeds be his good friend, In hell for to dwell, world without end. Lo, yonder I see Everyman walking! Full little he thinketh on my coming! His mind is on fleshly lusts, and his treasure, And great pain it shall cause him to endure Before the Lord, heaven king. Everyman, stand still! whither art thou going Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forgot? EVERYMAN. Why askest thou? Wouldest thou wot? DEATH. Yea, sir, I will show you: In great haste I am sent to thee, From God out of his Majesty. EVERYMAN. What! sent to me?