EVERYMAN. Alack! shall we thus depart indeed? Oh Lady, help! without any more comfort, Lo! Fellowship forsaketh me in my most need. For help in this world whither shall I resort? Fellowship here before 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 kinnesmen 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 kinnesmen? KINDRED. Here be we now at your commandement: Cousin, I pray you, show us your intent In any wise, and do not spare. COUSIN. Yea, Everyman, and us to declare If ye be disposed to go any whither, For wot ye 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 a high king's chief officer; He bade me go a pilgrimage to my pain, But I know well I shall never come again. Also I must give reckoning strait, 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 dayes 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 born! 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 will I, and I may, Therefore farewell, till another day! EVERYMAN. How should I be merry or glad? For fair promises men to me do make, But when I have most need they me forsake. I am deceived--that maketh me sad.