KNOWLEDGE. Be no more sad, but ever more rejoice; God seeth thy living in His throne above. Put on this garment to thy behove, Which with your tears is now all wet, Lest before God it be unsweet When you to your journey's end come shall. EVERYMAN. Gentle Knowledge, what do ye it call? KNOWLEDGE. It is the garment of sorrow-- From pain it will you borrow-- Contrition it is, That getteth forgiveness, It pleaseth God passing well. GOOD DEEDS. Everyman, will you wear it for your heal? EVERYMAN. Now blessed be Jesu, Mary's Son! For now have I on true contrition; And let us go now without tarrying. Good Deeds, have we clear our reckoning? GOOD DEEDS. Yea, indeed, I have it here. EVERYMAN. Then I trust we need not fear. Now friends, let us not part in twain. KINDRED. Nay, Everyman, that will we not, certain! GOOD DEEDS. Yet must thou lead with thee Three persons of great might. EVERYMAN. Who should they be? GOOD DEEDS. Discretion and Strength they hight, And thy Beauty may not abide behind. KNOWLEDGE. Also ye must call to mind Your five wits, as for your councillors. GOOD DEEDS. You must have them ready at all hours. EVERYMAN. How shall I get them hither? KINDRED. You must call them all together, And they will hear you, incontinent. EVERYMAN. My friends, come hither and be present! Discretion, Strength, my Five Wits, and Beauty! BEAUTY. Here are your will me be ready; What would ye that we should do? GOOD DEEDS. That ye would with Everyman go, And help him in his pilgrimage. Advise you--will ye with him or not, in that voyage? STRENGTH. We will bring him all thither, To his help and comfort, ye may believe me. DISCRETION. So will we go with him all together. EVERYMAN. Almighty God, loved may thou be! I give thee laud that I have hither brought Strength, Discretion, Beauty, and Five Wits,--lack I nought-- And my Good Deeds, with Knowledge clear, All be in company at my will here; I desire no more to my business. STRENGTH. And I, Strength, will stand by you in distress, Though thou wouldest in battle fight on the ground. FIVE WITS. And though it were through the world round, We will not depart, for sweet nor sour. BEAUTY. No more will I, unto death's hour, Whatsoever thereof befall. DISCRETION. Everyman, advise you first of all; Go with a good advisement and deliberation. We all give you virtuous monition. EVERYMAN. That all shall be well. My friendes, hearken what I will tell: I pray God reward you in His heavenly sphere! Now hearken, all that be here, For I will make my testament Here before you all present. In alms half my goods I will give with my handes twain In the way of charity, with good intent; And the other half still shall remain In quiet, to be returned there it ought to be. This I do in despite of the fiend of hell, To go quite out of his peril, Ever after and this day.