EVERYMAN. Now Jesus Christ be your alder speed! I have received the Sacrament for my redemption, And thou, mine Extreme Unction: Blessed be all they that counselled me to take it! And now, friends, let us go without longer respite-- I thank God that ye have tarried so long-- Now set, each of you, on this rod your hand, And shortly follow me: I go before there I would be; God be our guide! STRENGTH. Everyman, we will not from you go Till ye have gone this voyage long. DISCRETION. I, Discretion, will bide by you also. KNOWLEDGE. And though this pilgrimage be never so strong, I will never part you from. Everyman, I will be as sure by thee As ever I did by Judas Macchabe. 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 worldes 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 and from me; 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 weened 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 I will not come! Farewell, everyone!