EVERYMAN. Oh, 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, of thee now my leave I take; I will follow the others, 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. Oh Jesus, help! all hath forsaken me. GOOD DEEDS. Nay, Everyman, I will bide with thee; I will not forsake thee, indeed-- Thou shalt find me a good friend at need. EVERYMAN. Gramercy, Good Deeds! now may I true friends see! They have forsaken me, everyone; I loved them better than my Good Deeds alone. Knowledge will ye forsake me also? KNOWLEDGE. Yea, Everyman, when ye to death do go, But not yet, for no manner of danger. EVERYMAN. Gramercy, Knowledge with all my heart! KNOWLEDGE. Nay, yet I will not from hence depart Till I see where ye shall become. EVERYMAN. Me-thinketh, alas, that I must be gone To make my reckoning, and my debtes pay, For I see my time is nigh spent away. Take example, all ye that this do hear or see, How they that I loved best do forsake me, Except my Good Deeds, that bideth truly. GOOD DEEDS. All earthly thing is but vanity: Beauty, Strength, and Discretion do man forsake-- Foolish friends and kinsmen that fair spake-- All fleeth save Good Deeds, and that am I. EVERYMAN. Have mercy on me, God most mighty! And stand by me, thou mother and maid, Holy Mary! GOOD DEEDS. Fear not, I will speak for thee. EVERYMAN. Here I cry God mercy! GOOD DEEDS. Short our end and minish our pain! Let us go and never come again. EVERYMAN. Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend! Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost: As thou me boughtest so me defend, And save me from the fiendes boast, That I may appear with that blessed host That shall be saved at the Doom, (In manus tuas) of mightes most, For ever (commendo spiritum meum). KNOWLEDGE. Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure; The Good Deeds shall make all sure. Now hath he made ending-- Me-thinketh that I hear angels sing, And make great joy and melody, Where Everyman's soul shall received be. ANGEL. Come excellent elect spouse to Jesu! Here above thou shalt go Because of thy singular virtue. Now thy soul is taken thy body fro, Thy reckoning is crystal clear. Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere, Unto the which all ye shall come That liveth well, before the day of Doom.