For I see my time is nigh spent away.
Take ensample, all ye that this do hear or see,
How they that I loved best now forsake me;
Except my Good Deeds, that bideth truly.

GOOD DEEDS

All earthly things 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 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 fro the fiend's boast,

That I may appear with that blessed host

But beware, for, and they be small,
Before God he hath no help at all;

None excuse may be there for Everyman:
Alas! how shall he do then?

For after death amends may no man make,
For then mercy and pity doth him forsake;
If his reckoning be not clear, when he doth come,
God will say, Ite, maledicti, in ignem æternum,
And he that hath his account whole and sound,
High in heaven he shall be crowned;
Unto which place God bring us all thither,
That we may live body and soul together;
Thereto help the Trinity:

Amen, say ye, for Saint Charity.