Everyman and Other Old Religious Plays, with an Introduction | Page 8

K. Chambers, The Mediæval Stage, 1903; A full
bibliography is given in F. H. Stoddard, References for Students of
Miracle Plays and Mysteries, 1887.

CONTENTS

Introduction vii Everyman 1 The Deluge 27 Abraham, Melchisedec,
and Isaac 39 The Wakefield Second Shepherds' Play 55 The Coventry
Nativity Play 79 The Wakefield Miracle-Play of the Crucifixion 105
The Cornish Mystery-Play of the Three Maries 127 The Mystery of
Mary Magdalene and the Apostles 137 The Wakefield Pageant of the
Harrowing of Hell 147 God's Promises 163 Appendices 193

CHARACTERS
Everyman God: Adonai Death Messenger Fellowship Cousin Kindred
Goods Good-Deeds Strength Discretion Five-Wits Beauty Knowledge
Confession Angel Doctor

EVERYMAN
HERE BEGINNETH A TREATISE HOW THE HIGH FATHER OF
HEAVEN SENDETH DEATH TO SUMMON EVERY CREATURE
TO COME AND GIVE ACCOUNT OF THEIR LIVES IN THIS
WORLD AND IS IN MANNER OF A MORAL PLAY.
Messenger. I pray you all give your audience, And hear this matter with
reverence, By figure a moral play-- The Summoning of Everyman
called it is, That of our lives and ending shows How transitory we be
all day. This matter is wondrous precious, But the intent of it is more

gracious, And sweet to bear away. The story saith,--Man, in the
beginning, Look well, and take good heed to the ending, Be you never
so gay! Ye think sin in the beginning full sweet, Which in the end
causeth thy soul to weep, When the body lieth in clay. Here shall you
see how Fellowship and Jollity, Both Strength, Pleasure, and Beauty,
Will fade from thee as flower in May. For ye shall hear, how our
heaven king Calleth Everyman to a general reckoning: Give audience,
and hear what he doth say.
God. I perceive here in my majesty, How that all creatures be to me
unkind, Living without dread in worldly prosperity: Of ghostly sight
the people be so blind, Drowned in sin, they know me not for their God;
In worldly riches is all their mind, They fear not my rightwiseness, the
sharp rod; My law that I shewed, when I for them died, They forget
clean, and shedding of my blood red; I hanged between two, it cannot
be denied; To get them life I suffered to be dead; I healed their feet,
with thorns hurt was my head: I could do no more than I did truly, And
now I see the people do clean forsake me. They use the seven deadly
sins damnable; As pride, covetise, wrath, and lechery, Now in the
world be made commendable; And thus they leave of angels the
heavenly company; Everyman liveth so after his own pleasure, And yet
of their life they be nothing sure: I see the more that I them forbear The
worse they be from year to year; All that liveth appaireth[7] fast,
Therefore I will in all the haste Have a reckoning of Everyman's person
For and I leave the people thus alone In their life and wicked tempests,
Verily they will become much worse than beasts; For now one would
by envy another up eat; Charity they all do clean forget. I hoped well
that Everyman In my glory should make his mansion, And thereto I had
them all elect; But now I see, like traitors deject, They thank me not for
the pleasure that I to them meant, Nor yet for their being that I them
have lent; I proffered the people great multitude of mercy, And few
there be that asketh it heartily; They be so cumbered with worldly
riches, That needs on them I must do justice, On Everyman living
without fear. Where art thou, Death, thou mighty messenger?
Death. Almighty God, I am here at your will, Your commandment to
fulfil.

God. Go thou to Everyman, And show him in my name A pilgrimage
he must on him take, Which he in no wise may escape; And that he
bring with him a sure reckoning Without delay or any tarrying.
Death. Lord, I will in the world go run over all, And cruelly outsearch
both great and small; Every man will I beset that liveth beastly Out of
God's laws, and dreadeth not folly: He that loveth riches I will strike
with my dart, His sight to blind, and from heaven to depart, Except that
alms be his good friend, In hell for to dwell, world without end. Lo,
yonder I see Everyman walking; Full little he thinketh on my coming;
His mind is on fleshly lusts and his treasure, And great pain it shall
cause him to endure Before the Lord Heaven King. Everyman, stand
still; whither art thou going Thus gaily? Hast thou thy Maker forget?
Everyman. Why askst thou? Wouldest thou wete?[8]
Death. Yea, sir, I will show you; In great haste I