ady, help, without any more comfort,
Lo, _Fellowship_ forsaketh me in my most need:
For help in this world whither shall I resort?
_Fellowship_ herebefore with me would merry make;
And now little sorrow for me doth he take.
It is said, in prosperity men friends may find,
Which in adversity be full unkind.
Now whither for succour shall I flee,
Sith that _Fellowship_ hath forsaken me?
To my kinsmen I will truly,
Praying them to help me in my necessity;
I believe that they will do so,
For kind will creep where it may not go.
I will go say, for yonder I see them go.
Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen?

_Kindred._ Here be we now at your commandment.
_Cousin_, I pray you show us your intent
In any wise, and not spare.

_Cousin._ Yea, _Everyman_, and to us declare
If ye be disposed to go any whither,
For wete you well, we will live and die together.

_Kindred._ In wealth and woe we will with you hold,
For over his kin a man may be bold.

_Everyman._ Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind.
Now shall I show you the grief of my mind:
I was commanded by a messenger,
That is an high king's chief officer;
He bade me go a pilgrimage to my pain,
And I know well I shall never come again;
Also I must give a reckoning straight,
For I have a great enemy, that hath me in wait,
Which intendeth me for to hinder.

_Kindred._ What account is that which ye must render?
That would I know.

_Everyman._ Of all my works I must show
How I have lived and my days spent;
Also of ill deeds, that I have used
In my time, sith life was me lent;
And of all virtues that I have refused.
Therefore I pray you go thither with me,
To help to make mine account, for saint _charity_.

_Cousin._ What, to go thither? Is that the matter?
Nay, _Everyman_, I had liefer fast bread and water
All this five year and more.

_Everyman._ Alas, that ever I was bore![12]
For now shall I never be merry
If that you forsake me.

_Kindred._ Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man!
Take good heart to you, and make no moan.
But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne,
As for me, ye shall go alone.

_Everyman._ My _Cousin_, will you not with me go?

_Cousin._ No, by our Lady; I have the cramp in my toe.
Trust not to me, for, so God me speed,
I will deceive you in your most need,
_Kindred._ It availeth not us to tice.
Ye shall have my maid with all my heart;
She loveth to go to feasts, there to be nice,
And to dance, and abroad to start:
I will give her leave to