the sacrament for my redemption,
And then 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 fro:
_Everyman_, I will be as sure by thee
As ever I did by Judas Maccabee.

_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 world's 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 hie;
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 wend 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.

_Discreti