Source text for this digital edition:
The Summoning of Everyman: A Critical, Modernized Edition Based on the Third Quarto. Edited by Jesús Tronch Pérez. Valencia: ARTELOPE - EMOTHE Universitat de València, 2019. Text-only edition first published in 2018.

Digital text editor for EMOTHE:

Tronch Pérez, Jesus

Note on this digital edition

The editor expresses his heartfelt thanks to Eric Rasmussen and to David Bevington for faciliating materials for this critical edition.

In memoriam, David Bevington (1931-2019)

With the support of research project GVAICO2016-094, funded by Generalitat Valenciana (2016-2017).

TEI-edition DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3958901

__________________________________________________

[ The Summoning of 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.

[Dramatis Personae

Messenger

God

Death

Everyman

Fellowship

Kindred

Cousin

Goods

Good Deeds

Knowledge

Confession

Beauty

Strength

Discretion

Five Wits

Angel

Doctor ]

[Enter Messenger as prologue.]*

- ADA [Enter Messenger as prologue.] (subst.)

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*

- Q4 wondrous
- Q3 wonders

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 the 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.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

[Enter] God [and] speaketh:*

- BRA [Enter] God [and] speaketh: (“[Enter God.]”)
- Q3 God speketh
- ADA God speketh [from above.]

[God]*

- ADA [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 righteousness, the sharp rod*

- Q4 rod
- Q3 rood

My law*

- Q3 law
- BEV love

, that I showed when I for them died,

They forget clean, and shedding of my blood red.

I hanged between two*

- Q3 two
- Q4 two theues

, 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.

Every man 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 fast.

Therefore I will, in all the haste,

Have a reckoning of every man's person.

For, an 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 do all clean forget.

I hoped well that every man

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 every man living without fear. —

Where art thou, Death, thou mighty messenger?

[Enter]*

- ADA [Enter]

Death.

Death

Almighty God, I am here at your will,

Your commandment to fulfill.

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.*

- Q3 tarrying.
- BEV tarrying [God withdraws.]

Death

Lord, I will in the world go run over all

And truly outsearch both great and small.

[God withdraws.]*

- BEV [God withdraws.] (after 'taryenge' line 71)

Every man will I beset that liveth beastly

Out of God's laws, and dreadeth not folly.

He that loveth richesse 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.

[Enter Everyman at a distance.]*

- ADA [Enter Everyman at a distance.]
- LES [Exit God.] (subst.)

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?*

- Q3 forget?
- BRA forget? [Enter] Everyman

Everyman

Why askest thou?

Wouldst thou wit?

Death

Yea, sir, I will show you:

In great haste I am sent to thee

From God, out of his majesty.

Everyman

What, sent to me?

Death

Yea, certainly.

Though thou have forget Him here,

He thinketh on thee in the heavenly sphere,

As, ere*

- Q3 ere (“or” throughout)

we depart, thou shalt know.

Everyman

What desireth God of me?

Death

That shall I show thee:

A reckoning he will needs have

100

Without any longer respite.

Everyman

101

To give a reckoning longer leisure I crave.

102

This blind matter troubleth my wit.

Death

103

On thee thou must take a long journey.

104

Therefore thy book of count with thee thou bring,

105

For turn again thou cannot by no way.

106

And look thou be sure of thy reckoning,

107

For before God thou shalt answer and show

108

Thy many bad deeds, and good but a few,

109

How thou hast spent thy life and in what wise,

110

Before the chief Lord of paradise.

111

Have ado that we were in that way,

112

For, wit thou well, thou shalt make none attorney.

Everyman

113

Full unready I am such reckoning to give.

114

I know thee not. What messenger art thou?

Death

115

I am Death, that no man dreadeth,

116

For every man I 'rest, and no man spareth;

117

For it is God's commandment

118

That all to me should be obedient.

Everyman

119

O Death, thou comest when I had thee least in mind!

120

In thy power it lieth me to save;

121

Yet of my good will I give thee if thou will be kind

122

(Yea, a thousand pound shalt thou have)

123

And defer*

- Q3 defer
- BEV [thou] differe

this matter till another day.

Death

124

Everyman, it may not be, by no way.

125

I set not by gold, silver, nor richesse*

- Q3 richesse
- CAW riches

126

Ne by pope, emperor, king, duke, ne princes;

127

For, an I would receive gifts great,

128

All the world I might get,

129

But my custom is clean contrary.

130

I give thee no respite. Come hence and not tarry.

Everyman

131

Alas! Shall I have no longer respite?

132

I may say Death giveth no warning!

133

To think on thee it maketh my heart sick,

134

For all unready is my book of reckoning.

135

But twelve year and I might have abiding,

136

My counting book I would make so clear

137

That my reckoning I should not need to fear.

138

Wherefore, Death, I pray thee, for God's mercy,

139

Spare me till I be provided of remedy.

Death

140

Thee availeth not to cry, weep, and pray,

141

But haste thee lightly that thou were gone that journey,

142

And prove thy friends if thou can;

143

For, wit thou well, the tide abideth no man,

144

And in the world each living creature

145

For Adam's sin must die of nature.

Everyman

146

Death, if I should this pilgrimage take

147

And my reckoning surely make,

148

Show me, for saint charity,

149

Should I not come again shortly?

Death

150

No, Everyman. An thou be once there,

151

Thou mayst never more come here —

152

Trust me verily.

Everyman

153

O gracious God in the high seat celestial,

154

Have mercy on me in this most need!

155

Shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial

156

Of mine acquaintance*

- Q4 acquaintance
- Q3 acqueynce

that way me to lead?

Death

157

Yea, if any be so hardy

158

That would go with thee and bear thee company.

159

Hie thee that thou were gone to God's magnificence,

160

Thy reckoning to give before his presence.

161

What, weenest thou thy life is given thee,

162

And thy worldly goods also?

Everyman

163

I had weened so, verily.

Death

164

Nay, nay, it was but lent thee.

165

For, as soon as thou art go,

166

Another a while shall have it, and then go therefro,

167

Even as thou hast done.

168

Everyman, thou art mad*

- Q4 mad
- Q3 made

. Thou hast thy wits five

169

And here on earth will not amend thy life,

170

For suddenly I do come.

Everyman

171

O wretched caitiff, whither shall I flee,

172

That I might scape this endless sorrow?

173

Now, gentle Death, spare me till tomorrow,

174

That I may amend me

175

With good advisement.

Death

176

Nay, thereto I will not consent,

177

Nor no man will I respite,

178

But to the heart suddenly I shall smite

179

Without any advisement.

180

And now out of thy sight I will me hie.

181

See thou make thee ready shortly,

182

For thou mayst say this is the day

183

That no man living may scape away.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

184

Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep!

185

Now have I no manner of company

186

To help me in my journey, and me to keep;

187

And also my writing is full unready.

188

How shall I do now for to excuse me?

189

I would to God I had never be get!

190

To my soul a full great profit it had be,

191

For now I fear pains huge and great.

192

The time passeth. Lord, help, that all wrought!

193

For though I mourn, it availeth nought.

194

The day passeth and is almost ago.

195

I wot not well what for to do.

196

To whom were I best my complaint to make?

197

What an I to Fellowship thereof spake

198

And showed him of this sudden chance,

199

For in him is all mine affiance?

200

We have in the world so many a day

201

Be good friends in sport and play.

[Enter Fellowship at a distance.]*

- BEV [Enter Fellowship at a distance.]

202

I see him yonder, certainly.

203

I trust that he will bear me company;

204

Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow. —

205

Well met, good Fellowship, and good morrow!

Fellowship speaketh.

[Fellowship]

206

Everyman, good morrow, by this day!

207

Sir, why lookest thou so piteously?

208

If anything be amiss, I pray thee me say,

209

That I may help to remedy.

Everyman

210

Yea, good Fellowship, yea,

211

I am in great jeopardy.

Fellowship

212

My true friend, show to me your mind.

213

I will not forsake thee to my life's end

214

In the way of good company.

Everyman

215

That was well spoken, and lovingly.

Fellowship

216

Sir, I must needs know your heaviness;

217

I have pity to see you in any distress.

218

If any have you wronged, ye shall revenged be,

219

Though I on the ground be slain for thee,

220

Though that I know before that I should die.

Everyman

221

Verily, Fellowship, gramercy.

Fellowship

222

Tush, by thy thanks I set not a straw!

223

Show me your grief and say no more.

Everyman

224

If I my heart should to you break,

225

And then you to turn your mind from me

226

And would not me comfort when ye hear me speak,

227

Then should I ten times sorrier be.

Fellowship

228

Sir, I say as I will do, indeed.

Everyman

229

Then be you a good friend at need.

230

I have found you true herebefore.

Fellowship

231

And so ye shall evermore.

232

For, in faith, an thou go to hell,

233

I will not forsake thee by the way.

Everyman

234

Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well.

235

I shall deserve it, an I may.

Fellowship

236

I speak of no deserving, by this day!

237

For he that will say and nothing do

238

Is not worthy with good company to go.

239

Therefore show me the grief of your mind

240

As to your friend most loving and kind.

Everyman

241

I shall show you how it is:

242

Commanded I am to go a journey,

243

A long way, hard, and dangerous,

244

And give a strait count, without delay,

245

Before the high Judge, Adonai.

246

Wherefore, I pray you, bear me company,

247

As ye have promised, in this journey.

Fellowship

248

That is matter indeed! Promise is duty;

249

But, an I should take such a voyage on me,

250

I know it well, it should be to my pain.

251

Also it maketh*

- Q4 maketh
- Q3 make

me afeard, certain.

252

But let us take counsel here as well as we can,

253

For your words would fear a strong man.

Everyman

254

Why, ye said if I had need

255

Ye would me never forsake, quick ne dead,

256

Though it were to hell, truly.

Fellowship

257

So I said, certainly,

258

But such pleasures be set aside, the sooth to say.

259

And also, if we took such a journey,

260

When should we come again?

Everyman

261

Nay, never again, till the day of doom.

Fellowship

262

In faith, then will not I come there!

263

Who hath you these tidings brought?

Everyman

264

Indeed, Death was with me here.

Fellowship

265

Now, by God that all hath bought,

266

If Death were the messenger,

267

For no man that is living today

268

I will not go that loath*

- Q3 loath
- Q4 loathsome

journey —

269

Not for the father that begat me!

Everyman

270

Ye promised otherwise, pardie.

Fellowship

271

I wot well I said*

- Q4 said
- Q3 say

so, truly.

272

And yet, if thou wilt eat and drink and make good cheer,

273

Or haunt to women the lusty company,

274

I would not forsake you while the day is clear.

275

Trust me, verily.

Everyman

276

Yea, thereto ye would be ready!

277

To go to mirth, solace, and play

278

Your mind*

- Q3 mind
- Q4 mind to folly

will sooner apply,

279

Than to bear me company in my long journey.

Fellowship

280

Now*

- Q3 Now
- Q4 Nay

, in good faith, I will not that way.

281

But, an thou will murder or any man kill,

282

In that I will help thee with a good will.

Everyman

283

Oh, that is a simple advice, indeed!

284

Gentle fellow*

- Q3 fellow (“felaw”)
- BEV Felaw[ship]e

, help me in my necessity.

285

We have loved long, and now I need;

286

And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me!

Fellowship

287

Whether ye have loved me or no,

288

By Saint Johan, I will not with thee go.

Everyman

289

Yet, I pray thee, take the labor and do so much for me

290

To bring me forward, for saint charity,

291

And comfort me till I come without the town.

Fellowship

292

Nay, an thou would give me a new gown,

293

I will not a foot with thee go.

294

But, an thou had tarried, I would not have left thee so.

295

And, as now, God speed thee in thy journey,

296

For from thee I will depart as fast as I may.

Everyman

297

Whither away, Fellowship? Will thou forsake me?

Fellowship

298

Yea, by my fay! To God I betake thee.

Everyman

299

Farewell, good Fellowship! For thee my heart is sore.

300

Adieu forever! I shall see thee no more.*

- Q3 Adieu ... more
- Q4 (assigned to Fellowship)

Fellowship

301

In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the ending*

- CAW ending (“end[ing]e”)
- Q3 end

302

For you I will remember that parting is mourning.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

303

Alack! Shall we thus*

- Q4 thus
- Q3 this

depart indeed

304

— Ah, Lady, help! — without any more comfort?

305

Lo, Fellowship forsaketh me in my most need.

306

For help in this world whither shall I resort?

307

Fellowship herebefore with me would merry make,

308

And now little sorrow for me doth he take.

309

It is said, "In prosperity men friends may find,

310

Which in adversity be full unkind".

311

Now whither for succor shall I flee,

312

Sith that Fellowship hath forsaken me?

313

To my kinsmen I will, truly,

314

Praying them to help me in my necessity.

315

I believe that they will do so,

316

For "kind will creep where it may not go".

317

I will go say, for yonder I see them*

- CAW them
- Q3 them go

.—

318

Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen?

[Enter Kindred and Cousin.]*

- ADA [Enter Kindred and Cousin.]

Kindred

319

Here be we now at your commandment.

320

Cousin, I pray you show us your intent

321

In any wise, and not spare.

Cousin

322

Yea, Everyman, and to us declare

323

If ye be disposed to go any whither;

324

For, wit you well, we will*

- Q2 we will
- Q3 will

live and die together.

Kindred

325

In wealth and woe we will with you hold*

- Q2 hold
- Q3 bolde

326

For over his kin a man may be bold*

- Q2 bold
- Q3 holde

Everyman

327

Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind.

328

Now shall I show you the grief of my mind:

329

I was commanded by a messenger

330

That is a high king's chief officer;

331

He bade me go a pilgrimage, to my pain,

332

And I know well I shall never come again.

333

Also I must give a reckoning straight,

334

For I have a great enemy that hath me in wait,

335

Which intendeth me for to hinder.

Kindred

336

What account is that which ye must render?

337

That would I know.

Everyman

338

Of all my works I must show

339

How I have lived, and my days spent;

340

Also of ill deeds that I have used

341

In my time, sith life was me lent,

342

And of all virtues that I have refused.

343

Therefore, I pray you, go thither with me

344

To help to make mine account, for saint charity.

Cousin

345

What, to go thither? Is that the matter?

346

Nay, Everyman, I had liefer fast bread and water

347

All this five year and more.

Everyman

348

Alas, that ever I was bore!

349

For now shall I never be merry

350

If that you forsake me.

Kindred

351

Ah, sir! What, ye be a merry man!

352

Take good heart to you and make no moan.

353

But one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne:

354

As for me, ye shall go alone.

Everyman

355

My Cousin, will you not with me go?

Cousin

356

No, by Our Lady, I have the cramp in my toe.

357

Trust not to me, for, so God me speed,

358

I will deceive you in your most need.

Kindred

359

It availeth not us to tice.

360

Ye shall have my maid with all my heart;

361

She loveth to go to feasts, there to be nice,

362

And to dance, and abroad to start.

363

I will give her leave to help you in that journey

364

If that you and she may agree.

Everyman

365

Now, show me the very affect of your mind:

366

Will you go with me or abide behind?

Kindred

367

Abide behind? Yea, that will I, an I may!

368

Therefore farewell till another day.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

369

How should I be merry or glad?

370

For fair promises men to me make,

371

But when I have most need they me forsake.

372

I am deceived; that maketh me sad.

Cousin

373

Cousin Everyman, farewell now,

374

For verily I will not go with you.

375

Also of mine own life*

- Q2 life
- Q3 Q4 (om.)

an unready reckoning

376

I have to account; therefore I make tarrying.

377

Now God keep thee, for now I go.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

378

Ah, Jesus, is all come hereto?

379

Lo, fair words maketh fools fain;

380

They promise and nothing will do, certain.

381

My kinsmen promised me faithfully

382

For to abide with me steadfastly,

383

And now fast away do they flee;

384

Even so Fellowship promised me.

385

What friend were best me of to provide?

386

I lose my time here longer to abide.

387

Yet in my mind a thing there is:

388

All my life I have loved riches;

389

If that my Good now help me might,

390

He would make my heart full light.

391

I will speak to him in this distress. —

392

Where art thou, my Goods and riches?

[Goods speaks from a corner*

- CAW [Goods speaks from a corner.]
- ADA within

Goods

393

Who calleth me? Everyman? What, hast thou haste?

394

I lie here in corners, trussed and piled so high,

395

And in chests I am locked so fast,

396

Also sacked in bags. Thou mayst see with thine eye

397

I cannot stir; in packs low I lie.

398

What would ye have? Lightly me say.

Everyman

399

Come hither, Good, in all the haste thou may,

400

For of counsel I must desire thee.

[Goods approaches.]*

- BEV [Goods approaches.]

Goods

401

Sir, an ye i'the world have sorrow or adversity,

402

That can I help you to remedy shortly.

Everyman

403

It is another disease that grieveth me;

404

In this world it is not, I tell thee so.

405

I am sent for another way to go,

406

To give a strait count general

407

Before the highest Jupiter of all;

408

And all my life I have had joy and pleasure in thee;

409

Therefore, I pray thee, go with me.

410

For, peradventure, thou mayst before God almighty

411

My reckoning help to clean and purify;

412

For it is said ever among

413

That "money maketh all right that is wrong".

Goods

414

Nay, Everyman, I sing another song.

415

I follow no man in such voyages.

416

For, an I went with thee,

417

Thou shouldest*

- Q2 Q4 shouldest
- Q3 sholdes

fare much the worse for me.

418

For, because on me thou did*

- Q3 did
- Q2 didst

set thy mind,

419

Thy reckoning I have made blotted and blind,

420

That thine account thou cannot make truly —

421

And that hast thou for the love of me!

Everyman

422

That would grieve me full sore

423

When I should come to that fearful answer.

424

Up, let us go thither together.

Goods

425

Nay, not so. I am too brittle; I may not endure.

426

I will follow no man*

- Q2 no man
- Q3 man

one foot, be ye sure.

Everyman

427

Alas, I have thee loved, and had great pleasure

428

All my life days on good and treasure!

Goods

429

That is to thy damnation, without leasing,

430

For my love is contrary to the love everlasting.

431

But, if thou had me loved moderately during,

432

As to the poor give part of me,

433

Then shouldest thou not in this dolor be,

434

Nor in this great sorrow and care.

Everyman

435

Lo, now was I deceived ere I was ware,

436

And all I may wite misspending*

- Q1 misspending (“myspendynge”)
- Q3 Q4 my spendynge

of time!

Goods

437

What, weenest thou that I am thine?

Everyman

438

I had weened so.

Goods

439

Nay, Everyman, I say no,

440

As for a while I was lent thee:

441

A season thou hast had me in prosperity.

442

My condition is man's soul to kill;

443

If I save one, a thousand I do spill.

444

Weenest thou that I will follow thee?

445

Nay, from this world not, verily.

Everyman

446

I had weened otherwise.

Goods

447

Therefore to thy soul Good is a thief,

448

For when thou art dead, this is my guise:

449

Another to deceive in this same wise

450

As I have done thee, and all to his soul's reproof.

Everyman

451

O false Good, cursed thou be,

452

Thou traitor to God, that hast deceived me

453

And caught*

- Q1 caught
- Q3 caugh

me in thy snare!

Goods

454

Marry, thou brought thyself in care,

455

Whereof I am glad.

456

I must needs laugh, I cannot be sad.

Everyman

457

Ah, Good, thou hast had long my heartly love!

458

I gave thee that which should be the Lord's above.

459

But wilt thou not go with me indeed?

460

I pray thee truth to say.

Goods

461

No, so God me speed!

462

Therefore farewell, and have good day.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

463

Oh, to whom shall I make my moan

464

For to go with me in that heavy journey?

465

First Fellowship said he would with me gone*

- Q1 Q3 gone (archaic form of the infinitive (OED go v.))
- BRA go

466

(His words were very pleasant and gay),

467

But afterward he left me alone.

468

Then spake I to my kinsmen, all in despair,

469

And*

- Q1 And
- Q3 An

also they gave me words fair.

470

They lacked no fair speaking,

471

But all forsook*

- Q1 forsook (“forsoke”)
- Q3 forsake

me in the ending.

472

Then went I to my Goods, that I loved best,

473

In hope to have comfort, but there had I least,

474

For my Goods sharply did me tell

475

That he bringeth many into hell.

476

Then of myself I was ashamed,

477

And so I am worthy to be blamed.

478

Thus may I well myself hate.

479

Of whom shall I now counsel take?

480

I think that I shall never speed

481

Till that I go to my Good Deed.

482

But, alas, she is so weak

483

That she can neither go nor speak.

484

Yet will I venture on her now. —

485

My Good Deeds, where be you?

[Good Deeds speaks from the ground.]*

- ADA [Good Deeds speaks from the ground.] (subst.)

Good Deeds

486

Here I lie, cold in the ground.

487

Thy sins hath me sore bound,

488

That I cannot stir.

Everyman

489

Oh, Good Deeds, I stand in fear!

490

I must you pray of counsel,

491

For help now should come right well.

Good Deeds

492

Everyman, I have understanding

493

That ye be summoned a count*

- Q3 a count (“a counte”)
- ADA account (“a[c]count”)

to make

494

Before Messiahs, of Jerusalem King.

495

An you do by me, that journey with you will I take.

Everyman

496

Therefore I come to you my moan to make.

497

I pray you that ye will go with me.

Good Deeds

498

I would full fain, but I cannot stand, verily.

Everyman

499

Why, is there anything on you fall?

Good Deeds

500

Yea, sir, I may thank you of all!

501

If ye had perfectly cheered me,

502

Your Book of Count full ready had be.

[Good Deeds shows Everyman his Book of Account.]*

- ADA [Good Deeds shows Everyman his Book of Account.] (subst.)

503

Look, the books of your works and deeds eke!

504

Ah, see*

- BRA Ah, see
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Ase
- Q4 Beholde
- LES As

how they lie under the feet

505

To your soul's heaviness!

Everyman

506

Our Lord Jesus help me!

507

For one letter here I cannot see.

Good Deeds

508

There is a blind reckoning in time of distress!

Everyman

509

Good Deeds, I pray you help me in this need,

510

Or else I am forever damned indeed.

511

Therefore help me to make my*

- Q1 my
- Q3 (om.)

reckoning

512

Before the Redeemer of all thing,

513

That king is, and was, and ever shall.

Good Deeds

514

Everyman, I am sorry of your fall,

515

And fain would I help you, an I were able.

Everyman

516

Good Deeds, your counsel I pray you give me.

Good Deeds

517

That shall I do, verily.

518

Though that on my feet I may not go,

519

I have a sister that shall with you also,

520

Called Knowledge, which shall with you abide

521

To help you to make that dreadful reckoning.

[Enter Knowledge.]*

- ADA [Enter Knowledge.]

Knowledge

522

Everyman, I will go with thee and be thy guide,

523

In thy most need to go by thy side.

Everyman

524

In good condition I am now in everything,

525

And am whole content with this good thing,

526

Thanked be*

- Q1 be
- Q3 by

God my creator*

- Q1 Q3 creator ("creature")

Good Deeds

527

And when she*

- BEV she
- Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 he

hath brought you there

528

Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart,

529

Then go you with your reckoning and your Good Deeds together

530

For to make you joyful at heart

531

Before the blessed Trinity.

Everyman

532

My Good Deeds, gramercy!

533

I am well content, certainly,

534

With your words sweet.

Knowledge

535

Now go we together lovingly

536

To Confession, that cleansing river.

Everyman

537

For joy I weep! I would we were there!

538

But, I pray you, give me cognition

539

Where dwelleth that holy man, Confession?

Knowledge

540

In the house of salvation.

541

We shall find him in that place

542

That shall us comfort, by God's grace.

[Confession enters, and Knowledge leads Everyman to him.]*

- BEV [Confession enters, and Knowledge leads Everyman to him] (subst.)
- ADA [Knowledge leads Everyman to Confession]

543

Lo, this is Confession. Kneel down and ask mercy,

544

For he is in good conceit with God almighty.

Everyman

545

[Kneeling]*

- ADA [Kneeling]

O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify,

546

Wash from me the spots of vices unclean,

547

That on me no sin may be seen!

548

I come with Knowledge for my redemption,

549

Redeemed with heart and full contrition;

550

For I am commanded a pilgrimage to take

551

And great accounts before God to make.

552

Now I pray you, Shrift, mother of salvation,

553

Help my Good Deeds for my piteous exclamation.

Confession

554

I know your sorrow well, Everyman.

555

Because with Knowledge ye come to me,

556

I will you comfort as well as I can,

557

And a precious jewel I will give thee

558

Called penance, voider*

- Q2 voider
- Q3 voyce voyder

of adversity.

559

Therewith shall your body chastised be

560

With abstinence and perseverance in God's service.

561

Here shall you receive that scourge of me,

[Confession shows Everyman a knotted scourge.]*

- BEV [Confession shows Everyman a knotted scourge] (subst.)
- ADA [Gives Everyman a scourge]

562

Which is penance strong that ye must endure,

563

To remember thy Savior was scourged for thee

564

With sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently.

565

So must thou, ere thou 'scape that painful pilgrimage. —

566

Knowledge, keep him in this voyage,

[Confession gives the knotted scourge to Knowledge.]*

- BRA [Confession gives the knotted scourge to Knowledge.] (subst.)

567

And by that time Good Deeds will be with thee.

568

[to Everyman]*

- BRA [to Everyman]

But, in any wise, be seeker of mercy,

569

For your time draweth fast. An ye will saved be,

570

Ask God mercy and He will grant truly.

571

When with the scourge of penance man doth him bind,

572

The oil of forgiveness then shall he find.*

- Q3 find.
- BRA find. [Exit.]

Everyman

573

Thanked be God for His gracious work!

574

For now I will my penance begin.

575

This hath rejoiced and lighted my heart,

576

Though the knots be painful and hard within.

Knowledge

577

Everyman, look your penance that ye fulfill,

578

What pain that ever it to you be,

579

And Knowledge shall give you counsel at will

580

How your account ye shall make clearly.

[Everyman makes his confession.]*

- BEV [Everyman makes his confession]
- ADA [Everyman kneels in prayer]

Everyman

581

O eternal God, O heavenly figure,

582

O way of righteousness, O goodly vision,

583

Which descended down in a virgin pure

584

Because he would every man redeem,

585

Which Adam forfeited by his disobedience!

586

O blessed Godhead*

- Q4 Godhead (“godhede”)
- Q3 god heed
- Q2 godheed

elect and high divine,

587

Forgive me*

- Q2 me
- Q3 (om.)

my grievous offense!

588

Here I cry thee mercy in this presence.

589

O ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer,

590

Of all the world hope and conductor*

- Q4 conductor
- Q3 conduyter
- Q2 conduiter

591

Mirror of joy, foundator of mercy,

592

Which enlumineth heaven and earth thereby,

593

Hear my clamorous complaint, though it late be;

594

Receive my prayers unworthy in this heavy life*

- Q2 Q3 unworthy ... life
- Q4 of thy benygnytye

595

Though I be a sinner most abominable,

596

Yet let my name be written*

- Q2 be written
- Q3 bewryten

in Moses' table.

597

O Mary, pray to the Maker of all thing

598

Me for to help at my ending,

599

And save me from the power of my enemy,

600

For Death assaileth me strongly.

601

And, Lady, that I may by mean of thy prayer

602

Of your son's glory to be partner,

603

By the means of His passion, I it crave.

604

I beseech you help me*

- Q2 help me
- Q3 helpe

my soul to save. —

[He rises.]*

- ADA [He rises]

605

Knowledge, give me the scourge of penance.

[He takes the knotted scourge.]*

- LES [He takes the knotted scourge.] (subst.)

606

My flesh therewith shall give a quittance*

- Q4 a quittance (“a quytaunce”)
- Q2 aquaintaunce
- Q3 acqueyntaunce
- ADA aquittance (“aquytaunce”)

607

I will now begin, if God give me grace.

Knowledge

608

Everyman, God give you time and space.

609

Thus I bequeath you in the hands of our Savior.

610

Now may you make your reckoning sure.

Everyman

611

In the name of the Holy Trinity,

612

My body sore punished shall be.

613

Take this, body, for the sin of the flesh!

[He scourges himself.]*

- ADA [He scourges himself.] (subst.)

614

Also thou delightest to go gay and fresh,

615

And in the way of damnation thou did me bring;

616

Therefore suffer now strokes of punishing.

617

Now of penance I will wade the water clear,

618

To save me from purgatory, that sharp fire.

[Good Deeds rises from the ground.]*

- ADA [Good Deeds rises from the ground.] (subst.)

Good Deeds

619

I thank God, now I can walk and go,

620

And am delivered of my sickness and woe.

621

Therefore with Everyman I will go and not spare;

622

His good works I will help him to declare.

Knowledge

623

Now, Everyman, be merry and glad.

624

Your Good Deeds cometh now; ye may not be sad.

625

Now is your Good Deeds whole and sound,

626

Going upright upon the ground.

Everyman

627

My heart is light and shall be evermore.

628

Now will I smite faster than I did before.

Good Deeds

629

Everyman, pilgrim, my special friend,

630

Blessed be thou without end!

631

For thee is preparate the eternal glory.

632

Ye have me made whole and sound;

633

Therefore I will bide by thee in every stound.

Everyman

634

Welcome, my Good Deeds! Now I hear thy voice,

635

I weep for very sweetness of love.

Knowledge

636

Be no more sad, but ever rejoice.

637

God seeth thy living in his throne above.

638

Put on this garment to thy behoof,

639

Which is wet with your tears,

640

Or else before God you may it miss

641

When ye to your journey's end come shall.

Everyman

642

Gentle Knowledge, what do ye it call?

Knowledge

643

It is a garment of sorrow.

[He offers a garment.]*

- BRA [He offers a garment.]

644

From pain it will you borrow.

645

Contrition it is,

646

That getteth forgiveness.

647

It*

- Q4 It
- Q2 Q3 He

pleaseth God passing well.

Good Deeds

648

Everyman, will you wear it for your heal?

[Everyman puts on the robe of contrition.]*

- ADA [Every man puts on the garment of contrition.] (subst.)
- BRA [Takes the garment.] (after “Mary's son” l. 649)

Everyman

649

Now blessed be Jesu, Mary's son,

650

For now have I on true contrition.

651

And let us go now without tarrying.

652

Good Deeds, have we clear our reckoning?

Good Deeds

653

Yea, indeed, I have it*

- Q4 have it
- Q2 haue them
- Q3 haue

here.

[He points to the account book.]*

- BRA [He points to the account book.]

Everyman

654

Then I trust we need not fear.

655

Now, friends, let us not part in twain.

Knowledge*

- ADA Knowledge
- Q3 Kynrede

656

Nay, Everyman, that will we not, certain.

Good Deeds

657

Yet must thou lead with thee

658

Three persons of great might.

Everyman

659

Who should they be?

Good Deeds

660

Discretion and Strength they hight,

661

And thy Beauty may not abide behind.

Knowledge

662

Also, ye must call to mind

663

Your Five Wits as for your counselors.

Good Deeds

664

You must have them ready at all hours.

Everyman

665

How shall I get them hither?

Knowledge*

- CAW Knowledge
- Q3 Kynrede

666

You must call them all together,

667

And they will hear you incontinent.

Everyman

668

My friends, come hither and be present,

669

Discretion, Strength, my Five Wits, and Beauty!

[Enter Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, and Beauty.]*

- ADA [Enter Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, and Beauty.]

Beauty

670

Here at your will we be all ready.

671

What would*

- Q2 would
- Q3 wyll

ye that we should do?

Good Deeds

672

That ye would with Everyman go

673

And help him in his pilgrimage.

674

Advise you, will ye with him or not in that voyage?

Strength

675

We will bring him all thither

676

To his help and comfort, ye may believe me.

Discretion

677

So will we go with him all together.

Everyman

678

Almighty God, loved might thou be!

679

I give thee laud that I have hither brought

680

Strength, Discretion, Beauty, and Five Wits (lack I nought)

681

And my Good Deeds, with Knowledge clear;

682

All be in my company at my will here.

683

I desire no more to my business.

Strength

684

And I, Strength, will by you stand in distress,

685

Though thou would in battle fight on the ground.

Five Wits

686

And though it were through the world round,

687

We will not depart, for sweet ne sour.

Beauty

688

No more will I unto Death's hour,

689

Whatsoever thereof befall.

Discretion

690

Everyman, advise you first of all;

691

Go with a good advisement and deliberation.

692

We all give you virtuous monition

693

That all shall be well.

Everyman

694

My friends, harken what I will tell.

695

I pray God reward you in his heavenly*

- Q1 heavenly
- Q3 heuen

sphere.

696

Now hearken all that be here,

697

For I will make my testament

698

Here before you all present.

699

In alms, half my good I will give with my hands twain

700

In the way of charity with good intent,

701

And the other half still shall remain

702

In queath*

- Q3 In queath (“In queth”)
- Q1 I it be quethe
- Q4 In quyet

, to be returned there it ought to be.

703

This I do in despite of the fiend of hell,

704

To go quite out of his peril

705

Ever after and this day.

Knowledge

706

Everyman, harken what I say:

707

Go to Priesthood, I you advise,

708

And receive of him in any wise

709

The holy sacrament and ointment together.

710

Then shortly see ye turn again hither.

711

We will all abide you here.

Five Wits

712

Yea, Everyman, hie you that ye ready were.

713

There is no emperor, king, duke, ne baron,

714

That of God hath commission

715

As hath the least priest in the world being.

716

For of the blessed sacraments pure and benign

717

He beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure

718

For man's redemption (it is ever sure)

719

Which God, for our soul's medicine,

720

Gave us out of his heart with great pain.

721

Here in this transitory life, for thee and me,

722

The blessed sacraments seven there be:

723

Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good,

724

And the sacrament of God's precious flesh and blood,

725

Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance.

726

These seven be good to have in remembrance,

727

Gracious sacraments of high divinity.

Everyman

728

Fain would I receive that holy body,

729

And meekly to my ghostly father I will go.

Five Wits

730

Everyman, that is the best that ye can do.

731

God will you to salvation bring,

732

For priesthood exceedeth all other thing.

733

To us Holy Scripture they do teach,

734

And converteth man from sin, heaven to reach.

735

God hath to them more power given

736

Than to any angel that is in heaven.

737

With five words he may consecrate,

738

God's body in flesh and blood to make*

- Q3 Q4 make
- Q1 take

739

And handleth his Maker between his hands*

- Q2 hands
- Q3 hande

740

The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands,

741

Both in earth and in heaven.

742

Thou ministers*

- Q3 ministers
- LES ministers of

all the sacraments seven,

743

Though we kissed*

- Q2 kissed (“kyst”)
- Q3 Q4 kysse

thy feet, thou were worthy;

744

Thou art the*

- Q2 the
- Q3 Q4 (om.)

surgeon that cureth sin deadly.

745

No remedy we*

- Q3 Q4 we
- Q1 may we

find under God,

746

But all only priesthood.

747

Everyman, God gave priests*

- BEV priests (“preest[s]”)
- Q3 preest

that dignity,

748

And setteth them in his stead among us to be.

749

Thus be they above angels in degree.

[Everyman goes to receive the sacrament and extreme unction from the priest, while the others await his return.]*

- ADA [Everyman … return.] (subst.)

Knowledge

750

If priests be good, it is so, surely.

751

But when Jesu hanged on the cross with great smart,

752

There he gave out of his blessed heart

753

The same sacrament*

- Q3 same sacrament
- BEV seven sacraments

in great torment.

754

He sold them not to us, that Lord omnipotent.

755

Therefore Saint Peter the Apostle doth say

756

That Jesu's curse hath all they

757

Which God their savior do buy or sell,

758

Or they for any money do take or tell.

759

Sinful priests giveth the sinners example bad:

760

Their children sitteth by other men's fires, I have heard,

761

And some haunteth women's company

762

With unclean life, as lusts of lechery.

763

These be with sin made blind.

Five Wits

764

I trust to God no such may we find.

765

Therefore let us priesthood honor

766

And follow their doctrine for our soul's succor.

767

We be their sheep, and they shepherds be,

768

By whom we all be kept in surety.

769

Peace, for yonder I see Everyman come,

770

Which hath made true satisfaction.

Good Deeds

771

Methink it is he indeed.

[Everyman returns carrying a cross.]*

- BRA [Everyman returns carrying a cross.] (subst.)
- ADA Re-enter Everyman

Everyman

772

Now Jesu be your*

- Q3 Q4 your
- Q2 our

alder speed!

773

I have received the sacrament for my redemption

774

And then mine extreme unction.

775

Blessed be all they that counseled me to take it!

776

And now, friends, let us go without longer respite.

777

I thank God that ye have tarried so long.

778

Now set each of you on this rood your hand

779

And shortly follow me.

780

I go before there I would be. God be our*

- Q1 our
- Q3 your

guide.

Strength

781

Everyman, we will not from you go

782

Till ye have done this voyage long.

Discretion

783

I, Discretion, will bide by you also.

Knowledge

784

And though this pilgrimage be never so strong,

785

I will never part you fro.

786

Everyman*

- Q1 Q3 Q4 Everyman
- Q2 (adds speech prefix “Strength”)

, I will be as sure by thee

787

As ever I did*

- Q1 Q3 Q4 did
- Q2 was

by Judas Maccabee.

[They proceed to Everyman's grave.]*

- ADA [They … grave.]

Everyman

788

Alas, I am so faint I may not stand.

789

My limbs under me do*

- Q1 do
- Q3 doth

fold.

790

Friends, let us not turn again to this land,

791

Not for all the world's gold;

792

For into this cave must I creep

793

And turn to earth, and there to sleep.

Beauty

794

What, into this grave? Alas!

Everyman

795

Yea, there shall ye*

- Q1 Q3 ye
- Q2 we
- Q4 you

consume, more and less.

Beauty

796

And what, should I smother here?

Everyman

797

Yea, by my faith, and never more appear.

798

In this world live no more we shall,

799

But in heaven before the highest Lord of all.

Beauty

800

I cross out all this. Adieu! By Saint Johan,

801

I take my tap in my lap and am gone!

Everyman

802

What, Beauty? Whither will ye?

Beauty

803

Peace, I am deaf! I look not behind me,

804

Not an thou wouldst give me all the gold in thy chest.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

805

Alas, whereto may I trust?

806

Beauty goeth fast away from me.

807

She promised with me to live and die.

Strength

808

Everyman, I will thee also forsake and deny.

809

Thy game liketh me not at all.

Everyman

810

Why, then, ye will forsake me all?

811

Sweet Strength, tarry a little space.

Strength

812

Nay, sir, by the rood of grace,

813

I will hie me from thee fast,

814

Though thou weep till*

- Q1 till
- Q3 to

thy heart to brast*

- Q3 to brast ("brast"= burst (an English northern variant, OED v.))
- BRA to-burst

Everyman

815

Ye would ever bide by me, ye said.

Strength

816

Yea, I have you far enough conveyed.

817

Ye be old enough, I understand,

818

Your pilgrimage to take on hand.

819

I repent me that I hither came.

Everyman

820

Strength, you to displease I am*

- Q3 to displease I am
- BRA too displease. I am

to blam*

- Q3 to displease I am
- BRA too displease. I am

821

Yet promise is debt: this ye well wot*

- Q2 Yet ... wot
- Q1 Q3 Wyll ye breke promyse that is dette
- Q4 wyll you breke promyse that is dette

Strength

822

In faith, I care not.

823

Thou art but a fool to complain.

824

You spend your speech and waste*

- Q3 waste (“wast”)
- Q2 wastest

your brain.

825

Go thrust thee into the ground.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

826

I had weened surer I should you have found.

827

He that trusteth in his Strength

828

She him deceiveth at the length.

829

Both Strength and Beauty forsaketh me,

830

Yet they promised me fair and lovingly.

Discretion

831

Everyman, I will after Strength be gone.

832

As for me, I will leave you alone.

Everyman

833

Why, Discretion, will ye forsake me?

Discretion

834

Yea, in faith, I will go from thee.

835

For when Strength goeth before,

836

I follow after evermore.

Everyman

837

Yet, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity,

838

Look in my grave once piteously!

Discretion

839

Nay, so nigh will I not come.

840

Farewell everyone!

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

841

Oh, all thing faileth (save God alone),

842

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion;

843

For when Death bloweth his blast,

844

They all run from me full fast.

Five Wits

845

Everyman, my leave now of thee I take;

846

I will follow the other, for here I thee forsake.

Everyman

847

Alas, then may I wail and weep,

848

For I took you for my best friend.

Five Wits

849

I will no longer thee keep.

850

Now farewell and there an end.

[Exit.]*

- ADA [Exit.]

Everyman

851

O Jesu, help! All hath forsaken me!

Good Deeds

852

Nay, Everyman, I will bide with thee.

853

I will not forsake thee indeed.

854

Thou shalt find me a good friend at need.

Everyman

855

Gramercy, Good Deeds. Now may I true friends see.

856

They have forsaken me every one.

857

I loved them better than my Good Deeds alone.

858

Knowledge, will ye forsake me also?

Knowledge

859

Yea, Everyman, when ye to death shall go,

860

But not yet, for no manner of danger.

Everyman

861

Gramercy, Knowledge, with all my heart.

Knowledge

862

Nay, yet I will not from hence depart

863

Till I see where ye shall be come.

Everyman

864

Methink, alas, that I must be gone

865

To make my reckoning and my debts pay,

866

For I see my time is nigh spent away.

867

Take example, all ye that this do hear or see,

868

How they that I loved*

- Q1 loved
- Q3 loue

best do forsake me,

869

Except my Good Deeds, that bideth truly.

Good Deeds

870

All earthly things is but vanity:

871

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion do man forsake,

872

Foolish friends and kinsmen that fair spake.

873

All fleeth save Good Deeds, and that am I.

Everyman

874

Have mercy on me, God most mighty,

875

And stand by me, thou mother and maid, Holy Mary!

Good Deeds

876

Fear not, I will speak for thee.

Everyman

877

Here I cry God mercy!

Good Deeds

878

Short our end and minish our pain.

879

Let us go and never come again.

Everyman

880

Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend.

881

Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost.

882

As thou me boughtest, so me defend,

883

And save me from the fiend's boast,

884

That I may appear with that blessed host

885

That shall be saved at the day of doom.

886

In manus tuas, of mights most,

887

Forever commendo spiritum meum.

[Everyman and Good Deeds descend into the grave.]*

- ADA [Everyman ... grave.]

Knowledge

888

Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure.

889

The Good Deeds shall make all sure.

890

Now hath he made ending.

891

Methinketh that I hear angels sing

892

And make great joy and melody

893

Where Everyman's soul received shall be.

[Enter Angel above, or within.]*

- COL [Enter Angel above, or within.] (“Enter Angel”)
- BEV “above, or within” (after speech prefix)
- ADA (“within”)

Angel

894

Come, excellent elect spouse, to Jesu!

895

Here above thou shalt go

896

Because of thy singular virtue.

897

Now the soul is taken the body fro,

898

Thy reckoning is crystal clear.

899

Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere*

- Q3 sphere (“spere”)

900

Unto the which all ye shall come

901

That liveth well before*

- Q3 before
- Q1 Q2 after

the day of doom.

[Exeunt Angel and Knowledge.]*

- LES [Exeunt Angel and Knowledge.] (subst.)

[Enter Doctor as epilogue.]*

- ADA [Enter … epilogue.]

Doctor

902

This moral*

- Q3 moral
- Q1 memoriall

men may have in mind.

903

Ye hearers, take it of worth, old and young,

904

And forsake Pride, for he deceiveth you in the end,

905

And remember Beauty, Five Wits, Strength, and Discretion:

906

They all at the last do every man*

- Q1 Q3 every man
- COL Everyman

forsake,

907

Save his Good Deeds there doth he take.

908

But beware, for, an*

- Q1 for, an (“for and”)
- Q3 and

they be small,

909

Before God he hath no help at all.

910

None excuse may be there for every man*

- Q1 Q3 every man
- COL Everyman

911

Alas, how shall he do then?

912

For, after death, amends may no man make,

913

For then mercy and pity doth him forsake.

914

If his reckoning be not clear when he do come,

915

God will say, "Ite maledicti in ignem eternum!".

916

And he that hath his account whole and sound,

917

High in heaven he shall be crowned;

918

Unto which place God bring us all thither,

919

That we may live body and soul together.

920

Thereto help the Trinity!

921

Amen, say ye, for saint Charity.

[Exit.]*

- LES [Exit.]

FINIS

The Early Texts: Analysis

The anonymous morality play The Summoning of Everyman , usually called Everyman for short, is probably a translation and not an original composition, its most likely source being the anonymous Dutch play entitled Den Spyeghel der Salicheit van Elckerlijc, or Elckerlijc for short (back translated as "Everybody") (Conley et al. 7; CAW xi; BRA 42). This Dutch play was first printed in Delft around 1495 (Conley et al. 10). The date of the English Everyman is also conjectural and derived from the scarce evidence of the undated early prints.

The only witnesses of the text of Everyman are four quartos published between 1515 and 1534 approximately and preserved in unique exemplars, two of them incomplete (Greg, Bibliography; Blayney 2: 1045). They are identified in this edition, following Bruster and Rasmussen (BRA 76-81), by the abbreviations Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 respectively. None bears a publication date, but typographical analysis of pilcrows carried by Bruster and Rasmussen set the limits as follows: Q1, around 1518-19; Q2 between 1525 and 1528; Q3 between 1521 and 1528, so that it may have preceded Q2; and Q4 between 1528 and 1531 (BRA 76-79).

The first two quartos, printed by Rycharde Pynson, are preserved in fragments. Q1, with the Short Title Catalogue number 10604, survives in 325 lines in two separate fragments: the four leaves of signature C (corresponding to lines 684-922 in the present edition), now treasured in the Bodleian library, and often called the Douce fragment (in honor of Francis Douce, the antiquary that bequeathed the fragment to the library); and signatures B3 and B4 (lines 429-552) in a fragment recently rediscovered and, by 2009, in the possession of scholars Arthur and Janet Ing Freeman in London (the Bandinel fragment, in honor of the librarian Bulkeley Bandinel) (Freeman 398-9). The Douce fragment has the six top lines of each leaf missing, probably cut off as it was trimmed fro binding (BRA 79). Q2 (STC 1604.5), now in the British Library and known as the Garrick copy, has survived in signatures B and C (lines 305-922), two thirds of the text.

The Huntington Library holds the only exemplar of Q3 (STC 10606), a complete text printed by John Skot, provided a title-page displaying woodcuts of the figures of Everyamn and of Deah. Also printed by John Skot and also complete is Q4 (STC 10606.5). Its title-page displays the same woodcuts but in its verso page adds six woodcut illustrations of the figures of Fellowship, Everyman, Beauty, Discretion, Strength and Cousin.
The filiation of these four early texts is far from being a settled matter, given the diversity and odd interconnectedness of the textual variants. In his two works on the texts of Everyman, Greg (1909 and 1910) analyzed these variants and concluded that the Pynson quartos and the Skot quartos constituted two branches of the stemma, each derived from a lost text ("Y" for Q1 and Q2, and "X" for Q3 and Q4), which in their turn might have descended from a lost "Z" text (Greg 1910: 67). Many subsequent editors have endorsed Greg's analysis. In contrast, Freeman (423-7) and Bruster and Rasmussen (BRA 82) propose a simpler transmission in which Q2 derives from Q1 and becomes a textual dead end; Q3 "seems largely to depend upon [Q1], or a close family relation" (Freeman 426); and Q4 is a "modernized, very slightly corrected [...] version of Q3", with the few concomittances with Q1 or Q2 explicable by coincidence (Freeman 427). For Bruster and Rasmussen, Q2 might have been set in consultation of a variant manuscript (BRA 82). Unique readings in each witness can be explained by deliberate interventions. This view seems the most likely to the present editor.

Editorial Procedures

Critical Apparatus

The critical apparatus include deviations from the base text (the third quarto, or Q3) and significant variants in other witnesses and modern editions. It is simultaneously presented in TEI-encoded form, using the double-end-point-attached method (TEI 12.2), with each entry anchored to its point in the critical text, and in a lemmatized list in the following collation notes. In the pop-up-windows displaying the TEI-encoded apparatus, the sigal (in italics) precedes the readings in question, and editorial commentaries may follow encloed by parenthesis. In each entry of the lemmatized list, readings precede the sigla of the witnesses and modern editions, and editorial comments (such as "om." or "subst.", or "after...") or variant readings (inserted between inverted commas) follow the siglum.

The sigla and abbreviations used are listed in the final Bibliography section.

Since the critical edition uses square brackets ( [ ] ) to indicate editorial additions, entries related to these insertions only include the earliest editor to adopt the addition in question.

Lemmatized list

0 SD [Enter Messenger as prologue.] ] ADA subst.
7 wondrous ] Q4; wonders Q3
21 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
21 SD [Enter] God [and] speaketh: ] [Enter God.] BRA; God speketh [from above.] ADA
22 SP [god] ] ADA
28 rod ] Q4; rood Q3
29 law ] Q3; love BEV
31 two ] Q3; two theues Q4
63 SD [Enter] ] ADA
71 tarrying. ] Q3; tarrying [God withdraws.] BEV
73 SD [God withdraws.] ] BEV after 'taryenge' line 71
79 SD [Enter Everyman at a distance.] ] ADA; [Exit God.] LES subst
86 forget? ] Q3; forget? [Enter] Everyman BRA
96 ere ] or Q3 throughout
123 defer ] Q3; [thou] differe BEV
125 richesse ] Q3; riches CAW
156 acquaintance ] Q4; acqueynce Q3
168 mad ] Q4; made Q3
183 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
201 SD [Enter Fellowship at a distance.] ] BEV
251 maketh ] Q4; make Q3
268 loath ] Q3; loathsome Q4
271 said ] Q4; say Q3
278 mind ] Q3; mind to folly Q4
280 Now ] Q3; Nay Q4
284 fellow ] felaw Q3; Felaw[ship]e BEV
300 Adieu ... more ] Q3; Q4 assigned to Fellowship
301 ending ] end[ing]e CAW; end Q3
302 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
303 thus ] Q4; this Q3
317 them ] CAW; them go Q3
318 SD [Enter Kindred and Cousin.] ] ADA
324 we ] Q2; Q3 om.
325 hold ] Q2; bolde Q3
326 bold ] Q2; holde Q3
368 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
375 life ] Q2; Q3 Q4 om.
377 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
392 SD [Goods speaks from a corner.] ] CAW subst.; within ADA
400 SD [Goods approaches.] ] BEV
417 shouldest ] Q2 Q4; sholdes Q3
418 did ] Q3; didst Q2
426 no man ] Q2; man Q3
436 misspending ] myspendynge Q1; my spendynge Q3 Q4
453 caught ] Q1; caugh Q3
462 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
465 gone ] Q1 Q3; go BRA
469 And ] Q1; An Q3
471 forsook ] forsoke Q1; forsake Q3
493 a count ] a counte Q3; account ADA ("a[c]count")
485 SD [Good Deeds speaks from the ground.] ] ADA subst.
502 SD [Good Deeds shows Everyman his Book of Account.] ] ADA subst.
504 Ah, see ] BRA; Ase Q1 Q2 Q3; Beholde Q4; As LES
511 my ] Q1; Q3 om.
521 SD [Enter Knowledge.] ] ADA
526 be ] Q1; by Q3
526 creator ] creature Q1 Q3
527 she ] BEV; he Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
542 SD [Confession enters, and Knowledge leads Everyman to him] ] BEV subst.; [Knowledge leads Everyman to Confession] ADA
545 SD [Kneeling] ] ADA.
558 voider ] Q2; voyce voyder Q3
561 SD [Confession shows Everyman a knotted scourge] ] BEV subst; [Gives Everyman a scourge] ADA
566 SD [Confession gives the knotted scourge to Knowledge.] ] BRA subst.
568 SD [to Everyman] ] BRA
572 find. ] Q3; find. [Exit.] BRA
580 SD [Everyman makes his confession] ] BEV; [Everyman kneels in prayer] ADA
586 Godhead ] godhede Q4; god heed Q3; godheed Q2
587 me ] Q2; Q3 om.
590 conductor ] Q4; conduyter Q3; conduiter Q2
594 unworthy ... life ] Q2 Q3; of thy benygnytye Q4
596 be written ] Q2; bewryten Q3
604 help me ] Q2; helpe Q3
604 SD [He rises] ] ADA.
605 SD [He takes the knotted scourge.] ] LES subst.
606 a quittance ] a quytaunce Q4; aquaintaunce Q2; acqueyntaunce Q3; aquittance ADA ("aquytaunce")
613 SD [He scourges himself.] ] ADA subst.
618 SD [Good Deeds rises from the ground.] ] ADA subst.
643 SD [He offers a garment.] ] BRA
647 It ] Q4; He Q2 Q3
648 SD [Every man puts on the garment of contrition.] ] ADA subst.; [Takes the garment.] BRA after 'Mary's son' l. 649
653 have it ] Q4; haue them Q2; haue Q3
653 SD [He points to the account book.] ] BRA
656 SP knowledge ] ADA; Kynrede Q3
666 SP knowledge ] CAW; Kynrede Q3
669 SD [Enter Discretion, Strength, Five Wits, and Beauty.] ] ADA
671 would ] Q2; wyll Q3
695 heavenly ] Q1; heuen Q3
702 In queath ] In queth Q3; I it be quethe Q1; In quyet Q4
738 make ] Q3 Q4; take Q1
739 hands ] Q2, hande Q3
742 ministers ] Q3; ministers of LES
743 kissed ] kyst Q2; kysse Q3 Q4
744 the ] Q2; Q3 Q4 om.
745 we ] Q3 Q4; may we Q1
747 priests ] preest[s] BEV; preest Q3
749 SD [Everyman … return.] ] ADA subst.
753 same sacrament ] Q3; seven sacraments BEV
771 SD [Everyman returns carrying a cross.] ] BRA subst.; Re-enter Everyman ADA
772 your ] Q3 Q4; our Q2
780 our ] Q1; your Q3
786 Everyman ] Q1 Q3 Q4; Q2 adds speech prefix "Strength"
787 did ] Q1 Q3 Q4; was Q2
788 SD [They … grave.] ] ADA
789 do ] Q1, doth Q3
795 ye ] Q1 Q3; we Q2; you Q4
805 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
814 till ] Q1; to Q3
814 to brast ] Q3; to-burst BRA
820 to displease I am ] Q3; too displease. I am BRA
821 Yet ... wot ] Q2; Wyll ye breke promyse that is dette Q1 Q3; wyll you breke promyse that is dette Q4
824 waste ] wast Q3; wastest Q2
826 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
840 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
850 SD [Exit.] ] ADA
868 loved ] Q1; loue Q3
888 SD [Everyman ... grave.] ] ADA
893 SD [Enter Angel above, or within.] ] Enter Angel COL; within ADA after SP; above, or within BEV after SP
899 sphere ] spere Q3
901 before ] Q3; after Q1 Q2
902 SD [Exeunt Angel and Knowledge.] ] LES subst.
902 SD [Enter … epilogue.] ] ADA
903 moral ] Q3; memoriall Q1
906 every man ] euery man Q1 Q3; Everyman COL
908 for, an ] for and Q1; and Q3
910 every man ] euery man Q1 Q3; Everyman COL
922 SD [Exit.] ] LES

Bibliography

(Abbreviations included)

ADA : Adams, Joseph Quincy, ed. Chief Pre-Shakespearean Dramas. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1924.

BRA : Bruster, Douglas; Rasmussen, Eric, ed. “Everyman” and “Mankind”. London: Methuen Drama A & C Black, 2009. Arden Early Modern Drama.

BEV : Bevington, David, ed. Medieval Drama. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1975.

Blayney, Peter. The Stationers’ Company and the Printers of London, 1501-1557. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.

CAW : Cawley, Arthur C., ed. Everyman and Medieval Miracle Plays. New York: Birmingham-Southern Coll, 1959. London: J. M. Dent, 1993. 195-225.

COL : Coldeway, John C., ed. Early English Drama: An Anthology. London and New York: Garland Pub, 1993.

Conley, John et al. The Mirror of Everyman’s Salvation: A Prose Translation of the Original “Everyman.” Amsterdam: Rodopi, 1985.

Greg, Walter W., ed. Everyman. Reprinted by W. W. Greg from the edition by John Skot in the possession of Mr. A. H. Huth. Materialen zur Kunde des älteren englischen Dramas 24. Louvain: A.Uystpruyst, 1909.

Greg, Walter W., ed. Everyman. Reprinted by W. W. Greg from the fragments of two editions by Pynson preserved in the Bodleian Library and the British Museum, together with critical apparatus. Materialen zur Kunde des älteren englischen Dramas 28. Louvain: A.Uystpruyst, 1910.

Greg, Walter W. A Bibliography of the English Printed Drama to the Restoration. London: Bibliographical Society, 1939.

LES : Lester, G. A., ed. Three Late Medieval Morality Plays: Mankind, Everyman, Mundus et Infans. London: A & C Black, 1981. New Mermaids.

Q1 : anon. [no title page]. London: printed by Richard Pynson, [1518-19?]. STC 10604. [First Quarto.]

Q2 : anon. [no title page]. London: printed by Richard Pynson, [1526-28?]. STC 10604.5 [Second Quarto.]

Q3 : anon. Here begynneth a treatyse how ye hye fader of heuen sendeth dethe to somon euery creature to come and gyue a counte of theyr lyues in this worlde and is in maner of a morall playe. London: printed by John Skot, [1521-8?]. STC 10606 [Third Quarto.]

Q4 : anon. Here begynneth a treatyse how the hye fader of heuen sendeth dethe to somon euery creature to come and gyue a counte of theyr lyues in this worlde and is in maner of a morall playe. London: printed by John Skot, [1528-31?]. STC 10606.5. [Fourth Quarto.]

SD : stage direction

SP : speech prefix

subst. : substantively

TEI : Text Encoding Initiative Consortium. P5 Guidelines for Electronic Text Encoding and Exchange. Originally edited by C.M. Sperberg-McQueen and Lou Burnard for the ACH-ALLC-ACL Text Encoding Initiative. https://www.tei-c.org/release/doc/tei-p5-doc/en/html/index.html

[anonymous]

The Summoning of Everyman

[ The Summoning of 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.