Everyman is late-15th-century English morality play.
Called by Death, Everyman can persuade none of his friends ~
Beauty, Kindred, Worldly Goods ~
To go with him, except Good Deeds.
~ * Characters * ~
Everyman-------------------------Strength
God: Adonai----------------------Discretion
Death-----------------------------Five-Wits
Messenger------------------------Beauty
Fellowship------------------------Knowledge
Cousin----------------------------Confession
Kindred---------------------------Angel
Goods-----------------------------Doctor
Good-Deeds
HERE BEGINETH A TREATISE
HOW THE HIGH MOTHER OH 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 here 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 wonderous 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 here, how our heavenly king
Calleth Everyman to a general reckoning:
Give audience, and here what he doth say.
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/everyman.html
~ * ~