by Anonymous
THE CHARACTERS
Announcer
God
Death
Everyman
Fellowship
Kindred
|
Cousin
Worldly Goods
Good Deeds
Knowledge
Confession
|
Beauty
Strength
Discretion
Five Wits
Angel
Doctor
|
The Play
Announcer:
(enters, speaks in a loud clear voice)
I pray to you all, listen! Before you is the morality play Everyman. See how transitory, how fleeting our lives and deaths are. And how truly precious they really are. Watch and learn how sin turns from sweetness to sorrow as it smothers the soul. See how earthly friendships and delights fade away when the end draws near. Listen! Hear God, our Heavenly Father, summon Everyman to his final judgment.
(exits)
God:
(enters from one side of stage, sorrowful)
So sad. Mankind is drowning in sin. Living only with worldly prosperity. Blind to spiritual vision. They have forgotten Me, their God. Unremembered are the teachers and philosophers I sent them. My sages and saints ignored. Messiahs died for them and still they forsake Me. Mankind embraces The Seven Deadly Sins with a zeal never shown in worship. I offer them mercy in life but most disregard all but worldly riches until it is too late. Every year, the world grows worse. Some, I admit, try... but is it enough? All but a few forget that eventually each one of them will be called to My Mansion. To have his reckoning before Me. Still, I must judge each one fairly.
(louder)
Death, my final messenger! Where are you?
Death:
(enters, approaches God, speaks stridently)
Almighty God! I am here to fulfill Your commandments!
God:
(weary)
Death, find Everyman. Tell him, in My Name, of the journey he must take. He must prepare for his last reckoning without delay.
Death:
(at attention)
Lord, once again I will travel the world for You, gathering both the great and the small. No one escapes my grasp!
Everyman:
(enters, opposite side of stage)
Death:
(pointing)
Look! There walks Everyman. His mind is filled with dreams of lust and gold. Little does he suspect my coming!
God:
(calming Death)
Go, but with the dignity Everyman deserves.
(exits)
Death:
(goes to Everyman)
Everyman! Halt! Where do you go so gaily? Have you forgotten your God?
Everyman:
(surprised)
What? Why do you ask?
Death:
I have been sent to you by Our Majesty, the Lord God! Although you do not remember Him, He thinks of you from His heavenly sphere.
Everyman:
(confused)
Really? What does God want?
Death:
It is time to give your final reckoning! The record of your life, the many bad deeds... and the few good ones, will be displayed before the Great Lord of Paradise. Prepare, Everyman, for the journey from which no one returns!
Everyman:
(panicked)
What? I'm not ready! Wait! Who are you?
Death:
I am Death, God's humble servant which no man should fear.
Everyman:
(frightened)
Death, you come most unexpectedly!
(thinking quickly)
You have the power to spare me. I will give you half my goods if you defer this journey until another day.
Death:
(heard that too many times before)
NO! I care nothing for wealth. If I accepted the gifts offered to me, the whole world I would own! Be you king or knave, the answer would be the same. No. Come, no more delays!
Everyman:
(begs)
Please, may I have more time to prepare? You did come without warning! Another dozen years would make my divine accounting book so clear. So less fearful! Death, I pray to you, in God's mercy, please?
Death:
It will avail you nothing to weep or pray. NO! Make haste. Start your journey now!
Everyman:
Death, if I should take this pilgrimage and make my reckoning with God, may I then return here?
Death:
No, Everyman! Once you die, you never return!
Everyman:
Oh gracious God, must I take this trip alone?
Death:
If you can find any companions hardy enough, they can go with you. Everyman, you do not seem to understand. Do you think your life is given to you? Your worldly goods, too?
Everyman:
Well, yes.
Death:
All is just lent to you for a short while. Soon another will have what you had and later I will take him as well.
Everyman:
(begs even more)
Is there no escape from this tragedy? Gentle Death, please give me until tomorrow to get advice on how to amend my flaws.
Death:
NO!
(feels pity for a moment)
I cannot, even though at times I wish I could. Go! Prepare! This is the day in which no living person can escape!
(exits)
Everyman:
(goes to center stage)
I could cry! I'm all alone, my life is a mess and I have no excuses. I wish to God I had never been born! What terrors await me on the other side? I need a friend. Surely Fellowship will ease my sorrow.
Fellowship:
(enters)
Everyman:
Hello, dear Fellowship.
Fellowship:
(cheerful, goes to Everyman)
Good day to you, my friend. You look troubled. Can I help?
Everyman:
(relieved)
Oh, yes! I am in great jeopardy.
Fellowship:
(brags)
Tell me. I will stand by you for as long as I live. If anyone has wronged you, you shall be revenged, even if it costs me my life! For you, I would walk into Hell itself! Tell me what's wrong.
Everyman:
You are such a true friend.
Fellowship:
He who vows friendship and proves it not, is not worthy of having a friend. Show me your grief.
Everyman:
I have been commanded by Death himself to go before our Lord God and give a strict accounting of my life. Please come with me on this last journey.
Fellowship:
(concerned)
That is some problem you have! A promise is a duty but what would happen to me on such a voyage? Your words scare me!
Everyman:
But you said you would stand by me, dead or alive, even into the pits of Hell.
Fellowship:
(worried)
Did I? But who could have really imagined such a journey? When would we return from this trek?
Everyman:
Not until Armageddon.
Fellowship:
(aghast)
Death told you this? I wouldn't go on such a loathsome trip for my own father!
Everyman:
But you promised!
Fellowship:
(backing away from Everyman)
So what? To eat and drink and chase lusty women, yes. To help you murder a foe, even then! But friendship or no friendship, I will not die with you.
Everyman:
Then, I pray, at least accompany me part of the way.
Fellowship:
No! Not one step. Even if you were to pay all the bills. No! Well, God's speed. I must leave. Now!
Everyman:
Oh, Fellowship, are you forsaking me?
Fellowship:
I certainly am! I will grieve for you... in my own way.
(hurriedly exits)
Everyman:
Farewell, good Fellowship. I will never see you again. Deserted in my time of greatest need. Who can I turn to now? Of course! My family! Blood is thicker than Fellowship's wine. Where are you, my kinsmen?
Kindred & Cousin:
(enter, go to Everyman)
Kindred:
We heard you calling.
Cousin:
We're here to stand by you. To live and die together!
Kindred:
(puts arm around Everyman)
In poverty and sickness, we are here to help.
Everyman:
Death spoke to me. I must make a perilous pilgrimage to God Himself and tell Him of all the evil deeds I have done and the good ones I refused to do. Please come with me as I make my accounting.
Cousin:
(horrified)
What? Go with you there? I'd rather live off bread and water for the next five years!
Kindred:
(smiling an obvious fake smile)
Cheer up, Everyman. Be optimistic! You've led a fairly good life.
(takes arm away)
But if you're counting on me, you'll travel alone.
Cousin:
(faking an injury)
Ow! I have a cramp in my toe! I can't travel with a cramp in my toe!
(hops around))
Kindred:
(thinking of any way out)
I could ask my maid if she would like to accompany you. She's fond of you but probably not THAT much.
Everyman:
For the last time, will you go with me or stay behind?
Kindred:
Stay behind. See you later... or maybe not!
(backs away, exits)
Cousin:
Good-bye, Cousin Everyman. You know, I'd better check on my accounts before Death knocks on my door!
(limps away, exits)
Everyman:
(sadly)
Promises made and shattered before my eyes. Lame excuses. Would I have behaved differently if I were them? No. All my life I loved only riches.
(smiles)
If my possessions lightened my load in life, maybe they can aid me in death! My Worldly Goods, where are you?
Worldly Goods:
(pushed onto stage)
Who calls me? Everyman? I am here, piled high, just as you left me. What financial woes can I aid you with?
Everyman:
It's another disease that plagues me. I need you beside me before Almighty God to help me clean and purify my immortal records.
Worldly Goods:
(chuckles)
I can help you in the material world but no other. To have me with you would only worsen your accounting. Your love of me is contrary to everlasting love. Had you loved me less and donated more of me to the poor, then I could have helped you more.
Everyman:
Oh, Worldly Goods, I trusted you. Loved you!
Worldly Goods:
(laughs)
Trusted me? Ha, ha! For each soul I save, a thousand others fall into my trap! As for the other, I cannot love you anymore than the wind or the rocks could love you.
Everyman:
(angry)
Death was right. You are but lent to me for a short time. Curse you, you traitor to God! The feelings I heaped upon you, I should have given to Him!
Worldly Goods:
(smiles wisely)
You finally understand my true importance and, for that, I'm glad. That will fortify you before God. Now I must go to be inherited by another master.
(pulled off stage)
Everyman:
Fellowship and kinsmen made pretty speeches but fled when I needed them the most. My love of Worldly Goods turned out to be a road to Hell, not Heaven. Who will counsel me now? My Good Deeds?
Good Deeds:
(pushed onto stage, lying on the ground)
Everyman:
There she is now! But she looks so weak and sick.
Good Deeds:
(weakly)
That I am. Your many sins crush down upon me and make me ill.
Everyman:
(puzzled)
I see nothing restraining you.
Good Deeds:
(helpless)
Your sins are invisible to mortal eyes. If you could truly behold them, their ugliness and amount would horrify you beyond any nightmare.
Everyman:
My poor Good Deeds, let me tell you of my plight.
Good Deeds:
I already know. If you had encouraged me in any way, I could have gone with you. Your accounts would have been ready before Lord God. But I cannot move, much less journey beside you.
Everyman:
(grievous)
Then I am damned! Please, Good Deeds, is there anything I can do?
Good Deeds:
Call upon my friend Knowledge. He will help you with your dire reckoning.
Knowledge:
(calmly enters)
Everyman, I am here to guide you through these perilous times.
Everyman:
Oh merciful God, thank you! I have not been abandoned after all!
Knowledge:
You never were. You only sought help from those who could not give it.
Everyman:
Tell me, Knowledge, what should I do?
Knowledge:
(sensibly)
First we must seek Confession to cleanse you of your sins. He is in good favor with Almighty God.
Confession:
(enters)
Knowledge:
Lo, this is the holy man Confession. Kneel and pray for mercy.
Everyman:
(prays)
Forgive me, my Heavenly Savior. I let daily tasks and desires push You from my mind until You were but a dim memory. I prayed to You only in times of great need. I concerned myself with Your teachings only on religious holidays. The rest of the time, You were forgotten or ignored. I thought the universe revolved around me. I was wrong. I am nothing but an insignificant speck. A frightened insignificant speck. Why wasn't I more charitable? More loving? I have disappointed both Almighty God and myself. I failed You! The blame is all mine. Now I kneel before you, begging for Your mercy and doubtful that I'm worthy of receiving it. I offer You my repentance. Save me, God. Please save me!
Confession:
(serenely)
I know your sorrow well, Everyman. It is the contrition all men should feel. Because you came to me with Knowledge and confessed the guilt for your sins, I will help guide you into the light. Knowledge, sustain him on this voyage and help him reunite with his Good Deeds. Hurry. Everyman's time is short.
(exits)
Everyman:
(clutches face, topples over, screaming & crying)
Knowledge:
(trying to calm the suffering Everyman)
Your body, mind and soul are suffering the pains of Purgatory. It is better to feel that agony now than for all eternity.
(looks up)
God, please cleanse Everyman's flesh, brain and spirit so he may be reborn in Your Sight.
Good Deeds:
(arises, joins the others)
I am delivered!
(touches Everyman)
Everyman:
(suddenly not in pain anymore)
Good Deeds:
(gently)
You have freed me of my sickness and woe. I can now accompany you before the Lord and declare your good works.
Everyman:
My sins are absolved?
Knowledge:
Yes. Rejoice!
Everyman:
(stands)
My fear of Death is gone! We must leave this mortal plane now. I will miss it but my future is elsewhere.
Good Deeds:
Three more must go with us, to guide you on your way.
Everyman:
Who? Who have I forgotten?
Good Deeds:
Discretion, Strength and Beauty. They must not be left behind.
Knowledge:
Nor must you forget your Five Wits, for they are your counselors. Call for them. They will come.
Everyman:
(shouts)
Discretion! Strength! Beauty! My Five Wits! Come! Be here with me.
Discretion, Strength, Beauty & Five Wits:
(enter in the order they are called, go to Everyman)
Beauty:
We are here. What would you like us to do?
Good Deeds:
Go with Everyman on his last pilgrimage.
Strength:
(bravely)
I will stand by you, even in battle.
Five Wits:
Be it good or bad, I'll be with you, even if we travel the entire world.
Beauty:
No matter what befalls you, I shall not leave you until Death's door.
Discretion:
I will counsel you, giving you the finest advice and deliberations. All shall be well.
Everyman:
Listen, my friends. I must now go before God and give my testament. To the poor, I give half my worldly goods. The rest shall be returned to whoever it rightfully belongs.
Discretion:
(pondering the problem)
Most wise. I advise you to find a holy person to give you Last Rites.
Five Wits:
Seek out a church of your faith. Even in these final moments, there is still time. Go!
Everyman:
(quickly exits.)
Knowledge:
(worried)
So many preachers are more sinful than those they administer to. Their words are hollow for, although they speak of God, their hearts crave only worldly goods and pleasures of the flesh. May Everyman be spared from such charlatans.
Five Wits:
I trust that God will direct Everyman to a proper one. Not all who speak the word of God have fallen so. Have faith.
Good Deeds:
Look! Everyman approaches.
Everyman:
(enters, refreshed)
It is done. The holy words and rites have made me whole again. Thank you for waiting, my friends. My final journey is at hand.
Strength:
We will not leave you until the end of this voyage.
Discretion:
I will also stay.
Knowledge:
No matter how bad the hardships, I shall not turn back.
Everyman, Good Deeds, Knowledge, Discretion, Strength, Beauty & Five Wits:
(approach the open grave)
Everyman:
(stumbling)
Alas, I am becoming so ill, I cannot stand. My legs are folding under me.
Beauty:
(suddenly afraid)
What? Into this dark, damp grave? What will become of me?
Everyman:
Like the rest of my corpse, you too shall decompose. But fear not. You will live in beauty in the House of God.
Beauty:
(backs away from grave)
You speak of an inner beauty of which you now possess. I am physical beauty of this earth. No corpse is beautiful.
Everyman:
But...
Beauty:
(frightened)
No! I am deaf to your cries. My time is over!
(abruptly exits)
Everyman:
(sad)
Beauty flees so quickly.
Strength:
As so must I. My strength is also of this physical world. Like Beauty, I fade with age and time.
(looks into grave)
This is a game I cannot win. A competitor I cannot defeat.
(shakes Everyman's hand)
Good-bye.
Everyman:
(surprised)
You are breaking your word?
Strength:
Stop complaining! Show some backbone.
(uncomfortable)
Go shove yourself into your grave.
(exits)
Everyman:
I thought strength and beauty would be more dependable. I relied upon them and they have forsaken me.
Discretion:
(hesitantly)
Alas, when strength goes, so must I... although I do try to tarry a bit.
Everyman:
You, too, Discretion?
Discretion:
That is how it must be.
Everyman:
Pray, look into my grave at least once and pity me.
Discretion:
(grumpy)
No. Believe me, I will not come that close. Farewell to all of you.
(exits)
Everyman:
(upset)
All things fail me except God alone. When Death blows his mighty blast, they all run from me.
Five Wits:
(reluctantly)
As so shall I.
Everyman:
(weeping)
No! I took you for my best friend.
Five Wits:
You do not want my Five Wits active within the grave. That would be another form of Hell. To feel worms devouring your skin? To smell and taste your carcass decomposing? No. Nor do you need me where you are going.
(warmly pats Everyman on the back)
My slow fading away towards the end... it is better this way.
(slowly exits)
Everyman:
(stunned, worn down)
All has forsaken me.
Good Deeds:
Not I. I am always with you.
Everyman:
And you, Knowledge? Will you forsake me?
Knowledge:
(honestly)
Yes, Everyman, the moment you die. But not a second before, no matter what the danger. I will not leave until I see and know where you are going.
Everyman:
Thank you for that, Knowledge. My time approaches. Only my Good Deeds remains faithfully by my side.
Good Deeds:
(takes Everyman's hand)
All earthly things are just vanity. Your body eventually diminishes into nothingness. Foolish friends and kinsmen who flatter you will always run away. Only the good a person does in life is eternal.
Everyman:
I am still afraid.
Good Deeds:
Fear not. I will speak for you.
Everyman:
I am as prepared as any man can be. It is time to enter God's realm. I give Him back my soul, placing my spirit into His loving, merciful hands. Now, I die.
Everyman & Good Deeds:
(enter the grave, exit)
Knowledge:
(looks into grave)
Everyman has suffered what all must endure. But his Good Deeds will make everything secure. His suffering is over.
(glances around)
Is that an angel I hear? Yes! Everyman has been saved. Now I must go. Before I too fade away, maybe some of Everyman's Knowledge can help others prepare for their Day of Judgment?
(winks, slowly walks away, exits)
Angel:
(enters)
Come, Everyman. Because of your special virtues, to Heaven you shall go. Your soul has been taken from your body and its reckoning shows it to be crystal clear. Welcome to God's heavenly sphere.
(exits)
Doctor:
(enters, wisely)
Mortal men, keep this in mind: Pride will deceive you in the end. Beauty, Strength, Discretion and your Five Wits cannot follow you into the grave. Only your Good Deeds can. But beware! If your Good Deeds are too small, they cannot help you at all. There is no making amends after you are dead. But he who has a whole and solid account has nothing to fear, for God has already prepared a room for him in His Mansion. Thus ends this morality play of Everyman. Amen.
(exits)
The End