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EVERYMAN
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.
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.
French scene
Messenger.
I pray you all gyue your audyence,
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And here this mater with reuerence,
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By fygure a morall playe.
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The Somonynge of Eueryman called it is,
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That of our lyues and endynge shewes
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How transytory we be all daye.
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This mater is wonders precyous;
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But the entent of it is more gracyous,
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And swete to bere awaye.
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The story sayth: Man, in the begynnynge
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Loke well, and take good heed to the endynge,
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Be you neuer so gay!
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Ye thynke synne in the begynnynge full swete,
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Whiche in the ende causeth the soule to wepe,
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Whan the body lyeth in claye.
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Here shall you se how Felawshyp / and Iolyte,
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Bothe / Strengthe / Pleasure / and Beaute,
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Wyll fade from the as floure in Maye;
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For ye shall here how our Heuen Kynge
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Calleth Eueryman to a generall rekenynge.
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Gyue audyence, and here what he doth saye.
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