“Yea, if any be so hardy
That would go with thee and bear thee company,”
Death replied.
Then Everyman began to think of his friends, and to wonder which of them loved him well enough to go with him into the Valley of the Shadow of Death. And presently he saw Good Fellowship approaching. Now in this story “Good Fellowship” means all the companions with whom Everyman had spent gay and delightful hours—men with whom he had laughed and jested; men who had professed the greatest affection for him. So when he saw the smiling face of Fellowship, he was full of hope, and he went eagerly to meet him.
“Everyman, good-morrow by this day (said Fellowship);
Sir, why lookest thou so piteously?
If anything be amiss, I pray thee, me say,
That I may help to remedy.”
Everyman admitted that he was in great trouble, and nothing could have been kinder than Fellowship’s voice, as he declared himself ready to do anything for his friend. If any one had wronged him, he was ready to kill the offender. That he would never forsake his dear companion Everyman might rest assured.
So, greatly consoled, Everyman told him that he must take a long journey, and he begged that Fellowship would be his travelling companion. Then, for the first time, the gay and cheerful fellow began to look serious. “I promised not to forsake you,” he said; “but we must discuss the matter at greater length. If we took such a journey, when should we come again?”