Part 3 (1/2)

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ My true friend, show to me your mind; I will not forsake thee, unto my life's end, In the way of good company.

_Everyman._ That was well spoken, and lovingly.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ Sir, I must needs know your heaviness; I have pity to see you in any distress; If any have you wronged ye shall revenged be, Though I on the ground be slain for thee,-- Though that I know before that I should die.

_Everyman._ Verily, _Fellows.h.i.+p_, gramercy.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ Tus.h.!.+ by thy thanks I set not a straw.

Show me your grief, and say no more.

_Everyman._ If I my heart should to you break, And then you to turn your mind from me, And would not me comfort, when you hear me speak, Then should I ten times sorrier be.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ Sir, I say as I will do in deed.

_Everyman._ Then be you a good friend at need: I have found you true here before.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ And so ye shall evermore; For, in faith, and thou go to h.e.l.l, I will not forsake thee by the way!

_Everyman._ Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well; I shall deserve it, and I may.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ I speak of no deserving, by this day.

For he that will say and nothing do Is not worthy with good company to go; Therefore show me the grief of your mind, As to your friend most loving and kind.

_Everyman._ I shall show you how it is; Commanded I am to go a journey, A long way, hard and dangerous, And give a strait count without delay Before the high judge Adonai.[11]

Wherefore I pray you, bear me company, As ye have promised, in this journey.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ That is matter indeed! Promise is duty, But, and I should take such a voyage on me, I know it well, it should be to my pain: Also it make me afeard, certain.

But let us take counsel here as well as we can, For your words would fear a strong man.

_Everyman._ Why, ye said, If I had need, Ye would me never forsake, quick nor dead, Though it were to h.e.l.l truly.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ So I said, certainly, But such pleasures be set aside, thee sooth to say: And also, if we took such a journey, When should we come again?

_Everyman._ Nay, never again till the day of doom.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ In faith, then will not I come there!

Who hath you these tidings brought?

_Everyman._ Indeed, _Death_ was with me here.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ Now, by G.o.d that all hath bought, If _Death_ were the messenger, For no man that is living to-day I will not go that loath journey-- Not for the father that begat me!

_Everyman._ Ye promised other wise, pardie.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ I wot well I say so truly; And yet if thou wilt eat, and drink, and make good cheer, Or haunt to women, the l.u.s.ty company, I would not forsake you, while the day is clear, Trust me verily!

_Everyman._ Yea, thereto ye would be ready; To go to mirth, solace, and play, Your mind will sooner apply Than to bear me company in my long journey.

_Fellows.h.i.+p._ Now, in good faith, I will not that way.

But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill, In that I will help thee with a good will!

_Everyman._ O that is a simple advice indeed!

Gentle _fellow_, help me in my necessity; We have loved long, and now I need, And now, gentle _Fellows.h.i.+p_, remember me.