Everyman

After Death announces that Everyman must undertake a journey in order to be judged by God, he receives permission to bring a companion with him on his journey, though Death seems skeptical that anyone will be willing to follow Everyman. He turns to Cousin, Kindred, and Fellowship, but they all turn down his request despite their earlier promises of loyalty. Afterward, a dejected Everyman reflects upon these personal betrayals in a soliloquy that clarifies the allegorical status of these characters, all of whom are personified versions of various human qualities, virtues, or vices: 

First Fellowship said he would with me gone; 
His words were very pleasant and gay, 
But afterward he left me alone. 
Then spake I to my kinsmen all in despair, 
And also they gave me words fair, 
They lacked no fair speaking, 
But all forsake me in the ending. 
Then went I to my Goods that I loved best, 
In hope to have comfort, but there had I least; 
For my Goods sharply did me tell 
That he bringeth many into hell.

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