Poem by John Bunyan — To Be A Pilgrim

They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.   Hebrews 11:13

 He who would valiant be

Gainst all disaster,

Let him in constancy

Follow the Master.

There’s no discouragement

Shall make him once relent

His first avowed intent

To be a pilgrim.

Who so beset him round

With dismal stories,

To but themselves confound ----

His strength the more in

No lion can him fright;

He’ll with a giant fight

But he will have the right

To be a pilgrim.

Since, Lord, Thou dost defend

Us with Thy Spirit,

We know we at the end

Shall life inherit.

Then, fancies, flee away!

I’ll fear not, what men may say,

I’ll labor night and day

To be a pilgrim.