What poor despisèd company Of travelers are these, That walk in yonder narrow way, Along that rugged maze? Ah, these are of a royal line, All children of a king; Heirs of immortal crowns divine, And lo! for joy they sing. Why do they then appear so mean, And why so much despisèd? Because of their rich robes unseen, The world is not apprisèd. But some of them seem poor distressed, And lacking daily bread; Ah, they’re of boundless wealth possessed, With hidden manna fed. But why keep they that narrow road, That rugged thorny maze? Why, that’s the way their leader trod, They love and keep His ways. Why must they shun the pleasant path, That worldlings love so well? Because that is the road to death, The open road to hell. What, is there then no other road, To Salem’s happy ground? Christ is the only way to God, None other can be found.