The Seafarer

Great is the fear of the Lord,
before which the world stands still;
He established
the firm foundations,
the corners of the world
and the high heavens.
A fool is the one who does not fear his Lord
-- death comes to him unprepared.
Blessed is he who lives humbly
-- to him comes forgiveness from heaven.
God set that spirit within him,
because he believed in His might.

--from "The Seafarer", an Old English poem found in the Exeter Book