It is therefore expedient, seeing you are resolved for once to take a trial of the state of marriage, that, with shut eyes, bowing your head, and kissing the ground, you put the business to a venture, and give it a fair hazard, in recommending the success of the residue to the disposure of Almighty God.

It lieth not in my power to give you any other manner of assurance, or otherwise to certify you of what shall ensue on this your undertaking.

Nevertheless, if it please you, this you may do.

Bring hither Virgil's poems, that after having opened the book, and with our fingers severed the leaves thereof three several times, we may, according to the number agreed upon betwixt ourselves, explore the future hap of your intended marriage.

For frequently by a Homeric lottery have many hit upon their destinies; as is testified in the person of Socrates, who, whilst he was in prison, hearing the recitation of this verse of Homer, said of Achilles in the Ninth of the Iliads-- Emati ke tritato Phthien eribolon ikoimen, We, the third day, to fertile Pthia came-- thereby foresaw that on the third subsequent day he was to die.