The men stared at the chest. The lid was covered in an archaic script, but every man knew what the script said. They had been taught "The Cursed Chest" poem since childhood. It was meant to deter men such as themselves from opening the chest. It translated:
"Beware, ye fools, who open this chest.
Beware, ye fools, of what happens next.
Open this chest and you invite strife.
Beware, ye fools, you'll forfeit your life.
Open this chest and death you invite.
Beware, ye fools, you won't last the night."
One of them spoke up, "So, Captain, do we open it?"
