Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
Thus he spoke, and when each of them had marked his lot, and had
thrown it into the helmet of Agamemnon son of Atreus, the people
lifted their hands in prayer, and thus would one of them say as he
looked into the vault of heaven, “Father Jove, grant that the lot fall
on Ajax, or on the son of Tydeus, or upon the king of rich Mycene
himself.”
As they were speaking, Nestor knight of Gerene shook the helmet,
and from it there fell the very lot which they wanted- the lot of
Ajax. The herald bore it about and showed it to all the chieftains of
the Achaeans, going from left to right; but they none of of them
owned it. When, however, in due course he reached the man who
had written upon it and had put it into the helmet, brave Ajax held
out his hand, and the herald gave him the lot. When Ajax saw him
mark he knew it and was glad; he threw it to the ground and said,
“My friends, the lot is mine, and I rejoice, for I shall vanquish
Hector. I will put on my armour; meanwhile, pray to King Jove in
silence among yourselves that the Trojans may not hear you- or
aloud if you will, for we fear no man. None shall overcome me,
neither by force nor cunning, for I was born and bred in Salamis,
and can hold my own in all things.”
With this they fell praying to King Jove the son of Saturn, and thus
would one of them say as he looked into the vault of heaven,
“Father Jove that rulest from Ida, most glorious in power,
vouchsafe victory to Ajax, and let him win great glory: but if you
wish well to Hector also and would protect him, grant to each of
them equal fame and prowess.
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