“Now let us cast the lot for all, and see To whom it falls; for greatly will he aid The nobly-armed Achaians, and as great Will be his share of honor should he come Alive from the hard trial of the fight.”
Then each one marked his lot, and all were cast Into the helm of Agamemnon, son Of Atreus. All the people lifted up Their hands in prayer to the ever-living gods, And turned their eyes to the broad heaven, and said:
“Grant, Father Jove, that Ajax, or the son Of Tydeus, or the monarch who bears rule In rich Mycenae may obtain the lot.”
Such was their prayer, while the Gerenian knight, Old Nestor, shook the lots; and from the helm Leaped forth the lot of Ajax, as they wished. A herald took it, and from right to left Bore it through all the assembly, showing it To all the leaders of the Greeks. No one Knew it, and all disclaimed it. When at last, Carried through all the multitude, it came To Ajax the renowned, who had