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 inscribed And laid it in the helmet, he stretched forth His hand, while at his side the herald stood, And took and looked upon it, knew his sign, And gloried as he looked, and cast it down Upon the ground before his feet, and said:⁠—