The sceptre in Mycenæ wealth-renown’d! Such prayer the people made; then Nestor shook The helmet, and forth leaped, whose most they wished, The lot of Ajax. Throughout all the host To every chief and potentate of Greece,215 From right to left the herald bore the lot By all disown’d; but when at length he reach’d The inscriber of the lot, who cast it in, Illustrious Ajax, in his open palm The herald placed it, standing at his side.220 He, conscious, with heroic joy the lot Cast at his foot, and thus exclaim’d aloud. My friends! the lot is mine,[8] and my own heart Rejoices also; for I nothing doubt That noble Hector shall be foil’d by me.225 But while I put mine armor on, pray all In silence to the King Saturnian Jove, Lest, while ye pray, the Trojans overhear. Or pray aloud, for whom have we to dread? No man shall my firm standing by his strength230 Unsettle, or for ignorance of mine Me vanquish, who, I hope, brought forth and train’d In Salamis, have, now, not much to learn. He ended. They with heaven-directed eyes The King in prayer address’d, Saturnian Jove.235 Jove! glorious father! who from Ida’s height Controlest all below, let Ajax prove Victorious; make the honor all his own! Or, if not less than Ajax, Hector share Thy love and thy regard, divide the prize240 Of glory, and let each achieve renown! Then Ajax put his radiant armor on, And, arm’d complete, rush’d forward. As huge Mars To battle moves the sons of men between Whom Jove with heart-devouring thirst inspires245 Of war, so moved huge Ajax to the fight, Tower of the Greeks, dilating with a smile His martial features terrible; on feet, Firm-planted, to the combat he advanced Stride after stride, and shook his quivering spear.250 Him viewing, Argos’ universal host Exulted, while a panic loosed the knees Of every Trojan; even Hector’s heart Beat double, but escape for him remain’d None now, or to retreat into his ranks255 Again, from whom himself had challenged forth. Ajax advancing like a tower his shield Sevenfold, approach’d. It was the labor’d work Of Tychius, armorer of matchless skill, Who dwelt in Hyla; coated with the hides260 Of seven high-pamper’d bulls that shield he framed For Ajax, and the disk plated with brass. Advancing it before his breast, the son Of Telamon approach’d the Trojan Chief, And face to face, him threatening, thus began.265 Now, Hector, prove, by me alone opposed, What Chiefs the Danaï can furnish forth In absence of the lion-hearted prince Achilles, breaker of the ranks of war. He, in his billow-cleaving barks incensed270 Against our leader Agamemnon, lies; But warriors of my measure, who may serve To cope with thee, we want not; numerous such Are found amongst us. But begin the fight. To whom majestic Hector fierce in arms.275 Ajax! heroic leader of the Greeks! Offspring of Telamon! essay not me With words to terrify, as I were boy. Or girl unskill’d in war;[9] I am a man Well exercised in battle, who have shed280