The Prayer of Ajax
Ajax, surnamed the Greater, was King of Salamis, and one of the Greek heroes who acted a prominent part in the siege of Troy. He exceeded all other Greek warriors in strength and stature. It is frequently quoted, "The prayer of Ajax was for light." This famous prayer is found in Homer's Iliad, Book XVII., lines 727-731 (Pope's translation), and is as follows:
"Lord of earth and air;
O King, O Father, hear my humble prayer:
Dispel this cloud, the light of heaven restore;
Give me to see, and Ajax asks no more.
If Greece must perish, we thy will obey,
But let us perish in the face of day."
O King, O Father, hear my humble prayer:
Dispel this cloud, the light of heaven restore;
Give me to see, and Ajax asks no more.
If Greece must perish, we thy will obey,
But let us perish in the face of day."