T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 508

LH 1/3/42 Karachi. 2/1/27 Dear Lahr It's an office typewriter, and my botching of ... case I need a copy of what I say to about Rosen's Odyssey. It has knotted out. Why should you be so much better me than myself? The money sug...sted is wonderful, how well they expect it to be done: and ...ever in my writing. Agreed the reviewers when "Revolt" came out: but they speak per cent of the books they notice, so ...st and in my case they were also astonished a man could write at all. To clamor of him able to sit up"... as they'd say of a toy dog. When your letter came, I took the Odyssey down from the shelf, (it goes with me, always, to every camp, for I love it) and tried to see myself grami...ting it. Frankly, into English. Honestly, it would be awfully difficult to do. I have the rhythm of the Greek so in my mind, that it would ...ly into English. English. Nor am I a scholar; I read it only for pleasure, and have to keep a dictionary within reach. I thought of the other translators, and agreed that there was not a first-rate one. Butcher &...andre, too antique. Samuel Butler ... too little dignified, the' better. Worsley ... too literary. That only shows the job is it. Why should my doing be any better than those efforts of the bigger men? Bruce Rogers' dressing of the book will make it glorious, so that even an inferior version would pass muster. You are fortunate to be able to dine with him. I have for years admired him from ground level; and have even been able at intervals to buy books of his production. Of course I've never met him:- but you know, and he knows that he's the ideal of all those who have tried to produce books. Or perhaps I should say, of all who have gone far enough in the direction of producing books, to know what a job it is. It would be an awful thing if my share in the ... came did not quality its setting, in my own judg...nt. So let me make stiff terns, in the hope of being refused an honour which I feel too ... great for me to carry off successfully. I can not refuse so profitable an offer blindly. Vers-translation-would-be-