T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 554

LH 9/3/42 25-171 A/C Shaw R.A.F. Detachment Miranshah Fort Waziristan India Dear Isha - I have changed stations, since I wrote to you or heard from you; changed, on the whole, for the better, though this is a lonely and tiny fort, outside whose barbed wire we are not allowed to go, without precautions. This is the first book of the Odyssey. I shall not be hurt or dim pointed if your publisher friends, having read it, say "No" to the idea of my doing the rest. This is the sixth edition, en- closed. I tell you that as sign that I have not scamped work on it, and that it has been difficult. Only the unusual size of the translation fee would reconcile me to doing 24 books like this; and I shall, on the whole, be glad if they call it not good enough. Homer is a very great and exacting leader. If, on the other hand, they say "Yes", then some sort of a contract will have to be got out. Will you, in that unlikely event, put me into touch with them? Did I ever thank you for your Voltaire letter? A facsimile of extraordinary skill; and incidentally a tribute to the good taste and skill of Voltaire himself. I hope your Boswell materials are working out to please you. Yours T.E.SHAW This was typed on the Flight Office typewriter, which stammers, over certain keys, insurably. Forgive it. We are in Waziristan. 397