T. E. Lawrence Correspondence – Page 609

338171 A/c Shaw R.A.F. Mount Batten Plymouth 18. X. 52 Dear Celandine In Athens was a gentleman called Hippoclides who became engaged to a rich merchant's daughter, and they arranged him a slap-up and splendid marriage. The feast preceding it was too much for his poor head, though. He stood on his head on the table and did a toe-dance, which was objectionable in shocked merchant "You dare your marriage off." "Tyworri!" said Hippoclides: and Herodotus tells the tale so beautifully in Cnidus Hill is to be a cave upon its holisme. This I dare is there shall be nothing exquisite or unique in it, Nothing to anchor me. I'm glad you saw the little place. When all that fuss inside is cleared out it will be a very habitable and restful place. I am fond of it, and hope to live there, after I leave the R.A.F., which at latest is 1955: and will be earlier if I get old suddenly. E.H. himself, spurred by your news, wrote to me from Holly Copse. Sounded like himself too. I told him that I would inflict myself upon you one of these winter weekends, after my mother has sailed. So prepare your garage for an oily visitor. I wonder if you saw old Theodore Powys at Chaldon. He writes too much - or brings out now for publication too many of the books he has written: but they are good. A strange old fellow, sitting above Chaldon in a brick villa like a broken bit of Bournemouth - and hating all the countryside. Yours T.E.Shaw No: your tenant was quite respectably dressed, but spoke only broken English. Probably took me for the police on Fri's track. I can now ascertain your absence without dismounting, by inspecting the brass face of Xto on the door.