T. E. Lawrence to Bruce Rogers

8/1/30

Dear B. R.

Here are 7 and 8: passed after a check. You will observe that I have nearly reached finality in these two chapters. The eleventh-hour changes are minute.

The variability of tense, in the description of the palace of Alcinous, I put down to a convention. The poet got wrought up and embarked on the 'historic present.' Many bad writers (and some good) do.

Yes, please send me the original MS. and I will then copy you some more books and pass them in. I have several more ready to fair-copy.

Yours

T.E.S.

I don't quite know how my copyrights stand - or are they all the firm's? There was once talk of publishing the text as an ordinary book in England. I'd agree, if you did it as one of yours; but I should be sorry if it were done commercially. Have you any views? My shield and safety lies in its being a B-R book: if it comes out - here in England - on its merits as a translation, then I would carry the can.

America of course doesn't matter (in this respect only, I hasten to say!) but England is an annoying little gossip-shop. I enclose you one of my arguments. Do you think the firm would agree to refrain from commercial-publishing in England without my consent?

T.E.S.

I hope the Liverpool Post's description of your black-and-white reputation will make you laugh!