I'm sending the MS of the Notes, but I'm afraid the job is too big for the time and attention you have to share. It will be necessary to study every line again in order to make sure that you have not misinterpreted. I have not the time to do this. A casual examination revealed several such misinterpretations. Ling 31, page 85 offers an example. There your note contradicts the factual statement of the text. There may not be many such errors, but any would be bad.
As you will see, I've made some corrections as to fact, as I expected to do; for the poem has a really vast background of fact with which you could not be expected to be familiar.
Have you the time + desire to make the notes sure throughout - that is, insofar as interpretation is concerned? I'll watch historical + geographical fact. We must get off to a good start with the poem, which is going to last long after we are through living. Your end of the job is more important than you may know, and I do get
The point is, that if you can't do the job, nobody can. There are several who would be glad to furnish notes, but they could not have your genuine love for the stuff, and they wouldn't be my comrades.
I do believe that if you can + want to concentrate on the job, the result can be made bully. But you would have to go over the whole thing with your attention focused on each front as you proceed.
If you should find obvious lines explained in the notes, you would strike out such notes. If you should find less obvious lines unexplained, you would add notes at such places. All that is needed is your whole attention.
I'd much rather hold up the publication of the book than to be doubtful in a matter of such vital importance.
Jno
P.S. and certainly important.
It is right that you should count the time you shall have spent on this job + let me send you a check when you're through. You should be paid at the rate of your present income; and I'll expect you to do this.
-Jno.
