Seven Pillars of Wisdom

DAMASCUS HAD NOT SEEMED A SHEATH FOR MY SWORD, WHEN I LANDED IN ARABIA: BUT ITS CAPTURE DISCLOSED THE EXHAUSTION OF MY MAIN SPRINGS OF ACTION.

THE STRONGEST MOTIVE THROUGHOUT HAD BEEN A PERSONAL ONE, NOT MENTIONED HERE, BUT PRESENT TO ME, I THINK, EVERY HOUR OF THESE TWO YEARS. ACTIVE PAINS AND JOYS MIGHT FLING UP, LIKE TOWERS, AMONG MY DAYS: BUT, REFLUENT AS AIR, THIS HIDDEN URGE RE-FORMED, TO BE THE PERSISTING ELEMENT OF LIFE, TILL NEAR THE END. IT WAS DEAD, BEFORE WE REACHED DAMASCUS.