[Milton-L] The two-handed engine yet one more once

[Carol Barton]

Roy Flannagan wrote,

"After many years of reading more and more essays submitted to the 
Milton Quarterly, all trying to solve the mystery of what became known 
around the office as "that damned engine," I almost wrote an "I don't 
care what it is" note in the Riverside Milton. But instead I 
acknowledged that it is the most famous crux in English literature, 
and I cited summary articles by Carter Revard, J. Karl Franson, and 
Robert Fleissner. I wrote that "[s]cales of divine judgment, a sheep 
hook, shears of destiny, and the keys of St. Peter have all been 
suggested" by various critics. One of my colleagues in Ohio, after 
reading yet another manuscript, sent me the note, 'Of course it was a 
LAWNMOWER!'"

You know, Roy, that's not as off-the-wall as it sounds: I've always 
leaned toward a two-pronged or two-sided apparatus (envisioning one 
side that sends you to hell, and another that sends you to heaven--as 
most of the examples above seem to do). But as your colleague's 
comment suggests, perhaps all that is intended is a sword so heavy 
that it requires two hands to wield it . . . which is resonant then of 
Beowulf . . .

I wonder . . . ?

May we all count the blessings we have, rather than the cares, this 
Thanksgiving!

Best to all,


Carol Barton