[Milton-L] Fw: "Milton Regained . . ." by Charles McGrath

[Carol Barton]

Because he's *not,* Carroll.

Because when the City of London wanted to put up a plaque saying only 
"poet," and I proposed that they add "statesman," I had to write a 
brief justifying that augmentation. To employees of the Corporation of 
London. In England. Within walking distance from the place where he 
was born. Within a couple of miles of most of the houses in which he 
resided, during his lifetime.

You will soon be able to read it for yourself on a website that Lord 
Howe asked me to prepare, chronicling the history of the plaque. It's 
only in draft right now, subject to vetting.

Because today the Earl Howe and Sir Michael Savory--in England, in 
London, in the Bread Street Ward--have been asked by the Prince of 
Wales to help him re-educate the British nation concerning him.

If my "protesting too much" while you protest not at all means 
anything, then I accept the charge of not having grown up. Milton has, 
in my estimation, endured real and imagined insults for far too long. 
In his quadricentenary, it's high time we spoke up.

Best to all,

Carol Barton


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carrol Cox" <cbcox at ilstu.edu>
To: "John Milton Discussion List" <milton-l at lists.richmond.edu>
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 8:40 PM
Subject: Re: [Milton-L] Fw: "Milton Regained . . ." by Charles McGrath


> When I was in grad school 50 years ago I too would get all hot under 
> the
> collar when someone (in my estimation) aspersed one of the writers 
> most
> dear to me (in chronological order, Milton, Pope, Austen, Pound) --  
> but
> I grew up and ceased to worry about such things. Perhaps it's time 
> for
> Milton scholars to grow up as well. Of course men and women of great
> achievement (past and present) are going to attract real and 
> imagined
> insults. So what. Why are Milton scholars so extraordinarily 
> sensitive.
> One is nearly tempted to mutter, Methinks the lady doth protest too
> much. Gee -- he is a poet almost universally regarded with awe; why 
> all
> the hullabaloo.
>
> Carrol
>
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