[John Whitworth]

'How pleasant to know Mr Lear...' 'How unpleasant to know Mr Eliot...' So begins Edward Lear's self-portrait in verse and T.S. Eliot's response. You are invited to continue either for a further fifteen lines, substituting the name of the poet of your choice, or sticking to the originals if you prefer. Entries to Competition 2616 by midday on 30 September or email lucy@spectator.co.uk

The Cautionary Tale had only one Spherean winner. Guess who? Yes Bill Greenwell, that mighty man. The Spectator is not allowing you to see copies of the magazine until they are a week old, so you'll have to wait to see Bill's excellent verse. It also means you have to wait for compatition news until I have got my own Speccie through the post about midday Friday, a day and a bit later than was usual.

This one looks a goodie, don't you think? So much so that I did my own,
just like that. I'll give you it on a response to the thread.