4 JANUARY 1992, Page 37

No. 1711: Lear improved

If Nahum Tate rewrote one Lear, why shouldn't you rewrite the other? Lear's limericks have struck many as weak be- cause of the way the last line echoes the first. So new limericks, please, starting with one of Lear's first lines and going on as you please. Entries to 'Competition No. 1711' by 17 January.