13 FEBRUARY 1988, Page 39

What Price the Muse?

Fool, said my Muse, don't look into that heart For it is an imaginary part.

As to the past, the best is to be dumb And of the future say: It's still to come.

The present, then? There's nothing that can match it; The only trouble is, you cannot catch it.

C. H. Sisson