16 DECEMBER 1989, Page 45

No. 1607: Abecedarian

We all know 'An Austrian army, awfully arrayed,/ Boldly, by battery, besieged Bel- grade.' You are challenged to write a similar 'alphabet' poem, covering 12 con- secutive letters, either rhymed (very diffi- cult) or in blank verse. Entries to 'Com- petition No. 1607' by 5 January.