Listenener 4284 Syd Lexis Cruciverbal Creed

[Ruthrobin]

This is becoming rather sad - the third 'Goodbye crossword' in succession. What fine final words from Syd Lexis. Our thanks to him for years of enjoyment.

[Zabadak]

...and a decent enough offering it was too not too much obscurity and (for me) holding off on the quotation for long enough to prevent it becoming easy.
Maybe I should get my crossword construction skills honed.

[AHearer]

Sorry, Ruthrobin, I posted just before your posting popped up on my screen. As you say, sad to see another farewell crossword.
Not too difficult a solve, but the only place I could find the quotation was in a presentation about legal drafting!

[Zabadak]

"...the quotation was in a presentation about legal drafting!" And a Powerpoint presentation as well! Sic transit....

[starwalker]

Another sad finale indeed. And where would we be without Google ? I have no idea of the name of the poet - the quotation, as found, was enough. Thanks Syd Lexis for many years of entertainment. Now, back to Magpie and Magoo.

[Zabadak]

He's quite findable with the information you have at your disposal - even without googling the quotation.

[emcee]

Agree with all the above. I only had two hits from Googling!

Thanks to Syd Lexis -- another fine setter who we shall miss.

[flocker]

A somewhat more generous preamble than usual - so just a question of locating the work in question, unravelling a few highly intricate clues and checking off the unclued entries against the extra letters just to make sure. Enjoyed it and had no idea of the sad occasion.The quote can also be googled without the Powerpoint. I was unsure if one of the unclueds quite matched the others but Chambers confirms it.

[Ruthrobin]

Not really a situation for humour that so many of our fine compilers have left us but a compiling friend has commented to me that there would be real cause for concern if the editors suddenly told us that ours was appearing next weekend.

[trux]

Must agree with all that's been said above. Solved most of it from my office and then completed one more awkward corner after supper. Perhaps tame, but still most elegantly disposed. Easier than many of Syd L's puzzles in the past (always fair and often highly entertaining). A fond farewell and many thanks to the man.

[Contrarian]

Enjoyable, if slightly formulaic. Never heard of the poet, I'm afraid.

[fyellin]

A question for long-time (> 15years) solvers of the Listener.

Are the puzzles getting harder because the setters know that we have the easy ability to search more information? Or is the level about the same?

Would this puzzle, involving an obscure poet with an interesting quotation, have appeared fifteen years ago? What about the puzzle a few months ago that required knowing the names of those who signed the king's death warrant?

[contendo]

A relatively easy solve after a tough few weeks. An obscure quotation maybe, but I suppose you could deduce everything even without being able to tracdk it down.

[contendo]

Or track even.

[borealis]

Fun, and a nice quote that I should have known.
I've met the poet, whose eyes would twinkle with Syd's use of "Creed". Yes, AHearer, most appropriate to lawyers; others (politicians?) could also use this as a Creed. Are you still watching these threads, Alekhine? You might have recognised the literary style.
Well, back to my rocky topsoil with a none-too sharp shovel, failing to obey this Creed in the process!

[Scorpius]

Yes, another very sad loss.

Having finished the puzzle I've absolutely no idea of the novel or the poet. Googling the last three words gave me only one hit, which had the whole quotation (enabling me to complete some gaps in the north-east) but no other legible information. A downloaded file was unreadable on my computer (I don't have Powerpoint) and I cannot find anything in ODQ, checking various words in the index.
Thank goodness no highlighting or writing something under the grid is required.

[Jogler]

What an interesting puzzle. Like others we only found the quotation in an unreadable form but are glad we persevered and found the author in order to read up on him. The Wikipedia entry is very nicely written and I particularly liked the poem it included. The quotation prompted me to reread Orwell's Politics and the English Language - so a good morning all round!

[s_pugh]

Sad to see another valedictory puzzle, but after a few less enjoyable ones it was nice to return to one that was both mildly challenging and educational at the same time; I'd never heard of the writer / poet so it was interesting to learn something new.

[doctormatt]

Not too difficult but an interesting reference.

[tilbee]

As already stated by Contendo no need to identify the poet or research the quotation for a complete solution. However given the comments here I shall persevere to locate this.

[upsetter]

Enjoyable if a bit Spectatorish.