2692: Flexibility

We welcome the duo called Madrigal to the compiling team this week. The unclued lights (including four of two words) can be arranged to provide a quotation (in ODQ) and its author.

Across

10    Learn of American through grammar school covers (6,4)

12    African country’s note covering one rule (6)

13    First-rate head polled children (3-5)

16    Song featured in Top of the Pops, almost every week  (5)

17    Instrument Luke played on the railway with energy (7)

18    Newcomer, one that yearns in Scotland?  (7)

20    Pure wits dismantled reviews (5-3)

26    Impress English with praise (7)

28    Distribute evenly in New York for speed (7)

31    Cabalist crumbled like rock (8)

34    Young boys are pickpockets (7)

36    Nothing souses drunk like a Costa? (7)

39    Close, perhaps, reporting depression (5)

40    Working a lever to lift (8)

41    Average out as in French summer (6)

42    Priests, perhaps, redeveloping Bern Castle (10)

43    Hardy fish in enclosure (6)

44    Northern calypso dancing cause of fainting fit (8)

Down

1 Titipu’s heroine anticipating a delicious meal? (3-3)

2 Male’s ire turns more petty (8)

3 Question European protection (6)

4 Strap in with ongoing cover (5)

6 Sisters displaying one in new style (4)

7 ‘Nothing to clear up in post’ is showing off (11)

8 Scottish stranger involved in gun control (4)

14    Briefly analyse standards (4)

16    Do pie recipe cooking from historical novel (6,5)

19    Expressing hesitation to depart so (4)

21    Fluid waste from ancient city river  (4)

22    Indulged animals offended feelings (4)

23    Clear out modern vehicle with a clever limiting of acceleration  (8)

24    Dog that has lifetime that is long (7)

27    Head over after liturgy’s slow passage (8)

30    Dubious character giving odds on four (4)

31    British routine that’s not sweet (4)

35    Slow, lazy obnoxious bodies suggested primarily (5)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on  17 March.