Spectator competition winners: stories behind the composition of famous poems

In Competition No. 3336 you were invited to supply the story behind the composition of a famous poem.

This challenge drew a smart and diverse entry that proved tricky to whittle down to a prizewinning half-dozen. But after lengthy consideration, D.A. Prince, Brian Murdoch and Paul Voogt are awarded commendations and those printed below earn their authors £25 each.

Dear Marlowe, so, you want to write poems to impress the London girls. Well, sonnets are still hot with the nobility, but let me tell you, Kit, rural idylls are all the rage! Think cheeping birds, pastoral imagery, sexy allusions to hills and valleys. Passionate, liberal shepherds go down a treat. The ladies go mad for tanned, strapping country swains and romps in the hay. Aim for sunny springtime, lambs, frisking, frolicking. Add a May morning reference; every lass longs to play May Queen. Avoid blunt mentions of rams or tupping. Concentrate on wanton airs, dalliance, pleasures.