Watching the World Cup

Madam, - Margaret Butler complains (June 14th) that "it is the pre-match, mid-match and post-match discussions that threaten [ …

Madam, - Margaret Butler complains (June 14th) that "it is the pre-match, mid-match and post-match discussions that threaten [ her] sanity. And they say men don't talk!" May I reassure her that, as so often, William Shakespeare has been there, done that, and worn the jersey.

In Act 2, Scene 1 of King John, we find these lines: He gives the bastinado with his tongue:/ Our ears are cudgell'd; not a word of his/ But buffets better than a fist of France: /Zounds! I was never so bethump'd with words.

I'm sure Ms Butler will have her own target on whom these lines can be pinned. - Yours, etc,

MAURICE A. O'SULLIVAN, Ashton Wood, Bray, Co Wicklow.