No 10312, Friday 18 Nov 11, M Manna

ACROSS

1   - Ask for a translation of Gray in dire poverty (7) - BEGGARY {BEG}{GARY*}

5   - Thanks to poets for peasant's overcoats (7) - TABARDS {TA}{BARDS}

10 - Ancient Arab gold coins of 65 grains weight (6) - DINARS [E]

11 - Platforms carrying cameras (8) - ROSTRUMS [CD]

12 - River likely to hinder mischievous child to somehow return (6) - IMPEDE {IMP}{DEE*}

13 - The parsimony of the average head! (8) - MEANNESS {MEAN}{NESS}

14 - Half the drink gone and a man's at his lowest (6) - BOTTOM {BOTtle}{TOM}

15 - Such clouds are not seen in submarine, manoeuvring (6) - NIMBUS SUBMarINe*           

18 - The French prepared to get near her (6) - ARLENE {LE+NEAR}*

20 - Diana's wayward nymphs (6) - NAIADS*

23 - They learn to take a short break in giving marks (8) - SCHOLARS {SC{HOLd}ARS}

25 - Where a thing began with a girl losing her head and taking drink (6) - ORIGIN {lORI}{GIN}

26 - Pure ales brewed for enjoyment (8) - PLEASURE*

27 - Theatrical entertainment possibly staged at Madras (6) - DRAMAS*

28 - Deletes error when so encouraged (7) - STEELED*

29 - Disasters in which little credit remains (7) - CRASHES {CR}{ASHES}

DOWN

2   - Mystery in game was unravelled (6) - ENIGMA*

3   - Give a girl money for a musical extra (5,4) - GRACE NOTE {GRACE} {NOTE}

4   - Is it engendered by a sceptre? (7) - RESPECT*

6   - Vote not to (7) - ABSTAIN [CD]

7   - On reflection Dad suggests Ron for a formal dress (5) - APRON {AP<-}{RON}

8   - Curse a stop up, to mid-east capital (8) - DAMASCUS {DAM+A+CUSS}*

9   - Brief preacher recognised as a national leader (5,8) - PRIME MINISTER {PRIME} {MINISTER}

16 - Two graduates and I join American girls for unaccompanied songs (9) - MADRIGALS {MA}{DR}{I}{GALS}

17 - An arm-band or two permitted (8) - BRACELET {BRACE}{LET}

19 - Time certain for removal from the record (7) - ERASURE {ERA}{SURE}

21 - Appropriate suggestion of purpose (2,5) - IN ORDER [DD]

22 - Talk foolishly about one robber in the main (6) - PIRATE {P{I}RATE}

24 - Ask to rate a formal speech (5) - ORATE [T] 

GRID