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A Child's Garden of Verses
A Child's Garden of Verses

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of A Child's Garden of Verses is here in full — 95 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for A Child's Garden of Verses
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:
For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!
And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!
R. L. S.
To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Child's Garden of Verses

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of A Child's Garden of Verses is here in full — 95 sentences across 19 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:
Line 2
For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!
Line 3
And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!
Line 4
R. L. S.
Line 5
To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Nights noun US /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading “For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:”

All words in this reading · 121

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

Alison

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

And

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

angel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

as

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

at

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

awake

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Bed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Boats

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

book

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

bore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

bright

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

child

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

childish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

Children

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

clime

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

comfortable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

comforted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Cunningham

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

days

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

dear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

Duty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

every

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

find

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

fireside

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

first

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

For

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Foreign

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Forward

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

From

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

Go

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Good

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

grant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

hand

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

happy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

hear

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

Heaven

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

hold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

II

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

III

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

In

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

infant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

it

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

IV

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

IX

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

kind

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

L

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading R. L. S.

land

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Lands

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

led

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

life

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

lists

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

little

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

long

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Looking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

May

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

me

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Mother

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

my

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

need

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

Night-Thought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

nightsnounUS /naɪts/

Periods of darkness between sunset and sunrise.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

nurse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

nursery

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

old

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

pains

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Pirate

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

pitied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

Play

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

R

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading R. L. S.

Rain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

read

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

rejoice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

rhyme

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

S

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading R. L. S.

sad

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

sake

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Sea-Side

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

second

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

sick

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

Singing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Story

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

story-books

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Summer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Take

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

That

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Thought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

through

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

To

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Travel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

uneven

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

unworthy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

V

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

VI

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

VII

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

VIII

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

voice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

watched

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

Where

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

who

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And grant it, Heaven, that all who read May find as dear a nurse at need, And every child who lists my rhyme, In the bright, fireside, nursery clime, May hear it in as kind a voice As made my childish days rejoice!

Whole

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

Wife

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

Windy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

X

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

XI

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

XII

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

XIII

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

XIV

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

yore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For all you pitied, all you bore, In sad and happy days of yore:-- My second Mother, my first Wife, The angel of my infant life-- From the sick child, now well and old, Take, nurse, the little book you hold!

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Young

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading To Alison Cunningham I Bed in Summer II A Thought III At the Sea-Side IV Young Night-Thought V Whole Duty of Children VI Rain VII Pirate Story VIII Foreign Lands IX Windy Nights X Travel XI Singing XII Looking Forward XIII A Good Play XIV Where Go the Boats?

your

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For the long nights you lay awake And watched for my unworthy sake: For your most comfortable hand That led me through the uneven land: For all the story-books you read: For all the pains you comforted:

Chapter 1 of A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson holds 95 sentences, grouped into 19 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of A Child's Garden of Verses contain?

Chapter 1 holds 95 sentences of A Child's Garden of Verses, unabridged, divided into 19 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 95 sentences, grouped into 19 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of A Child's Garden of Verses?

Work through the 19 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 19 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading A Child's Garden of Verses

Common questions about reading A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Child's Garden of Verses?

Yes. All 318 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #136 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Child's Garden of Verses is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #136, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Child's Garden of Verses take to read?

About 26 minutes of reading across 64 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Child's Garden of Verses section by section

How to work through A Child's Garden of Verses section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 3 chapters of A Child's Garden of Verses to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in A Child's Garden of Verses

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Child's Garden of Verses, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Nights
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's Garden of Verses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Awake
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's Garden of Verses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Watched
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's Garden of Verses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Unworthy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Child's Garden of Verses; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.