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A Few Figs from Thistles
A Few Figs from Thistles

Chapter I

Cover illustration for A Few Figs from Thistles
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.
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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 Few Figs from Thistles

Chapter I

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.
Line 2
This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.
Line 3
My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!
Line 4
Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!
Line 5
We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

Learner Dictionary

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

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.”

Last noun US /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!”

Merry noun US /merry/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.”

Several noun US /ˈseveral/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.”

Stand noun US /stand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!”

All words in this reading · 81

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

ah

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

Ainslie's

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

all

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

back

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

built

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

burns

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

candle

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

ComenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

contains

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

Dial

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

due

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

earlier

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

edition

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

editions

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

editors

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

ends

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

FairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

ferry

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

Few

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

Figs

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

foes

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

forth

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

friends

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

gives

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

gone

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

houses

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

included

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

kind

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

light

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

lovely

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

merry

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

Mirror

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

night

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

oh

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

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

palace

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

Pearson's

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

permission

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

poems

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

Poetry

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

Reedy's

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

republish

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

rock

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

Safe

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

sand

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

see

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

several

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

shining

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

solid

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

stand

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

Thanks

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

Thistles

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

From this reading This edition of "A Few Figs from Thistles" contains several poems not included in earlier editions.

tired

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

ugly

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

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand: Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!

Vanity

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

various

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

From this reading Thanks are due to the editors of Ainslie's, The Dial, Pearson's Poetry, Reedy's Mirror, and Vanity Fair, for their kind permission to republish various of these poems.

very

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

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading We were very tired, we were very merry-- We had gone back and forth all night on the ferry.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- It gives a lovely light!