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A Household Book of English Poetry
A Household Book of English Poetry

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of A Household Book of English Poetry is here in full — 313 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
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If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.
What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?
They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.
Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.
And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Household Book of English Poetry

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of A Household Book of English Poetry is here in full — 313 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.
Line 2
What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?
Line 3
They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.
Line 4
Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.
Line 5
And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

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.

aspire verb US /əˈspaɪr/

have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

From this reading “Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.”

baits noun US /beɪts/

plural of “bait” — anything that serves as an enticement

From this reading “What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?”

fry verb US /fraɪ/

be excessively hot

From this reading “What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?”

hoof noun US /huːf/

the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading “And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.”

lyre noun US /laɪr/

a harp used by ancient Greeks for accompaniment

From this reading “Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.”

quicken verb US /ˈkwɪkən/

move faster

From this reading “If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.”

wolf's noun US /wʊlfs/

possessive form of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

worded verb US /ˈwɜːrdɪd/

past form of “word” — put into words or an expression

From this reading “What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?”

All words in this reading · 115

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.

15

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

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

20

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

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

25

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

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

31

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

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

35

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

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

agenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

aidedadjectiveUS /ˈeɪdəd/

having help; often used as a combining form

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

aloofadjectiveUS /əˈluːf/

remote in manner

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

applausenounUS /əˈplɔːz/

a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

aspireverbUS /əˈspaɪr/

have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

ass's

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

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

baitsnounUS /beɪts/

plural of “bait” — anything that serves as an enticement

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

balladry

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

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

blackadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

brainnounUS /breɪn/

that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

Cannot

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

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

causenounUS /kɑːz/

events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

chariotnounUS /ˈtʃeriət/

a light four-wheel horse-drawn ceremonial carriage

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

conceits

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

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

crownnounUS /kraʊn/

the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/

delicately beautiful

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

dieverbUS /daɪ/

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

endureverbUS /enˈdjʊr/

put up with something or somebody unpleasant

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

falseadjectiveUS /fɔːls/

not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

FortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/

an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

freeverbUS /friː/

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

fryverbUS /fraɪ/

be excessively hot

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

greedyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːdi/

immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

henceadverbUS /hens/

for this reason

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

highadjectiveUS /haɪ/

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

hoofnounUS /huːf/

the foot of an ungulate mammal

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

issueverbUS /ˈɪʃuː/

prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

Japhet's

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

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

jawverbUS /dʒɔː/

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

Jove's

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

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

Letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

linenounUS /laɪn/

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

lyrenounUS /laɪr/

a harp used by ancient Greeks for accompaniment

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

MakeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

MindsnounUS /maɪndz/

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

pagenounUS /peɪdʒ/

one side of one leaf (of a book or magazine or newspaper or letter etc.) or the written or pictorial matter it contains

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

pausenounUS /pɔːz/

a time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

piteousadjective

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

poesynoun

literature in metrical form

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

quickenverbUS /ˈkwɪkən/

move faster

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

reproofnoun

an act or expression of criticism and censure

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

SafeadjectiveUS /seɪf/

free from danger or the risk of harm

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

scornnounUS /skɔːrn/

lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

Shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/

from a time in the past until now

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

singverbUS /sɪŋ/

deliver by singing

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

Sol's

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

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

stagenounUS /steɪdʒ/

any distinct time period in a sequence of events

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

strainnounUS /streɪn/

(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

StrikeverbUS /straɪk/

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

strumpetnoun

a woman adulterer

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

theepronounUS /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

thyself

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

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

tisnounUS /tɪz/

plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

VirtuenounUS /ˈvɝː.tʃuː/

Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.

From this reading If hence thy silence be, As ’tis too just a cause, Let this thought quicken thee: 15 Minds that are great and free, Should not on Fortune pause; ’Tis crown enough to Virtue still, her own applause.

waitsnounUS /weɪts/

plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited

From this reading They die with their conceits, And only piteous scorn upon their folly waits.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

wolf'snounUS /wʊlfs/

possessive form of “wolf” — any of various predatory carnivorous canine mammals of North America and Eurasia that usually hunt in packs

From this reading And since our dainty age 31 Cannot endure reproof, Make not thyself a page To that strumpet the stage, But sing high and aloof, 35 Safe from the wolf’s black jaw, and the dull ass’s hoof.

wordedverbUS /ˈwɜːrdɪd/

past form of “word” — put into words or an expression

From this reading What though the greedy fry Be taken with false baits 20 Of worded balladry, And think it poesy?

worldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Then take in hand thy lyre, 25 Strike in thy proper strain, With Japhet’s line, aspire Sol’s chariot for new fire, To give the world again: Who aided him, will thee, the issue of Jove’s brain.

Chapter 2 of A Household Book of English Poetry by Richard Chenevix [Compiler] Trench holds 313 sentences, grouped into 63 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, 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 2 of A Household Book of English Poetry contain?

Chapter 2 holds 313 sentences of A Household Book of English Poetry, unabridged, divided into 63 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of A Household Book of English Poetry by Richard Chenevix [Compiler] Trench exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 313 sentences, grouped into 63 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 2 of A Household Book of English Poetry?

Work through the 63 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 63 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Household Book of English Poetry

Common questions about reading A Household Book of English Poetry by Richard Chenevix [Compiler] Trench on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of A Household Book of English Poetry?

Yes. All 3408 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #55496 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of A Household Book of English Poetry is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #55496, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does A Household Book of English Poetry take to read?

About 284 minutes of reading across 682 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read A Household Book of English Poetry section by section

How to work through A Household Book of English Poetry section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 11 chapters of A Household Book of English Poetry 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 Household Book of English Poetry

Words and structures a reader meets early in A Household Book of English Poetry, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Richard
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Household Book of English Poetry; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chenevix
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Household Book of English Poetry; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Trench
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Household Book of English Poetry; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Preface
A word that appears in the opening chapter of A Household Book of English Poetry; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.