Chapter VIII · Among Friends

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

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

(sentence connectors) because of the reason given

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

(of mail) marked with a destination

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

later than; following

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

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

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

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

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

have an ambitious plan or a lofty goal

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

achieved or reached

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

the act of being present (at a meeting or event etc.)

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

playing or singing with instrumental or vocal accompaniment

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

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

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

a solicitation for money or food (especially in the street by an apparently penniless person)

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

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

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

the particular occupation for which you are trained

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

an ascetic Muslim monk; a member of an order noted for devotional exercises involving bodily movements

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

worth having or seeking or achieving

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

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

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

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

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

any strong feeling

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

divisible by two

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

a Muslim or Hindu mendicant monk who is regarded as a holy man

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

the sixth day of the week; the fifth working day

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

brought together in one place

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

possessive form of “god” — the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

deeply religious

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

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

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

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

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

an old form of “have”, used with “thou”

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

a sacred place of pilgrimage

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

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

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

go away from a place

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

possessive form of “lord” — terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

the force of workers available

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

(Islam) a Muslim place of worship that usually has a minaret

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

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

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

an old word for “no”

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

absolutely essential

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

not any; not one

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

the middle of the day

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

the state of being without a flaw or defect

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

plural of “prayer” — the act of communicating with a deity (especially as a petition or in adoration or contrition or thanksgiving)

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

persuasion formulated as a suggestion

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

a day of rest and worship: Sunday for most Christians; Saturday for the Jews and a few Christians; Friday for Muslims

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

declared as fact; explicitly stated

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

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

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

carry out

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

plural of “tell” — a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

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

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

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

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

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

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

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

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

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

From this reading Thou callest thyself a Dervish, and some call thee Musháekh, or holy one, but thou hast not attained even the rank of a Fakeer.

up to a particular time

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

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

From this reading After the noontide devotions, there gathered round the old Syud a great number of people, and he thought it a good opportunity to take leave of them.

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

with unflagging resolve

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

plural of “whisper” — speaking softly without vibration of the vocal cords

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

which person or people

From this reading But man's will is not God's will, and my heart tells me, nay, whispers to me unceasingly, by the Lord's prompting, 'Thou hast not attained what is desirable and necessary for those who aspire to perfection in the holy calling of a true Syud.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading The next day being Friday, or the Sabbath, there was a larger attendance than usual in the mosque, for all God-fearing men, and some women with them, did no work, and attended the stated prayers.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Accordingly, after begging all to be seated, he addressed them much as follows:-- "You have been kind to me, friends," he said, in a voice much broken by emotion, "and, had it been the will of the Disposer of all events, I would have remained with you till I died.