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 Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
Adventus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
ambassadors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
antechamber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
beard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
Caracalla
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
cautious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
costume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
curling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
cushions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
door
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
elderly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
emperor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
endeavoring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
escaping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
finely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
framing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
gorgeous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
grasped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
heroic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
hilt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
interpreter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
ivory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
laurel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
locks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
magnificently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
Melissa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
molded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
neighbor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
noticed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
Parthian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
personages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
Philostratus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
preceding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
Scarcely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
scarlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
scribes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
seated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
sinewy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
stately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
streamed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
sword
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
tablinum
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Scarcely had they left the antechamber than Adventus called Melissa and Philostratus to the emperor.
thick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
throne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Caracalla was seated on a raised throne of gold and ivory, with bright scarlet cushions.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
tiara
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
warrior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
wearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The door of the tablinum flew open, and through it streamed the Parthian ambassadors, seven stately personages, wearing the gorgeous costume of their country, and followed by an interpreter and several scribes.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.
wore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
wreath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As on the preceding day, he was magnificently dressed, and wore a laurel wreath on his head.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Melissa noticed how one of them, a young warrior with a fair beard framing his finely molded, heroic face, and thick, curling locks escaping from beneath his tiara, grasped the hilt of his sword in his sinewy hand, and how his neighbor, a cautious, elderly man, was endeavoring to calm him.