Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
An Egyptian Princess — Complete
An Egyptian Princess — Complete

Chapter XVII

Cover illustration for An Egyptian Princess — Complete
Context Illustration Reading 1/57 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

An Egyptian Princess — Complete

Chapter XVII

Reading 1/57 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.
Line 2
When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.
Line 3
As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.
Line 4
The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.
Line 5
His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

Learner Dictionary

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

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.”

Forward noun US /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.”

Repeated noun US /repeated/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.”

All words in this reading · 86

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 When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

all

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

announced

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

appointed

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

assisted

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

banquet

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

blind

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

Cambyses

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

carpet

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

ceremonies

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

chair

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

chamberlains

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

Croesus

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

entered

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

flourish

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

forwardnounUS /forward/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

golden

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

guests

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

hall

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

head

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

higher

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

Kassandane

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

king

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

led

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

marked

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

masters

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

meet

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

mother

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

multitude

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

near

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

noble

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

only

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

other

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

places

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

principal

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

purple

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

received

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

repeatednounUS /repeated/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

rose

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

Sardian

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

seat

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

seated

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

shout

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

somewhat

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

staff-bearers

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

steward

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

table

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

throne

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

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

thundering

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

trodden

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

trumpets

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

Victory

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

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

way

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

From this reading The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to be trodden by himself and Kassandane.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests as they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlains and masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that the king was near.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a throne somewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again and again repeated.