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Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce
Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce is here in full — 449 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce
Context Illustration Reading 1/89 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
AUGUSTUS [with gloomy magnanimity].
It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.
Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.
I am ever at my country's call.
Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce is here in full — 449 sentences across 90 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/89 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
AUGUSTUS [with gloomy magnanimity].
Line 2
It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.
/ɪt wɪl meɪk noʊ ˈdɪfərəns ˌwʌˈtevər tuː maɪ ˈsɜːrvəsəz tuː maɪ ˈkʌntri/
Line 3
Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.
/ðoʊ ʃiː sleɪ miː jet wɪl aɪ ɪf nɑːt ɪɡˈzæktli trʌst ɪn hɜːr æt liːst teɪk maɪ pɑːrt ɪn hɜːr ˈɡʌvərmənt/
Line 4
I am ever at my country's call.
/aɪ æm ˈevər æt maɪ ˈkʌntriz kɔːl/
Line 5
Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

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.

augustus noun US /ɑːˈɡʌstəs/

Roman statesman who established the Roman Empire and became emperor in 27 BC; defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC at Actium (63 BC - AD 14)

From this reading “AUGUSTUS [with gloomy magnanimity].”

country's noun US /ˈkʌntriz/

possessive form of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading “I am ever at my country's call.”

embassy noun US /ˈembəsi/

a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work

From this reading “Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.”

European noun US /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading “Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.”

mission noun US /ˈmɪʃən/

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading “Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.”

services noun US /ˈsɜːrvəsəz/

performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others

From this reading “It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.”

slay verb US /sleɪ/

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading “Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.”

tropics noun US /ˈtrɑːpɪks/

the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate

From this reading “Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.”

All words in this reading · 58

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.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am ever at my country's call.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

AUGUSTUSnounUS /ɑːˈɡʌstəs/

Roman statesman who established the Roman Empire and became emperor in 27 BC; defeated Mark Antony and Cleopatra in 31 BC at Actium (63 BC - AD 14)

From this reading AUGUSTUS [with gloomy magnanimity].

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

bitnounUS /bɪt/

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I am ever at my country's call.

capitalnounUS /ˈkæpətəl/

assets available for use in the production of further assets

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

country'snounUS /ˈkʌntriz/

possessive form of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading I am ever at my country's call.

differencenounUS /ˈdɪfərəns/

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

embassynounUS /ˈembəsi/

a diplomatic building where ambassadors live or work

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

EuropeannounUS /ˌjʊrəˈpiːən/

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading I am ever at my country's call.

exactlyadverbUS /ɪɡˈzæktli/

indicating exactness or preciseness

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/

depressingly dark

From this reading AUGUSTUS [with gloomy magnanimity].

governmentnounUS /ˈɡʌvərmənt/

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

governor-generalship

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

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

humbleadjectiveUS /ˈhʌmbəl/

low or inferior in station or quality

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

leadingadjectiveUS /ˈliːdɪŋ/

indicating the most important performer or role

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

leastadjectiveUS /liːst/

the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

LittleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

magnanimitynoun

liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit

From this reading AUGUSTUS [with gloomy magnanimity].

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

missionnounUS /ˈmɪʃən/

an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

partnounUS /pɑːrt/

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

Pifflington

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

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

readyadjectiveUS /ˈredi/

completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

sacrificenounUS /ˈsækrəfaɪs/

the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

servicesnounUS /ˈsɜːrvəsəz/

performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

slayverbUS /sleɪ/

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

tropicsnounUS /ˈtrɑːpɪks/

the part of the Earth's surface between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn; characterized by a hot climate

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

trustnounUS /trʌst/

something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary)

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Whether it be the embassy in a leading European capital, a governor-generalship in the tropics, or my humble mission here to make Little Pifflington do its bit, I am always ready for the sacrifice.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It will make no difference whatever to my services to my country.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading AUGUSTUS [with gloomy magnanimity].

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Though she slay me, yet will I, if not exactly trust in her, at least take my part in her government.

Chapter 2 of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce by Bernard Shaw holds 449 sentences, grouped into 90 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 Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce contain?

Chapter 2 holds 449 sentences of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce, unabridged, divided into 90 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce by Bernard Shaw exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 449 sentences, grouped into 90 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 Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce?

Work through the 90 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 90 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 Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce

Common questions about reading Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce by Bernard Shaw on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce?

Yes. All 906 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #3487 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #3487, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce take to read?

About 75 minutes of reading across 182 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce section by section

How to work through Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce

Words and structures a reader meets early in Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Express
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Gratitude
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Certain
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Offices
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.