aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
BravonounUS /ˈbrɑːvoʊ/
a murderer (especially one who kills a prominent political figure) who kills by a surprise attack and often is hired to do the deed
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
carenounUS /ker/
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
declaimedverbUS /dɪˈkleɪmd/
past form of “declaim” — recite in elocution
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
divinitiesnounUS /dɪˈvɪnətiz/
plural of “divinity” — any supernatural being worshipped as controlling some part of the world or some aspect of life or who is the personification of a force
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
extendedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈstendəd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
fathernounUS /ˈfɑːðər/
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
Fenmarket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
fervournoun
the state of being emotionally aroused and worked up
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
FrankadjectiveUS /fræŋk/
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
GermanynounUS /ˈdʒɜːrməni/
a republic in central Europe; split into East Germany and West Germany after World War II and reunited in 1990
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
heardadjectiveUS /hɜːrd/
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
homewardsadverb
toward home
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
Hopgoods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
ImmortalitynounUS /ˌɪmɔːrˈtælɪti/
the quality or state of being immortal
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
IntimationsnounUS /ˌɪntəˈmeɪʃənz/
plural of “intimation” — an indirect suggestion
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
ITpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
JunenounUS /dʒuːn/
the month following May and preceding July
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
justadverbUS /dʒʌst/
and nothing more
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
knewverbUS /nuː/
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
learntverbUS /lɜːrnt/
inflected form of “learn” — gain knowledge or skills
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
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 ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
leaveverbUS /liːv/
go away from a place
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
Madge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
MondaynounUS /ˈmʌndi/
the second day of the week; the first working day
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
Newington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
OdenounUS /oʊd/
a lyric poem with complex stanza forms
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
passagesnounUS /ˈpæsədʒəz/
plural of “passage” — the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
pleasedadjectiveUS /pliːzd/
experiencing or manifesting pleasure
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
poemsnounUS /ˈpoʊəmz/
plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
readverbUS /red/
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
repeatverbUS /rɪˈpiːt/
to say, state, or perform again
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
returnedverbUS /rɪˈtɜːrnd/
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
rhetoricaladjectiveUS /rɪˈtɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to rhetoric
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
smittenadjectiveUS /ˈsmɪtən/
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
someadjectiveUS /sʌm/
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
spendverbUS /spend/
use up a period of time in a specific way
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
startingadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtɪŋ/
(especially of eyes) bulging or protruding as with fear
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
StokeverbUS /stoʊk/
stir up or tend; of a fire
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
sultryadjectiveUS /ˈsʌltri/
sexually exciting or gratifying
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
SundaynounUS /ˈsʌndeɪ/
first day of the week; observed as a day of rest and worship by most Christians
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
ThinkingnounUS /ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
turnverbUS /tɜːrn/
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
visitedverbUS /ˈvɪzɪtɪd/
past form of “visit” — go to see a place, as for entertainment
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
walksnounUS /wɔːks/
plural of “walk” — the act of traveling by foot
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was now far into June, and Madge and Frank extended their walks and returned later.
weeknounUS /wiːk/
any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had come down to spend his last Sunday with the Hopgoods before starting with his father for Germany, and on the Monday they were to leave London.
WordsworthnounUS /ˈwɜːrdzwərθ/
a romantic English poet whose work was inspired by the Lake District where he spent most of his life (1770-1850)
From this reading Wordsworth was one of the divinities at Stoke Newington, and just before Frank visited Fenmarket that week, he had heard the _Intimations of Immortality_ read with great fervour.
Wordsworth's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Bravo!’ said Madge, ‘but, of all Wordsworth’s poems, that is the one for which I believe I care the least.’
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Thinking that Madge would be pleased with him if she found that he knew something about that famous Ode, and being really smitten with some of the passages in it, he learnt it, and just as they were about to turn homewards one sultry evening he suddenly began to repeat it, and declaimed it to the end with much rhetorical power.
