Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

changed in form or character without becoming something else

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

every second one of a series

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

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

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

made or become different in nature or form

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

plural of “change” — an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

free from obscurity and easy to understand; the comprehensibility of clear expression

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

two items of the same kind

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

separate with or as if with an instrument

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

clearly characterized or delimited

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

-ing form of “differ” — be different

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

any strong feeling

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

closed in or surrounded or included within

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

-ing form of “establish” — set up or found

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

a person who comes from a foreign country; someone who does not owe allegiance to your country

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

being ten more than thirty

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

set up or found

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

the cardinal number that is the sum of thirteen and one

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

usually; as a rule

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

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

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

beguiling but harmful

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

having a pattern of fretwork or latticework

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

drawn out or made longer spatially

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

a decorative strip used for ornamentation or finishing

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

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

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

past form of “obey” — be obedient to

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

sporadically and infrequently

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

a feast day and the seven days following it

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

an amount of time

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

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

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

a person related by blood or marriage

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

plural of “rhyme” — correspondence in the sounds of two or more lines (especially final sounds)

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

any loose flowing garment

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

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

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

cut short

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

the property of being of short spatial extent

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

being or characteristic of a single thing or person

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

a verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

be agreeable or acceptable to

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

under terms not final or fully worked out or agreed upon

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

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

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This law cut the poem, to a relative shortness and defined its dignity and clearness.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

in a uniform manner

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

an instance of change; the rate or magnitude of change

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

a collection containing a variety of sorts of things

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

plural of “verse” — literature in metrical form

From this reading Beyond this almost every combination of rhymes might be found, verses were occasionally lengthened or shortened, and the number of lines in the poem, though generally fourteen, showed considerable variation.

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

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

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

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

at the time that

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.

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

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thus the sonnet, which had been an octave of enclosed or alternate rhymes, followed by a sestette of interlaced tercets, was now changed to a series of three quatrains with differing sets of alternate rhymes in each, at the close of which the insidious couplet succeeded in establishing itself.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading But these changes were not made without a great deal of experiment; and during the tentative period the name "sonnet" was given, to a wide variety of forms, in the moulding of which but one rule seemed to be uniformly obeyed--that the poem should be the expression of a single, simple emotion.

a late time of life

From this reading But when, forty years later, the foreigner was to be acclimatised in England, her robe had to be altered to suit an English fashion.