Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
England's Antiphon
England's Antiphon

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of England's Antiphon is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for England's Antiphon
Context Illustration Reading 1/26 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.
From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.
That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.
Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.
Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.
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.

England's Antiphon

Chapter IX · Chapter 9

Chapter 9 of England's Antiphon is here in full — 130 sentences across 26 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/26 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.
Line 2
From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.
Line 3
That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.
Line 4
Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.
Line 5
Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.
/ˌwʌˈtevər wɜːr hɪz fɔːlts ənd ðeɪ wɜːr nɑːt fjuː hɪˈpɑːkrəsi wɑːz nɑːt wʌn ʌv ðem/

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.

admitting verb US /ædˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading “That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.”

devotional adjective US /dɪˈvoʊʃənəl/

relating to worship

From this reading “From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.”

dramas noun US /ˈdrɑːməz/

plural of “drama” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading “That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.”

elizabethan noun US /ˌelɪzəˈbiːθən/

a person who lived during the reign of Elizabeth I

From this reading “A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.”

hypocrisy noun US /hɪˈpɑːkrəsi/

an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction

From this reading “Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.”

Jonson noun US /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English dramatist and poet who was the first real poet laureate of England (1572-1637)

From this reading “Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.”

requiring verb US /riˈkwaɪərɪŋ/

-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading “That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.”

scope noun US /skoʊp/

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading “That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.”

All words in this reading · 103

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.

1574

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

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.

admittingverbUS /ædˈmɪtɪŋ/

inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

adoptedadjectiveUS /əˈdɑːptɪd/

acquired as your own by free choice

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

approachingnounUS /əˈproʊtʃɪŋ/

the event of one object coming closer to another

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/

writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

BennounUS /ben/

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

bornadjectiveUS /bɔːrn/

brought into existence

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

bringverbUS /brɪŋ/

take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

cannot

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

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

classnounUS /klæs/

a collection of things sharing a common attribute

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

containverbUS /kənˈteɪn/

include or contain; have as a component

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

DevotionnounUS /dɪˈvoʊʃən/

feelings of ardent love

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

devotionaladjectiveUS /dɪˈvoʊʃənəl/

relating to worship

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

dramasnounUS /ˈdrɑːməz/

plural of “drama” — a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

DRAMATISTS

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

From this reading A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.

ELIZABETHANnounUS /ˌelɪzəˈbiːθən/

a person who lived during the reign of Elizabeth I

From this reading A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

faultsnounUS /fɔːlts/

plural of “fault” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

FEWadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

formnounUS /fɔːrm/

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

FromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

genuineadjectiveUS /ˈdʒenjəwən/

not fake or counterfeit

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

hypocrisynounUS /hɪˈpɑːkrəsi/

an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

immediatelyadverbUS /ˌɪˈmiːdiːətli/

without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

indeedadverbUS /ˌɪnˈdiːd/

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

intendedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtendɪd/

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

JonsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English dramatist and poet who was the first real poet laureate of England (1572-1637)

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

learningnounUS /ˈlɜːrnɪŋ/

the cognitive process of acquiring skill or knowledge

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

meritnounUS /ˈmerət/

any admirable quality or attribute

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

modenounUS /moʊd/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

naturenounUS /ˈneɪtʃər/

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/

not one and not the other of two

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

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

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

personaladjectiveUS /ˈpɜːrsɪnəl/

concerning or affecting a particular person or his or her private life and personality

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

piecesnounUS /ˈpiːsəz/

plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

PoemsnounUS /ˈpoʊəmz/

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/

literature in metrical form

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

profoundadjectiveUS /proʊˈfaʊnd/

showing intellectual penetration or emotional depth

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

purposenounUS /ˈpɜːrpəs/

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

regardedverbUS /rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/

past form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

representativenounUS /ˌreprəˈzentətɪv/

a person who represents others

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

requiringverbUS /riˈkwaɪərɪŋ/

-ing form of “require” — require as useful, just, or proper

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

scopenounUS /skoʊp/

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

seekverbUS /siːk/

try to get or reach

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

Shaksperenoun

English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

smalladjectiveUS /smɔːl/

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

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

solenounUS /soʊl/

the underside of footwear or a golf club

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

suitableadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtəbəl/

meant or adapted for an occasion or use

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

teachingnounUS /ˈtiːtʃɪŋ/

the profession of a teacher

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A FEW OF THE ELIZABETHAN DRAMATISTS.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

threenounUS /θriː/

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

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

truthnounUS /truːθ/

a fact that has been verified

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

utterancenounUS /ˈʌtərəns/

the use of uttered sounds for auditory communication

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading From the nature of their adopted mode, we cannot look for much poetry of a devotional kind from the dramatists.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

WhateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

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

From this reading Whatever were his faults, and they were not few, hypocrisy was not one of them.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading Ben Jonson, however, born in 1574, who may be regarded as the sole representative of learning in the class, has left, amongst a large number of small pieces, three _Poems of Devotion_, whose merit may not indeed be great, but whose feeling is, I think, genuine.

wondernounUS /ˈwʌndər/

the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising

From this reading That mode admitting of no utterance personal to the author, and requiring the scope of a play to bring out the intended truth, it is no wonder that, even in the dramas of Shakspere, profound as is the teaching they contain, we should find nothing immediately suitable to our purpose; while neither has he left anything in other form approaching in kind what we seek.

Chapter 9 of England's Antiphon by George MacDonald holds 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 9 of England's Antiphon contain?

Chapter 9 holds 130 sentences of England's Antiphon, unabridged, divided into 26 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 9 of England's Antiphon by George MacDonald exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 130 sentences, grouped into 26 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 9 of England's Antiphon?

Work through the 26 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 26 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 9 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 9 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 England's Antiphon

Common questions about reading England's Antiphon by George MacDonald on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of England's Antiphon?

Yes. All 3503 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #10375 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of England's Antiphon is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #10375, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does England's Antiphon take to read?

About 291 minutes of reading across 701 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read England's Antiphon section by section

How to work through England's Antiphon section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 23 chapters of England's Antiphon to begin.

  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 England's Antiphon

Words and structures a reader meets early in England's Antiphon, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Sacred
A word that appears in the opening chapter of England's Antiphon; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Lyrics
A word that appears in the opening chapter of England's Antiphon; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Thirteenth
A word that appears in the opening chapter of England's Antiphon; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Century
A word that appears in the opening chapter of England's Antiphon; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.