Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
English Songs and Ballads
English Songs and Ballads

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of English Songs and Ballads is here in full — 207 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for English Songs and Ballads
Context Illustration Reading 1/41 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.
Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.
All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.
This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.
To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.
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.

English Songs and Ballads

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of English Songs and Ballads is here in full — 207 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.
Line 2
Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.
Line 3
All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.
Line 4
This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.
Line 5
To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

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.

banquet noun US /ˈbæŋkwət/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading “All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.”

gentles verb US /ˈdʒentəlz/

third-person singular of “gentle” — cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

From this reading “This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.”

ne'er adverb US /ner/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading “To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.”

Partridge noun US /ˈpɑːrtrədʒ/

flesh of either quail or grouse

From this reading “All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.”

plover noun US /ˈplʌvər/

any of numerous chiefly shorebirds of relatively compact build having straight bills and large pointed wings; closely related to the sandpipers

From this reading “All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.”

resort noun US /rɪˈzɔːrt/

a hotel located in a resort area

From this reading “This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.”

thereto adverb US /ˈðertuː/

to that

From this reading “This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.”

venison noun US /ˈvenəsən/

meat from a deer used as food

From this reading “All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.”

All words in this reading · 93

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

AdornedadjectiveUS /əˈdɔːrnd/

provided with something intended to increase its beauty or distinction

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

AgainstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

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 Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

angelnounUS /ˈeɪndʒəl/

spiritual being attendant upon God

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

banquetnounUS /ˈbæŋkwət/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

Bednall-green

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

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

beggar's

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

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

Bessee

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

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

Bessy

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

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

betrothedadjective

pledged to be married

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

blindnounUS /blaɪnd/

people who have severe visual impairments, considered as a group

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

boughtverbUS /bɑːt/

inflected form of “buy” — obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

braveadjectiveUS /breɪv/

possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

bridenounUS /braɪd/

a woman who has recently been married

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

brightadjectiveUS /braɪt/

emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

churchnounUS /tʃɜːrtʃ/

one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

comesnounUS /kʌmz/

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

costnounUS /kɑːst/

the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

creditnounUS /ˈkredət/

approval

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

dainties

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

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

daughternounUS /ˈdɔːtər/

a female human offspring

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

degreenounUS /dɪˈɡriː/

a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

delicates

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

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

discoursenounUS /ˈdɪskɔːrs/

extended verbal expression in speech or writing

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

EnglandnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlənd/

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

famenounUS /feɪm/

the state or quality of being widely honored and acclaimed

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

followedverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊd/

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

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

freeverbUS /friː/

grant freedom to; free from confinement

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

gallantadjectiveUS /ˈɡælənt/

unflinching in battle or action

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

gentlesverbUS /ˈdʒentəlz/

third-person singular of “gentle” — cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

gorgeousadjectiveUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəs/

dazzlingly beautiful

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

keptadjectiveUS /kept/

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

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

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

knightnounUS /naɪt/

originally a person of noble birth trained to arms and chivalry; today in Great Britain a person honored by the sovereign for personal merit

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

ladiesnounUS /ˈleɪdiz/

plural of “lady” — a polite name for any woman

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

marriagenounUS /ˈmerɪdʒ/

the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

meetverbUS /miːt/

come together

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

ne'eradverbUS /ner/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

noblesnounUS /ˈnoʊbəlz/

plural of “noble” — a titled peer of the realm

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

nowadverbUS /naʊ/

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

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

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

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

OfprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

palacenounUS /ˈpæləs/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

PartridgenounUS /ˈpɑːrtrədʒ/

flesh of either quail or grouse

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

plovernounUS /ˈplʌvər/

any of numerous chiefly shorebirds of relatively compact build having straight bills and large pointed wings; closely related to the sandpipers

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

prettyadjectiveUS /ˈprɪti/

pleasing by delicacy or grace; not imposing

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

reportverbUS /riˈpɔːrt/

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

resortnounUS /rɪˈzɔːrt/

a hotel located in a resort area

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

spreadverbUS /spred/

distribute or disperse widely

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

sumptuouslie

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

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

thereofadverbUS /ˌðeˈrʌv/

of or concerning this or that

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

theretoadverbUS /ˈðertuː/

to that

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading This marriage through England was spread by report, So that a great number thereto did resort Of nobles and gentles in every degree; And all for the fame of pretty Bessee.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

troopsnounUS /truːps/

soldiers collectively

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

untoprepositionUS /ˈʌntuː/

an old word for “to”

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

venisonnounUS /ˈvenəsən/

meat from a deer used as food

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

weddingnounUS /ˈwedɪŋ/

the social event at which the ceremony of marriage is performed

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading To church then went this gallant young knight; His bride followed after, an angel most bright, With troops of ladies, the like ne'er was seen, As went with sweet Bessy of Bednall-green.

Wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading All kind of dainties and delicates sweet Were bought for the banquet, as it was most meet; Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

WithinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Within a gorgeous palace most brave, Adorned with all the cost they could have, This wedding was kept most sumptuouslie, And all for the credit of pretty Bessee.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

youngadjectiveUS /jʌŋ/

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading Of a blind beggar's daughter most bright, That late was betrothed unto a young knight; All the discourse thereof you did see: But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee.

Chapter 3 of English Songs and Ballads by T. W. H. (Thomas William Hodgson) [Compiler] Crosland holds 207 sentences, grouped into 42 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 3 of English Songs and Ballads contain?

Chapter 3 holds 207 sentences of English Songs and Ballads, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of English Songs and Ballads by T. W. H. (Thomas William Hodgson) [Compiler] Crosland exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 207 sentences, grouped into 42 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 3 of English Songs and Ballads?

Work through the 42 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 42 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 3 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 3 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 English Songs and Ballads

Common questions about reading English Songs and Ballads by T. W. H. (Thomas William Hodgson) [Compiler] Crosland on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of English Songs and Ballads?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of English Songs and Ballads is used?

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

How long does English Songs and Ballads take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read English Songs and Ballads section by section

How to work through English Songs and Ballads section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of English Songs and Ballads 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 English Songs and Ballads

Words and structures a reader meets early in English Songs and Ballads, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of English Songs and Ballads, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of English Songs and Ballads, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of English Songs and Ballads, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.