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Four Arthurian Romances
Four Arthurian Romances

Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of Four Arthurian Romances is here in full — 311 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/62 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
(Vv.
5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.
Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.
Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.
The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Four Arthurian Romances

Chapter XXXVIII · Chapter 38

Chapter 38 of Four Arthurian Romances is here in full — 311 sentences across 63 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/62 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
(Vv.
Line 2
5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.
Line 3
Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.
Line 4
Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.
/iːtʃ brɪŋz ðə ˈʌðər tuː ɜːrθ ˌhaʊˈevər ðeɪ ɑːr nɑːt dɪˈsmeɪd bʌt ðeɪ raɪz æt wʌns ənd əˈtæk iːtʃ ˈʌðər wɪð ðer ʃɑːrp drɔːn sɔːrdz/
Line 5
The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.
/ðə ˈbɜːrnɪŋ spɑːrks flaɪ ɪn ðə er frʌm ðer ˈhelməts/

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.

dismayed adjective US /dɪˈsmeɪd/

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading “Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.”

fiercely adverb US /ˈfɪrsli/

in a physically fierce manner

From this reading “Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.”

helmets noun US /ˈhelməts/

plural of “helmet” — armor plate that protects the head

From this reading “The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.”

mounts noun US /maʊnts/

plural of “mount” — a lightweight horse kept for riding only

From this reading “Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.”

oaths noun US /oʊðz/

plural of “oath” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading “5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.”

sparks noun US /spɑːrks/

plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light

From this reading “The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.”

steeds noun US /stiːdz/

plural of “steed” — (literary) a spirited horse for state of war

From this reading “Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.”

swords noun US /sɔːrdz/

plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading “Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.”

All words in this reading · 71

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.

5007

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

5198

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

attacknounUS /əˈtæk/

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

bringsverbUS /brɪŋz/

third-person singular of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

burningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

the act of burning something

From this reading The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

carryverbUS /ˈkæri/

move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

dismayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈsmeɪd/

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

drawnadjectiveUS /drɔːn/

showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

fairadjectiveUS /fer/

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

fastadverbUS /fæst/

quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

fiercelyadverbUS /ˈfɪrsli/

in a physically fierce manner

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

flyverbUS /flaɪ/

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.

forwardadverbUS /ˈfɔːrwərd/

at or to or toward the front

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.

goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

handsnounUS /hændz/

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

helmetsnounUS /ˈhelməts/

plural of “helmet” — armor plate that protects the head

From this reading The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

horsesnounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

knightsnounUS /naɪts/

plural of “knight” — 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 Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

lances

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

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 Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

mid-career

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

mountsnounUS /maʊnts/

plural of “mount” — a lightweight horse kept for riding only

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

oathsnounUS /oʊðz/

plural of “oath” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

rideverbUS /raɪd/

sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

riseverbUS /raɪz/

move upward

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

sharpadjectiveUS /ʃɑːrp/

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/

plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light

From this reading The burning sparks fly in the air from their helmets.

steedsnounUS /stiːdz/

plural of “steed” — (literary) a spirited horse for state of war

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

strikeverbUS /straɪk/

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

swordsnounUS /sɔːrdz/

plural of “sword” — a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Each man mounts his own home, and they ride at once at each other as fast as the steeds can carry them; and when the horses are in mid-career, the knights strike each other so fiercely that there is nothing left of the lances in their hands.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

Vv

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

From this reading (Vv.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading 5007-5198.) When the oaths had been taken, their horses were brought forward, which were fair and good in every way.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Each brings the other to earth; however, they are not dismayed, but they rise at once and attack each other with their sharp drawn swords.

Chapter 38 of Four Arthurian Romances by de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien holds 311 sentences, grouped into 63 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 38 of Four Arthurian Romances contain?

Chapter 38 holds 311 sentences of Four Arthurian Romances, unabridged, divided into 63 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 38 of Four Arthurian Romances by de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 311 sentences, grouped into 63 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 38 of Four Arthurian Romances?

Work through the 63 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 63 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 38 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 38 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 Four Arthurian Romances

Common questions about reading Four Arthurian Romances by de Troyes, active 12th century Chrétien on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Four Arthurian Romances?

Yes. All 9290 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #831 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Four Arthurian Romances is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #831, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Four Arthurian Romances take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1858 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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  3. Listen and tap

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Vocabulary met early in Four Arthurian Romances

Words and structures a reader meets early in Four Arthurian Romances, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Century
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Originally
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Written
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
French
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Four Arthurian Romances; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.