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Idylls of the King
Idylls of the King

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of Idylls of the King is here in full — 87 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Idylls of the King
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.
But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing harlot muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!
White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.
Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:
O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!
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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.

Idylls of the King

Chapter XV · Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of Idylls of the King is here in full — 87 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.
Line 2
But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearingharlotmuttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!
Line 3
White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.
Line 4
Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:
Line 5
O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

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.

Dagger noun US /ˈdæɡ.ər/

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading “White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.”

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!”

Throat noun US /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading “He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.”

All words in this reading · 113

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.

a

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

And

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

anger

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

as

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

bare-grinning

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

beaten

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

belt

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

bitter

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

breaths

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

broken

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

From this reading Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:

But

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

calm

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

cheek

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

child

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

chin

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

consolable

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

crueller

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

daggernounUS /ˈdæɡ.ər/

A short knife with a pointed and edged blade, used as a stealth weapon.

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

death

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

downward

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

ever

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

eye

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

fairy

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

false

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

faltering

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

feeling

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

fell

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

Flashed

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

fleece

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

For

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

found

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

from

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

frozen

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

gathering

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

had

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

half-clenched

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

Half-suffocated

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

hand

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

harlot

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

hate

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

have

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

He

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

heard

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

hearing

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

her

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

him

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

his

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

hoary

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

How

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

in

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

it

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

lap

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

Leapt

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

life

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

like

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

lips

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

loathsome

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

long

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

love

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

made

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

From this reading Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:

many-wintered

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

mood

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

muttered

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

nostril

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

not

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

O

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

of

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

on

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

or

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

out

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

part

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

puffed

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

rosy

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

session

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

sharp

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

she

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

sideways

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

sight

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

skeleton

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

sobs

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

From this reading Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:

somewhat

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

song

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

spoke

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

stabbed

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

Stiff

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

suddenly

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

sung

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

tale

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

than

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

the

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

Then

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

From this reading Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:

there

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

thrice

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

throatnounUS /θroʊt/

The passage at the back of the mouth.

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

to

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

told

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

From this reading “O crueller than was ever told in tale, Or sung in song!

took

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

turns

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

twice

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

viper

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

Vivien

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

From this reading But Vivien, gathering somewhat of his mood, And hearing “harlot” muttered twice or thrice, Leapt from her session on his lap, and stood Stiff as a viper frozen; loathsome sight, How from the rosy lips of life and love, Flashed the bare-grinning skeleton of death!

voice

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

From this reading Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:

was

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

way

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

From this reading Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:

weeping

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

Went

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

whispers

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

White

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

wink

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

with

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

From this reading Then her false voice made way, broken with sobs:

words

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

From this reading He spoke in words part heard, in whispers part, Half-suffocated in the hoary fell And many-wintered fleece of throat and chin.

would

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

From this reading White was her cheek; sharp breaths of anger puffed Her fairy nostril out; her hand half-clenched Went faltering sideways downward to her belt, And feeling; had she found a dagger there (For in a wink the false love turns to hate) She would have stabbed him; but she found it not: His eye was calm, and suddenly she took To bitter weeping like a beaten child, A long, long weeping, not consolable.

Chapter 15 of Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson, Baron Tennyson holds 87 sentences, grouped into 18 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 15 of Idylls of the King contain?

Chapter 15 holds 87 sentences of Idylls of the King, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson, Baron Tennyson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 87 sentences, grouped into 18 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 15 of Idylls of the King?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 Idylls of the King

Common questions about reading Idylls of the King by Alfred Tennyson, Baron Tennyson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Idylls of the King?

Yes. All 2493 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #610 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Idylls of the King is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #610, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Idylls of the King take to read?

About 207 minutes of reading across 499 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Idylls of the King section by section

How to work through Idylls of the King section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 27 chapters of Idylls of the King 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 Idylls of the King

Words and structures a reader meets early in Idylls of the King, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Regum
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Idylls of the King; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Arthurus
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Idylls of the King; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Joseph
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Idylls of the King; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Exeter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Idylls of the King; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.