Chapter 10 of Moonfleet is here in full — 206 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter X
Chapter 10 of Moonfleet is here in full — 206 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
THE ESCAPE ... How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low! I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture. We were safe.
Chapter 10 of Moonfleet is here in full — 206 sentences across 42 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/41 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
From this reading “I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.”
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading “I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.”
having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
From this reading “How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!”
past form of “loose” — grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading “I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.”
plural of “matchlock” — an early style of musket; a slow-burning wick would be lowered into a hole in the breech to ignite the charge
From this reading “I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.”
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading “I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.”
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading “I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.”
with one side forward or to the front
From this reading “I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
put or send forth
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
having or causing a whirling sensation; liable to falling
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
the act of escaping physically
From this reading THE ESCAPE ...
divisible by two
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
opinion or judgment
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
in order that something should not happen
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
past form of “loose” — grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
plural of “matchlock” — an early style of musket; a slow-burning wick would be lowered into a hole in the breech to ignite the charge
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
not any; not one
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
and nothing more
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
a person who is the aim of an attack (especially a victim of ridicule or exploitation) by some hostile person or influence
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
free from danger or the risk of harm
From this reading We were safe.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
with one side forward or to the front
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ESCAPE ...
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
plural of “ti” — a light strong grey lustrous corrosion-resistant metallic element used in strong lightweight alloys (as for airplane parts); the main sources are rutile and ilmenite
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading How fearful And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low!
hard to endure
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We were safe.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We were safe.
during the time that
From this reading I'll look no more Lest my brain turn--_Shakespeare_ The while chalk was a bulwark between us and the foe; and though one or two of them loosed off their matchlocks, trying to get at us sideways, they could not even see their quarry, and 'twas only shooting at a venture.
Chapter 10 of Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner holds 206 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.
Chapter 10 holds 206 sentences of Moonfleet, unabridged, divided into 42 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 10 of Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 206 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.
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.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 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.
Common questions about reading Moonfleet by John Meade Falkner on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 2455 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #10743 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #10743, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 204 minutes of reading across 491 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Moonfleet section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 19 chapters of Moonfleet to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Moonfleet, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
