Poems of Pleasure

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of Poems of Pleasure is here in full — 364 sentences across 73 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Ella Wheeler Wilcox • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for Poems of Pleasure

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

DESIRE.

No joy for which thy hungering heart has panted, No hope it cherishes through waiting years, But if thou dost deserve it, shall be granted For with each passionate wish the blessing nears.

Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

Narrator

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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter II Reading 1/72

Poems of Pleasure Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of Poems of Pleasure is here in full — 364 sentences across 73 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

DESIRE. No joy for which thy hungering heart has panted, No hope it cherishes through waiting years, But if thou dost deserve it, shall be granted For with each passionate wish the blessing nears. Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire. When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire. The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

Poems of Pleasure

Chapter II

Chapter 2 of Poems of Pleasure is here in full — 364 sentences across 73 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/72 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

DESIRE.

/dɪˈzaɪər/

Line 2

No joy for which thy hungering heart has panted, No hope it cherishes through waiting years, But if thou dost deserve it, shall be granted For with each passionate wish the blessing nears.

/noʊ dʒɔɪ fɔːr wɪtʃ ðaɪ ˈhʌŋɡərɪŋ hɑːrt hæz ˈpæntɪd noʊ hoʊp ɪt ˈtʃerɪʃɪz θruː ˈweɪtɪŋ jɪrz bʌt ɪf ðaʊ dɑːst dɪˈzɜːrv ɪt ʃæl biː ˈɡræntəd fɔːr wɪð iːtʃ ˈpæʃənət wɪʃ ðə ˈblesɪŋ nɪrz/

Line 3

Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

/tuːn ʌp ðə faɪn strɔːŋ ˈɪnstrəmənt ʌv ðaɪ ˈbiːɪŋ tuː kɔːrd wɪð ðaɪ dɪr hoʊp ənd duː nɑːt ˈtaɪər/

Line 4

When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

Line 5

The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

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.

agreeing verb US /əˈɡriːɪŋ/

-ing form of “agree” — be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading “When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.”

cherishes verb US /ˈtʃerɪʃɪz/

third-person singular of “cherish” — be fond of; be attached to

From this reading “No joy for which thy hungering heart has panted, No hope it cherishes through waiting years, But if thou dost deserve it, shall be granted For with each passionate wish the blessing nears.”

chord noun US /kɔːrd/

a straight line connecting two points on a curve

From this reading “Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.”

hungering verb US /ˈhʌŋɡərɪŋ/

-ing form of “hunger” — feel the need to eat

nears verb US /nɪrz/

third-person singular of “near” — move towards

rhythm noun US /ˈrɪðəm/

the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music

From this reading “When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.”

silences noun US /ˈsaɪlənsɪz/

plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)

From this reading “The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.”

waits noun US /weɪts/

plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited

From this reading “The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

in the distance preposition + article + noun counted as “in … distance”

In this reading “The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.”

All words in this reading · 72

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.

agreeingverbUS /əˈɡriːɪŋ/

-ing form of “agree” — be in accord; be in agreement

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading No joy for which thy hungering heart has panted, No hope it cherishes through waiting years, But if thou dost deserve it, shall be granted For with each passionate wish the blessing nears.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

blessingnounUS /ˈblesɪŋ/

the formal act of approving

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

cherishesverbUS /ˈtʃerɪʃɪz/

third-person singular of “cherish” — be fond of; be attached to

chordnounUS /kɔːrd/

a straight line connecting two points on a curve

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

cravest

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

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

deserveverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrv/

be worthy or deserving

DESIREnounUS /dɪˈzaɪər/

the feeling that accompanies an unsatisfied state

From this reading DESIRE.

distancenounUS /ˈdɪstəns/

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

dostauxiliary verbUS /dɑːst/

an old form of “do”, used with “thou”

dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

EssentialadjectiveUS /eˈsenʃəl/

absolutely necessary; vitally necessary

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

existencenounUS /eɡˈzɪstəns/

the state or fact of existing

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

fineadjectiveUS /faɪn/

being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

grantedadjectiveUS /ˈɡræntəd/

acknowledged as a supposition

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

hungeringverbUS /ˈhʌŋɡərɪŋ/

-ing form of “hunger” — feel the need to eat

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

instrumentnounUS /ˈɪnstrəmənt/

a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

joynounUS /dʒɔɪ/

the emotion of great happiness

keynounUS /kiː/

metal device shaped in such a way that when it is inserted into the appropriate lock the lock's mechanism can be rotated

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

kissnounUS /kɪs/

the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

lipsnounUS /lɪps/

plural of “lip” — either of two fleshy folds of tissue that surround the mouth and play a role in speaking

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

LiveverbUS /laɪv/

be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

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

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

nearsverbUS /nɪrz/

third-person singular of “near” — move towards

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

pantedverbUS /ˈpæntɪd/

past form of “pant” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted

passionateadjectiveUS /ˈpæʃənət/

having or expressing strong emotions

rhythmnounUS /ˈrɪðəm/

the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

shaltmodal verbUS /ʃælt/

an old form of “shall”, used with “thou”

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

silencesnounUS /ˈsaɪlənsɪz/

plural of “silence” — the state of being silent (as when no one is speaking)

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

tireverbUS /ˈtaɪər/

lose interest or become bored with something or somebody

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

TunenounUS /tuːn/

a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

unseenadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːn/

not seen or perceived

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Tune up the fine, strong instrument of thy being To chord with thy dear hope, and do not tire.

waitingnounUS /ˈweɪtɪŋ/

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

waitsnounUS /weɪts/

plural of “wait” — time during which some action is awaited

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When both in key and rhythm are agreeing, Lo! thou shalt kiss the lips of thy desire.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

wishverbUS /wɪʃ/

hope for; have a wish

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/

Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

Wrapt

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

From this reading The thing thou cravest so waits in the distance, Wrapt in the silences, unseen and dumb: Essential to thy soul and thy existence-- Live worthy of it--call, and it shall come.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

Chapter 2 of Poems of Pleasure by Ella Wheeler Wilcox holds 364 sentences, grouped into 73 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Poems of Pleasure contain?

Chapter 2 holds 364 sentences of Poems of Pleasure, unabridged, divided into 73 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Poems of Pleasure by Ella Wheeler Wilcox exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 364 sentences, grouped into 73 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 2 of Poems of Pleasure?

Work through the 73 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 73 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Poems of Pleasure

Common questions about reading Poems of Pleasure by Ella Wheeler Wilcox on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Poems of Pleasure?

Yes. All 740 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #51614 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Poems of Pleasure is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #51614, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Poems of Pleasure take to read?

About 61 minutes of reading across 148 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in Poems of Pleasure

Words and structures a reader meets early in Poems of Pleasure, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Poems: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poems of Pleasure; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Pleasure: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poems of Pleasure; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wheeler: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poems of Pleasure; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wilcox: A word that appears in the opening chapter of Poems of Pleasure; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.

Chapter II

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Vocabulary met early in Poems of Pleasure