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Robin Hood
Robin Hood

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Robin Hood is here in full — 84 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 21 of Robin Hood by J. Walker (Joseph Walker) McSpadden holds 84 sentences, grouped into 17 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 21 of Robin Hood contain?

Chapter 21 holds 84 sentences of Robin Hood, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 21 of Robin Hood by J. Walker (Joseph Walker) McSpadden exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 84 sentences, grouped into 17 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 21 of Robin Hood?

Work through the 17 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 17 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 21 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 21 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 Robin Hood

Common questions about reading Robin Hood by J. Walker (Joseph Walker) McSpadden on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Robin Hood?

Yes. All 3512 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #832 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Robin Hood is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #832, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Robin Hood take to read?

About 292 minutes of reading across 703 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Robin Hood section by section

How to work through Robin Hood section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 24 chapters of Robin Hood 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 Robin Hood

Words and structures a reader meets early in Robin Hood, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Hearken
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin Hood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Gentlemen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin Hood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Free-born
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin Hood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Blood
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Robin Hood; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Cover illustration for Robin Hood
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud gan cry And said, Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”
Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.
Open, I say, in the king’s name!”
Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.
You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Robin Hood

Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

Chapter 21 of Robin Hood is here in full — 84 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loudgan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”
Line 2
Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.
Line 3
Open, I say, in the king’s name!”
Line 4
Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.
Line 5
You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading ““Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.”

All words in this reading · 67

Every word is available to listen to. 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 “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

Against

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

And

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

are

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

asked

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

brawling

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

come

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

cry

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

DEBT

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

enemy

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

forth

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

gan

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

gate

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

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

give

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

hands

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

haughty

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

have

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

here

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

himself

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

HIS

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

hoarsely

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

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

HOW

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

I

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

From this reading “Open, I say, in the king’s name!”

in

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

From this reading “Open, I say, in the king’s name!”

into

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

keepest

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

King

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

king's

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

knight

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

know

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

laws

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

LEA

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

loud

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

me

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

my

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

name

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

From this reading “Open, I say, in the king’s name!”

now

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

OF

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

OpenverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

premises

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

proud

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

REPAID

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

RICHARD

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

right

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

said

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

say

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

From this reading “Open, I say, in the king’s name!”

sentinel

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

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

sheltered

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

Sheriff

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

shouted

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

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

SIR

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

stepped

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

THE

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

Thou

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

thus

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

to

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

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

traitor

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

From this reading HOW SIR RICHARD OF THE LEA REPAID HIS DEBT The proud Sheriff loud ‘gan cry And said, “Thou traitor knight, Thou keepest here the king’s enemy Against the laws and right.”

turret

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

up

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

upon

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

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

voice

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

walls

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

From this reading “Open the gate!” shouted the Sheriff hoarsely, to the sentinel upon the walls.

well

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

who

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

whom

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

From this reading “You know me well, traitor knight!” said the Sheriff, “now give up into my hands the enemy of the King whom you have sheltered against the laws and right.”

Why

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.

you

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

From this reading “Why who are you to come thus brawling upon my premises?” asked a haughty voice; and Sir Richard himself stepped forth upon the turret.