1896
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
7th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
audiencesnounUS /ˈɑːdiənsəz/
plural of “audience” — a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
author'snounUS /ˈɔːθərz/
possessive form of “author” — writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
BALLADnounUS /ˈbæləd/
a narrative song with a recurrent refrain
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
basedadjectiveUS /beɪst/
having a base
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
financial assistance in time of need
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
BerkshirenounUS /ˈbɜːrkʃər/
a county in southern England
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
an outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down; worn outdoors
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
cricketnounUS /ˈkrɪkət/
leaping insect; male makes chirping noises by rubbing the forewings together
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
declamationnoun
vehement oratory
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
draftnounUS /dræft/
a document ordering the payment of money; drawn by one person or bank on another
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
constituting the full quantity or extent; complete
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
executornounUS /ɪɡˈzekjətər/
a person appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of the will
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
exercisingnounUS /ˈeksərsaɪzɪŋ/
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
set up or found
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
GAOLnoun
a correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence)
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
GuardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/
enclosed in the same envelope or package
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
resulting from one's intentions
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
JulynounUS /ˌdʒuːˈlaɪ/
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
of or relating to or characteristic of literature
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
held dear
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
MEMORIAM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
the force of workers available
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
murderedadjectiveUS /ˈmɜːrdərd/
killed unlawfully
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
Obiit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
obviateverbUS /ˈɑːbvieɪt/
do away with
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
officiouslyadverb
in an officious manner
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
prerogativesnounUS /prɪˈrɑːɡətɪvz/
plural of “prerogative” — a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
a correctional institution where persons are confined while on trial or for punishment
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
the cognitive process of understanding a written linguistic message
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
recitationnounUS /ˌresəˈteɪʃən/
written matter that is recited from memory
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
reciters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
representsverbUS /ˌreprɪˈzents/
third-person singular of “represent” — take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
United States parliamentary authority and author (in 1876) of Robert's Rules of Order (1837-1923)
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
ROSSnounUS /rɑːs/
Scottish explorer who led Arctic expeditions that yielded geographic discoveries while searching for the Northwest Passage (1777-1856)
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
RoyaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
cut with a saw
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
scarletnounUS /ˈskɑːrlət/
a variable color that is vivid red but sometimes with an orange tinge
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
an elaborate and systematic plan of action
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
shabbyadjectiveUS /ˈʃæbi/
showing signs of wear and tear
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
shorteradjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtər/
comparative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
a base found in DNA (but not in RNA) and derived from pyrimidine; pairs with adenine
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
textnounUS /tekst/
the words of something written
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
the act of testing something
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
troopernounUS /ˈtruːpər/
a soldier in a motorized army unit
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
ungratefuladjectiveUS /ənˈɡreɪtfəl/
not feeling or showing gratitude
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/
an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
a heavy grey-white metallic element; the pure form is used mainly in electrical applications; it is found in several ores including wolframite and scheelite
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
be dressed in
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
at the time that
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
which person or people
From this reading This is included for the benefit of reciters and their audiences who have found the entire poem too long for declamation.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading AT the end of the complete text will be found a shorter version based on the original draft of the poem.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
wistfullyadverbUS /ˈwɪstfəli/
in a wistful manner
From this reading He walked amongst the Trial Men In a suit of shabby grey; A cricket cap was on his head, And his step seemed light and gay; But I never saw a man who looked So wistfully at the day.
in the company of; together with
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading I have tried to obviate a difficulty, without officiously exercising the ungrateful prerogatives of a literary executor, by falling back on a text which represents the author’s first scheme for a poem—never intended of course for recitation.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading ROBERT ROSS IN MEMORIAM C. T. W. Sometimes trooper of The Royal Horse Guards Obiit H.M. Prison Reading, Berkshire July 7th, 1896 THE BALLAD OF READING GAOL HE did not wear his scarlet coat, For blood and wine are red, And blood and wine were on his hands When they found him with the dead, The poor dead woman whom he loved, And murdered in her bed.
