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Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess
Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess is here in full — 151 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess
Context Illustration Reading 1/30 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."
Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.
Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.
--Thos.
Edwardes.
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.

Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess is here in full — 151 sentences across 31 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/30 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."
Line 2
Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.
Line 3
Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.
Line 4
--Thos.
Line 5
Edwardes.

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.

Essex noun US /ˈesɪks/

a county in southeastern England on the North Sea and the Thames estuary

From this reading “Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.”

Mermaid noun US /ˈmɜːrmeɪd/

half woman and half fish; lives in the sea

From this reading “Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.”

Observance noun US /əbˈzɜːrvəns/

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading “Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.”

Raleigh noun US /ˈrɔːli/

English courtier (a favorite of Elizabeth I) who tried to colonize Virginia; introduced potatoes and tobacco to England (1552-1618)

From this reading “Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.”

Shakespeare's noun US /ˈʃeɪkspiːrz/

possessive form of “shakespeare” — English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading “Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."”

Sidney noun US /ˈsɪdni/

English poet (1554-1586)

From this reading “Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.”

Sixteenth adjective US /sɪkˈstiːnθ/

coming next after the fifteenth in position

From this reading “Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.”

Whitehall noun US /ˈwaɪthɔːl/

a wide street in London stretching from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament; site of many government offices

From this reading “Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.”

All words in this reading · 75

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.

1907

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

35

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

36

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

40

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

44

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

46

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

50

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

54

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

58

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

62

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

8

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

822.33

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

AnnanounUS /ˈænə/

a former copper coin of Pakistan and India

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Benneson

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

Bess

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

CnounUS /siː/

a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

CenturynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

ChicagonounUS /ʃəˈkɑːɡoʊ/

largest city in Illinois; a bustling Great Lakes port that extends 26 miles along the southwestern shoreline of Lake Michigan

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

ChristmasnounUS /ˈkrɪsməs/

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

ConounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

DancenounUS /dæns/

an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

EarlnounUS /ɜːrl/

a British peer ranking below a marquess and above a viscount

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Edwardes

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

From this reading Edwardes.

Eliza's

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

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

ElizabethnounUS /ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/

daughter of George VI who became the Queen of England and Northern Ireland in 1952 on the death of her father (1926-)

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

EssexnounUS /ˈesɪks/

a county in southeastern England on the North Sea and the Thames estuary

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

feignedadjectiveUS /feɪnd/

not genuine

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

GiftnounUS /ɡɪft/

something acquired without compensation

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

HNnoun

a colorless explosive liquid that is volatile and poisonous and foul-smelling

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

IllustriousadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈlʌstriəs/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

immortaladjUS /ɪˈmɔːr.t̬əl/

Living forever; never dying or decaying. (Bất tử, trường tồn vĩnh cửu.)

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

Kenilworth

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

LateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

LeicesternounUS /ˈlestər/

a largely agricultural county in central England

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

listeningnounUS /ˈlɪsənɪŋ/

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

McClurg

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

McMahan

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

MermaidnounUS /ˈmɜːrmeɪd/

half woman and half fish; lives in the sea

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

mornnounUS /mɔːrn/

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

nearadverbUS /nɪr/

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

ObservancenounUS /əbˈzɜːrvəns/

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

PlayverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

PortraitnounUS /ˈpɔːrtrət/

a word picture of a person's appearance and character

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

QueennounUS /kwiːn/

the only fertile female in a colony of social insects such as bees and ants and termites; its function is to lay eggs

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

RaleighnounUS /ˈrɔːli/

English courtier (a favorite of Elizabeth I) who tried to colonize Virginia; introduced potatoes and tobacco to England (1552-1618)

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

receivingverbUS /rəˈsiːvɪŋ/

-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Shakespeare'snounUS /ˈʃeɪkspiːrz/

possessive form of “shakespeare” — English poet and dramatist considered one of the greatest English writers (1564-1616)

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/

inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/

English poet (1554-1586)

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

SixteenthadjectiveUS /sɪkˈstiːnθ/

coming next after the fifteenth in position

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Southampton

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Stratford

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

ThamesnounUS /temz/

the longest river in England; flows eastward through London to the North Sea

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Thos

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

From this reading --Thos.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

ThusadverbUS /ðʌs/

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Thus Raleigh, thus immortal Sidney shone (Illustrious names!) in great Eliza's days.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift To Queen Bess Chicago A.C. McClurg & Co. 822.33 HN8 1907 McMahan, Anna (Benneson) Shakespeare's Christmas gift "All, though feigned, is true."

WhitehallnounUS /ˈwaɪthɔːl/

a wide street in London stretching from Trafalgar Square to the Houses of Parliament; site of many government offices

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

WoodsnounUS /wʊdz/

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

YearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading Queen Elizabeth going to Whitehall by the Thames 35 Portrait of the Earl of Essex 36 Portrait of the Earl of Southampton 40 Queen Elizabeth listening to the Play 44 "Observance to a morn of May" 46 Woods near Stratford 50 Earl of Leicester receiving Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth 54 Portrait of Queen Elizabeth in her Later Years 58 A Dance of the Sixteenth Century 62 At the Mermaid.

Chapter 1 of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess by Anna Benneson McMahan holds 151 sentences, grouped into 31 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 1 of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess contain?

Chapter 1 holds 151 sentences of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess, unabridged, divided into 31 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess by Anna Benneson McMahan exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 151 sentences, grouped into 31 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 1 of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess?

Work through the 31 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 31 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess

Common questions about reading Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess by Anna Benneson McMahan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess?

Yes. All 151 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #20210 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #20210, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess take to read?

About 12 minutes of reading across 31 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess section by section

How to work through Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess 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 Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess

Words and structures a reader meets early in Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Shakespeare's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Christmas
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Queen
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chicago
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Shakespeare's Christmas Gift to Queen Bess; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.