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Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04
Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 is here in full — 436 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Robert Seymour • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04
Context Illustration Reading 13/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
I can't row no more--I'm upset.
"I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.
"I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"
Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"
STEAMING IT TO MARGATE.
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.

Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 is here in full — 436 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 13/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 61–65

Line 1
I can't row no more--I'm upset.
Line 2
"I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.
Line 3
"I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"
Line 4
Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"
Line 5
STEAMING IT TO MARGATE.

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.

afloat adjective US /əˈfloʊt/

aimlessly drifting

From this reading “"I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
bout noun US /baʊt/

(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

From this reading “"I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Jem noun US /dʒem/

a terrorist organization founded in 2000; a militant Islamic group active in Kashmir and closely aligned with al-Rashid Trust; seeks to secure release of imprisoned fellow militants by kidnappings

From this reading “Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
joke noun US /dʒoʊk/

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading “"I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
row noun US /roʊ/

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading “I can't row no more--I'm upset.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
steaming adjective US /ˈstiːmɪŋ/

filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist

From this reading “STEAMING IT TO MARGATE.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
upset verb US /əpˈset/

disturb the balance or stability of

From this reading “I can't row no more--I'm upset.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
wile noun US /waɪl/

the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)

From this reading “"I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

All words in this reading · 52

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.

Abumpin

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Pending verification
afloatadjectiveUS /əˈfloʊt/

aimlessly drifting

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
agin

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Pending verification
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
angryadjectiveUS /ˈæŋɡri/

feeling or showing anger

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
boatnounUS /boʊt/

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
boutnounUS /baʊt/

(sports) a division during which one team is on the offensive

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/

lacking funds

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
can't

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

From this reading I can't row no more--I'm upset.

Pending verification
CriedverbUS /kraɪd/

inflected form of “cry” — utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Don't

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

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

Pending verification
enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I can't row no more--I'm upset.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
I'll

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

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

Pending verification
I'm

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

From this reading I can't row no more--I'm upset.

Pending verification
I've

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

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

Pending verification
inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ITpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading STEAMING IT TO MARGATE.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
it's

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Pending verification
JemnounUS /dʒem/

a terrorist organization founded in 2000; a militant Islamic group active in Kashmir and closely aligned with al-Rashid Trust; seeks to secure release of imprisoned fellow militants by kidnappings

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
jokenounUS /dʒoʊk/

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
laughnounUS /læf/

the sound of laughing

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MARGATEnoun

a grunt with a red mouth that is found from Florida to Brazil

From this reading STEAMING IT TO MARGATE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading I can't row no more--I'm upset.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
napper

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Pending verification
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading I can't row no more--I'm upset.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
PUTverbUS /pʊt/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
rownounUS /roʊ/

an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line

From this reading I can't row no more--I'm upset.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
shan't

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

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Pending verification
SitverbUS /sɪt/

be seated

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
STEAMINGadjectiveUS /ˈstiːmɪŋ/

filled with steam or emitting moisture in the form of vapor or mist

From this reading STEAMING IT TO MARGATE.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
takeverbUS /teɪk/

carry out

From this reading "I'll never take you out agin-- I've had quite enough in this bout!"

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
TOparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading STEAMING IT TO MARGATE.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
upsetverbUS /əpˈset/

disturb the balance or stability of

From this reading I can't row no more--I'm upset.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vith

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

From this reading Cried Jem--"Don't be angry vith me; Sit still, and I'll soon--PUT YOU OUT!"

Pending verification
wilenounUS /waɪl/

the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I think that my napper is broke, Abumpin' agin this wile boat; You may laugh--but I think it's no joke: And I shan't soon agin be afloat.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary

Chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 by Robert Seymour holds 436 sentences, grouped into 88 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 contain?

Chapter 1 holds 436 sentences of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04, unabridged, divided into 88 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 by Robert Seymour exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 436 sentences, grouped into 88 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04?

Work through the 88 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 88 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Common questions about reading Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 by Robert Seymour on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04?

Yes. All 436 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5648 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5648, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 take to read?

About 36 minutes of reading across 88 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 section by section

How to work through Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04 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 Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04

Words and structures a reader meets early in Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Patience
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Monument
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Smiling
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Grief
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Sketches by Seymour — Volume 04; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.