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Some Diversions of a Man of Letters
Some Diversions of a Man of Letters

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Some Diversions of a Man of Letters is here in full — 394 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."
To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."
The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.
Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.
To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Some Diversions of a Man of Letters

Chapter III · Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of Some Diversions of a Man of Letters is here in full — 394 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."
Line 2
To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."
Line 3
The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.
/ðə ˈjuːθfəl ˈpoʊət ɪz ɪn fʊl rɪˈvoʊlt əˈɡenst ðə lɔː wɪtʃ fərˈbeɪd hɪz ˈeldərz tuː ˈmenʃən ˈɑːbdʒekts baɪ ðer pleɪn neɪmz/
Line 4
Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.
Line 5
To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

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.

chats noun US /tʃæts/

plural of “chat” — an informal conversation

From this reading “To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."”

cotes noun US /koʊts/

plural of “cote” — a small shelter for domestic animals (as sheep or pigeons)

From this reading “To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."”

embattled adjective US /emˈbætəld/

(of a person) beset by difficulties or conflict

From this reading “To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."”

mannerism noun US /ˈmænərɪzəm/

a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

From this reading “A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."”

plaits noun US /pleɪts/

plural of “plait” — a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair

From this reading “To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."”

rediscovery noun US /ridɪˈskʌvri/

the act of discovering again

From this reading “To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.”

warbling verb US /ˈwɔːrbəlɪŋ/

-ing form of “warble” — sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below

From this reading “A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."”

wattled verb US /ˈwɑːtəld/

past form of “wattle” — build of or with wattle

From this reading “To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."”

All words in this reading · 230

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

AmidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

ApproachverbUS /əˈproʊtʃ/

move towards

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

awhileadverbUS /əˈwaɪl/

for a short time

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

balmyadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːmi/

informal or slang terms for mentally irregular

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

barknounUS /bɑːrk/

tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

batheverbUS /beɪð/

cleanse the entire body

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

bellnounUS /bel/

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

BeneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/

Directly under; in or to a lower position than.

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

besprentadjective

sprinkled over

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

bloomnounUS /bluːm/

the organic process of bearing flowers

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

blowsnounUS /bloʊz/

plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

borneverbUS /bɔːrn/

inflected form of “bear” — have

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

bosom'd

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

boughsnounUS /baʊz/

plural of “bough” — any of the larger branches of a tree

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

breatheverbUS /briːð/

draw air into, and expel out of, the lungs

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

breezesnounUS /ˈbriːzɪz/

plural of “breeze” — a slight wind (usually refreshing)

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

brothersnounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/

plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

buildsnounUS /bɪldz/

plural of “build” — constitution of the human body

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

cellnounUS /sel/

A small stone room in a prison where an inmate is locked behind iron bars.

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

centurynounUS /ˈsentʃəri/

a period of 100 years

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

chafer-swarms

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

chatsnounUS /tʃæts/

plural of “chat” — an informal conversation

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

classicnounUS /ˈklæsɪk/

a creation of the highest excellence

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

clusterverbUS /ˈklʌstər/

come together as in a cluster or flock

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

compareverbUS /kəmˈper/

examine and note the similarities or differences of

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

converseverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərs/

carry on a conversation

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

cornnounUS /kɔːrn/

tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

cotnounUS /kɑːt/

a sheath worn to protect a finger

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

cotesnounUS /koʊts/

plural of “cote” — a small shelter for domestic animals (as sheep or pigeons)

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

deepadjectiveUS /diːp/

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

descriptiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈskrɪptɪv/

serving to describe or inform or characterized by description

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

dewnounUS /duː/

water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight from water vapor in the air

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

directverbUS /dərˈekt/

command with authority

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

dispenseverbUS /dɪˈspens/

administer or bestow, as in small portions

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

distant-tinkling

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

EachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

earlieradverbUS /ˈɜːrliər/

earlier in time; previously

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

earsnounUS /ɪrz/

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

effusions

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

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

eighteenthadjectiveUS /eɪˈtiːnθ/

coming next after the seventeenth in position

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

eldersnounUS /ˈeldərz/

plural of “elder” — a person who is older than you are

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

elmnounUS /elm/

any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

elmsnounUS /elmz/

plural of “elm” — any of various trees of the genus Ulmus: important timber or shade trees

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

embattledadjectiveUS /emˈbætəld/

(of a person) beset by difficulties or conflict

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

eveningnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋ/

the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

excellencenounUS /ˈeksələns/

the quality of excelling; possessing good qualities in high degree

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

faintadjectiveUS /feɪnt/

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

fairynounUS /ˈferi/

a small being, human in form, playful and having magical powers

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

feetnounUS /fiːt/

plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

floornounUS /flɔːr/

the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

followingadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːloʊɪŋ/

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

forbadeverbUS /fərˈbeɪd/

inflected form of “forbid” — command against

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

foregoingadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊɪŋ/

especially of writing or speech; going before

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

fragrancenounUS /ˈfreɪɡrəns/

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

FulladjectiveUS /fʊl/

containing as much or as many as is possible or normal

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

grassverbUS /ɡræs/

shoot down, of birds

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

grovenounUS /ɡroʊv/

a small growth of trees without underbrush

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

hauntedadjectiveUS /ˈhɔːntɪd/

having or showing excessive or compulsive concern with something

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

hawthornnounUS /ˈhɔːθɔːrn/

a spring-flowering shrub or small tree of the genus Crataegus

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

herdsnounUS /hɜːrdz/

plural of “herd” — a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals all of the same kind that are herded by humans

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

how

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

hummingnounUS /ˈhʌmɪŋ/

a humming noise

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

identicaladjectiveUS /aɪˈdentɪkəl/

exactly alike; incapable of being perceived as different

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

influencenounUS /ˈɪnfluːəns/

a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

inherentadjectiveUS /ɪnˈhɪrənt/

existing as an essential constituent or characteristic

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/

a search for knowledge

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

JosephnounUS /ˈdʒoʊsəf/

leader of the Nez Perce in their retreat from United States troops (1840-1904)

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

lawnounUS /lɔː/

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

layverbUS /leɪ/

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

leadverbUS /led/

take somebody somewhere

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

lightlyadverbUS /ˈlaɪtli/

without good reason

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

loudadjectiveUS /laʊd/

characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

lowings

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

lurkingverbUS /ˈlɜːrkɪŋ/

-ing form of “lurk” — lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

lyricsnounUS /ˈlɪrɪks/

plural of “lyric” — the text of a popular song or musical-comedy number

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

mannerismnounUS /ˈmænərɪzəm/

a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

mastiff's

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

mentionverbUS /ˈmenʃən/

make reference to

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

methinks

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/

plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

middlenounUS /ˈmɪdəl/

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

milkmaidnoun

a woman who works in a dairy

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

MiltonnounUS /ˈmɪltən/

English poet; remembered primarily as the author of an epic poem describing humanity's fall from grace (1608-1674)

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

Milton's

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

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

mossnounUS /mɔːs/

tiny leafy-stemmed flowerless plants

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

namesnounUS /neɪmz/

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

nestnounUS /nest/

a structure in which animals lay eggs or give birth to their young

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

nightingalenounUS /ˈnaɪtɪŋɡeɪl/

European songbird noted for its melodious nocturnal song

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

noisenounUS /nɔɪz/

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

and not; used after a negative to add a second negative

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

notenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

noticenounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

o'eradverb

throughout a period of time

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

o'erlay

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

objectsnounUS /ˈɑːbdʒekts/

plural of “object” — a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

obstinateadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbstənət/

tenaciously unwilling or marked by tenacious unwillingness to yield

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

OdenounUS /oʊd/

a lyric poem with complex stanza forms

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

onceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

pathnounUS /pæθ/

a course of conduct

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

perfumenounUS /pərˈfjuːm/

a distinctive odor that is pleasant

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

Philomel

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

plainadjectiveUS /pleɪn/

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

plaitsnounUS /pleɪts/

plural of “plait” — a hairdo formed by braiding or twisting the hair

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

poeticadjectiveUS /poʊˈetɪk/

of or relating to poetry

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/

literature in metrical form

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

poetsnounUS /ˈpoʊəts/

plural of “poet” — a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

possiblyadverbUS /ˈpɑːsəbli/

by chance

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

publishedadjectiveUS /ˈpʌblɪʃt/

prepared and printed for distribution and sale

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

RaptadjectiveUS /ræpt/

feeling great rapture or delight

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

rediscoverynounUS /ridɪˈskʌvri/

the act of discovering again

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

RefreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/

snacks and drinks served as a light meal

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

rejoiceverbUS /rɪˈdʒɔɪs/

feel happiness or joy

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/

located far away spatially

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

resistancenounUS /rɪˈzɪstəns/

the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

RestsnounUS /rests/

plural of “rest” — something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

revoltnounUS /rɪˈvoʊlt/

organized opposition to authority; a conflict in which one faction tries to wrest control from another

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

roveverbUS /roʊv/

move about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

rovingnounUS /ˈroʊvɪŋ/

travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

RustleverbUS /ˈrʌsəl/

make a dry crackling sound

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

sensenounUS /sens/

a general conscious awareness

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

sequesteredadjectiveUS /sɪˈkwestərd/

providing privacy or seclusion

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

shadyadjectiveUS /ˈʃeɪdi/

quiet, dark, or concealed

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

shellsnounUS /ʃelz/

plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

shepherdnounUS /ˈʃepərd/

a clergyman who watches over a group of people

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

showverbUS /ʃoʊ/

give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

showsnounUS /ʃoʊz/

plural of “show” — the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

similaradjectiveUS /ˈsɪmələr/

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

soothèd

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

specialadjectiveUS /ˈspeʃəl/

unique or specific to a person or thing or category

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

specimennounUS /ˈspesəmən/

an example regarded as typical of its class

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

speedingnounUS /ˈspiːdɪŋ/

changing location rapidly

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

SpensernounUS /ˈspensər/

English poet who wrote an allegorical romance celebrating Elizabeth I in the Spenserian stanza (1552-1599)

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

spicyadjectiveUS /ˈspaɪsi/

producing a burning sensation on the taste nerves

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

stilenounUS /staɪl/

an upright that is a member in a door or window frame

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

streamnounUS /striːm/

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

SummernounUS /ˈsʌmər/

the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

sweetadjectiveUS /swiːt/

having or denoting the characteristic taste of sugar

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

tangledadjectiveUS /ˈtæŋɡəld/

in a confused mass

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

TellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

theepronounUS /ðiː/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

thickly-woven

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

ThomasnounUS /ˈtɑːməs/

United States clockmaker who introduced mass production (1785-1859)

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

to-day

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

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

topnounUS /tɑːp/

the upper part of anything

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/

being five more than twenty

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

unknownadjectiveUS /ənˈnoʊn/

not known

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

wanderernounUS /ˈwɑːndərər/

someone who leads a wandering unsettled life

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

wantsnounUS /wɑːnts/

plural of “want” — a state of extreme poverty

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

warblingverbUS /ˈwɔːrbəlɪŋ/

-ing form of “warble” — sing or play with trills, alternating with the half note above or below

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

Warton's

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

Wartons

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

From this reading Here we notice at once, as we do in similar early effusions of both the Wartons, the direct influence of Milton's lyrics.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

wattledverbUS /ˈwɑːtəld/

past form of “wattle” — build of or with wattle

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

WhereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

wild-thyme's

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

woodbine's

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

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

woodbines

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

From this reading A specimen of Joseph Warton's descriptive poetry may here be given, not for its great inherent excellence, but because it shows his resistance to the obstinate classic mannerism:-- "Tell me the path, sweet wanderer, tell, To thy unknown sequestered cell, Where woodbines cluster round the door, Where shells and moss o'erlay the floor, And on whose top an hawthorn blows, Amid whose thickly-woven boughs Some nightingale still builds her nest, Each evening warbling thee to rest; Then lay me by the haunted stream, Rapt in some wild poetic dream, In converse while methinks I rove With Spenser through a fairy grove."

woodmannounUS /ˈwʊdmən/

someone who lives in the woods

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading To examine the effect of the rediscovery of Milton upon the poets of the middle of the eighteenth century would lead us too far from the special subject of our inquiry to-day.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading To show how identical were the methods of the two brothers we may compare the foregoing lines with the following from Thomas Warton's "Ode on the Approach of Summer" (published when he was twenty-five, and possibly written much earlier):-- "His wattled cotes the shepherd plaits; Beneath her elm the milkmaid chats; The woodman, speeding home, awhile Rests him at a shady stile; Nor wants there fragrance to dispense Refreshment o'er my soothèd sense; Nor tangled woodbine's balmy bloom, Nor grass besprent to breathe perfume, Nor lurking wild-thyme's spicy sweet To bathe in dew my roving feet; Nor wants there note of Philomel, Nor sound of distant-tinkling bell, Nor lowings faint of herds remote, Nor mastiff's bark from bosom'd cot; Rustle the breezes lightly borne O'er deep embattled ears of corn; Round ancient elms, with humming noise, Full loud the chafer-swarms rejoice."

youthfuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːθfəl/

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading The youthful poet is in full revolt against the law which forbade his elders to mention objects by their plain names.

Chapter 3 of Some Diversions of a Man of Letters by Edmund Gosse holds 394 sentences, grouped into 79 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 3 of Some Diversions of a Man of Letters contain?

Chapter 3 holds 394 sentences of Some Diversions of a Man of Letters, unabridged, divided into 79 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 3 of Some Diversions of a Man of Letters by Edmund Gosse exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 394 sentences, grouped into 79 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.

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Work through the 79 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

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Project Gutenberg eBook #18649, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

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Vocabulary met early in Some Diversions of a Man of Letters

Words and structures a reader meets early in Some Diversions of a Man of Letters, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Edmund
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Gosse
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Northern
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Studies
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