Chapter 2 of Speed the plough is here in full — 492 sentences across 99 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter II
Chapter 2 of Speed the plough is here in full — 492 sentences across 99 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
_Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise. [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it? _Dame._ Nay, Tummas! you told me! _Ash._ Did I? _Dame._ There's the letter!
Chapter 2 of Speed the plough is here in full — 492 sentences across 99 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/98 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
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.
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading “_Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.”
the residue that remains when something is burned
informal terms for a (young) woman
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading “_Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.”
to an extraordinary extent or degree
an old word for “no”
From this reading “_Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.”
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading “_Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.”
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
From this reading “[_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?”
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.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
troubled emotionally and usually deeply
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
the residue that remains when something is burned
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
informal terms for a (young) woman
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading _Ash._ Did I?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
to an extraordinary extent or degree
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?
and nothing more
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading _Dame._ There's the letter!
engage in
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas! you told me!
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
an old word for “no”
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
used of mouth or eyes
From this reading [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
From this reading [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?
express in words
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person
From this reading [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ There's the letter!
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas! you told me!
make an effort or attempt
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it?
an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise.
Chapter 2 of Speed the plough by Thomas Morton holds 492 sentences, grouped into 99 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.
Chapter 2 holds 492 sentences of Speed the plough, unabridged, divided into 99 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 2 of Speed the plough by Thomas Morton exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 492 sentences, grouped into 99 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.
Work through the 99 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 99 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.
Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.
Common questions about reading Speed the plough by Thomas Morton on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 1439 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #19407 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #19407, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 119 minutes of reading across 288 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through Speed the plough section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 3 chapters of Speed the plough to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in Speed the plough, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
