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Spenser
Spenser

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Spenser is here in full — 284 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/56 · 5 lines
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DEAN OF ST.
PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.
_The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.
As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.
One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Spenser

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of Spenser is here in full — 284 sentences across 57 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/56 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
DEAN OF ST.
Line 2
PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.
Line 3
_The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.
/ðə raɪt ʌv trænzˈleɪʃən ənd ˌriːprəˈdʌkʃən ɪz rɪˈzɜːrvd ˈnoʊtəs/
Line 4
As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.
Line 5
One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

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.

biographies noun US /baɪˈɑːɡrəfiz/

plural of “biography” — an account of the series of events making up a person's life

From this reading “As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.”

Brewer noun US /ˈbruːər/

someone who brews beer or ale from malt and hops and water

From this reading “One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.”

Calendars noun US /ˈkæləndərz/

plural of “calendar” — a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year

From this reading “One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.”

Carew noun US /ˈkæruː/

Englishman and Cavalier poet whose lyric poetry was favored by Charles I (1595-1639)

From this reading “One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.”

honorary adjective US /ˈɑːnəreri/

given as an honor without the normal duties

From this reading “PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.”

publications noun US /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “publication” — a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading “As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.”

Reproduction noun US /ˌriːprəˈdʌkʃən/

the process of generating offspring

From this reading “_The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.”

Spenser noun US /ˈspensər/

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

From this reading “As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

plan of verb + particle

In this reading “As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.”

All words in this reading · 66

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.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/

in addition to; as well as

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

biographiesnounUS /baɪˈɑːɡrəfiz/

plural of “biography” — an account of the series of events making up a person's life

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

BrewernounUS /ˈbruːər/

someone who brews beer or ale from malt and hops and water

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

CalendarsnounUS /ˈkæləndərz/

plural of “calendar” — a system of timekeeping that defines the beginning and length and divisions of the year

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

CarewnounUS /ˈkæruː/

Englishman and Cavalier poet whose lyric poetry was favored by Charles I (1595-1639)

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

Claude

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

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

COLLEGEnounUS /ˈkɑːlɪdʒ/

the body of faculty and students of a college

From this reading PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.

DEANnounUS /diːn/

an administrator in charge of a division of a university or college

From this reading DEAN OF ST.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

editionsnounUS /ɪˈdɪʃənz/

plural of “edition” — the form in which a text (especially a printed book) is published

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

encourageverbUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒ/

contribute to the progress or growth of

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

especiallyadverbUS /əˈspeʃli/

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

FELLOWnounUS /ˈfeloʊ/

a boy or man

From this reading PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.

footnotesnounUS /ˈfʊtnoʊts/

plural of “footnote” — a printed note placed below the text on a printed page

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

HamiltonnounUS /ˈhæməltən/

Irish mathematician (1806-1865)

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

HansnounUS /hɑːns/

plural of “han” — imperial dynasty that ruled China (most of the time from 206 BC to AD 220) and expanded its boundaries and developed its bureaucracy; remembered as one of the great eras of Chinese civilization

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

HONORARYadjectiveUS /ˈɑːnəreri/

given as an honor without the normal duties

From this reading PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/

a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

Lambeth

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

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

lateadjectiveUS /leɪt/

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/

a form of address for a man

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

MSS

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

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

NOTICEnounUS /ˈnoʊtəs/

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading DEAN OF ST.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

ORIELnoun

a projecting bay window corbeled or cantilevered out from a wall

From this reading PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.

PapersnounUS /ˈpeɪpərz/

writing that provides information (especially information of an official nature)

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

PAUL'SnounUS /pɔːlz/

possessive form of “paul” — United States feminist (1885-1977)

From this reading PAUL'S, HONORARY FELLOW OF ORIEL COLLEGE.

planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

prefaces

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

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

prefixed

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

ProfessornounUS /prəˈfesər/

someone who is a member of the faculty at a college or university

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

publicationsnounUS /ˌpʌblɪˈkeɪʃənz/

plural of “publication” — a copy of a printed work offered for distribution

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

ReproductionnounUS /ˌriːprəˈdʌkʃən/

the process of generating offspring

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

ReservedadjectiveUS /rɪˈzɜːrvd/

set aside for the use of a particular person or party

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

RightadverbUS /raɪt/

precisely, exactly

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

SpensernounUS /ˈspensər/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

ST

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

From this reading DEAN OF ST.

StatenounUS /steɪt/

the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

TranslationnounUS /trænzˈleɪʃən/

a written communication in a second language having the same meaning as the written communication in a first language

From this reading _The Right of Translation and Reproduction is Reserved._ NOTICE.

twonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

usefuladjectiveUS /ˈjuːsfəl/

being of use or service

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

variousadjectiveUS /ˈveriəs/

of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/

precisely as stated

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

volumesnounUS /ˈvɑːljuːmz/

plural of “volume” — the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

wishverbUS /wɪʃ/

hope for; have a wish

From this reading As the plan of these volumes does not encourage footnotes, I wish to say that, besides the biographies prefixed to the various editions of Spenser, there are two series of publications, which have been very useful to me.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading One is the series of Calendars of State Papers, especially the State Papers on Ireland and the Carew MSS. at Lambeth, with the prefaces of Mr. Hans Claude Hamilton and the late Professor Brewer.

Chapter 1 of Spenser by R. W. (Richard William) Church holds 284 sentences, grouped into 57 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of Spenser contain?

Chapter 1 holds 284 sentences of Spenser, unabridged, divided into 57 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of Spenser by R. W. (Richard William) Church exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 284 sentences, grouped into 57 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of Spenser?

Work through the 57 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 57 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Spenser

Common questions about reading Spenser by R. W. (Richard William) Church on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Spenser?

Yes. All 1902 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #31101 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Spenser is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #31101, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Spenser take to read?

About 158 minutes of reading across 381 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Spenser section by section

How to work through Spenser section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of Spenser to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Spenser

Words and structures a reader meets early in Spenser, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Paul's
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Spenser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Honorary
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Spenser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fellow
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Spenser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Oriel
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Spenser; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.