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The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning
The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning

Chapter XXXIII

Chapter 33 of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning is here in full — 827 sentences across 166 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/165 · 5 lines
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LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!
And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.
LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?
--Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?
LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning

Chapter XXXIII

Chapter 33 of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning is here in full — 827 sentences across 166 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/165 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!
Line 2
And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.
/ənd æt ðə deɪz end boʊst ðə kraʊnz əˈwɔːrd biː ˈwɔːrəntɪd æz ˈprɑːməsɪŋ tuː wiːld ˈwepənz noʊ ʃæm ɪn ə truː ˈbætəlfiːld/
Line 3
LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?
Line 4
--Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?
Line 5
LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

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.

award noun US /əˈwɔːrd/

a grant made by a law court

From this reading “And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.”

blunted adjective US /ˈblʌntəd/

made dull or blunt

From this reading “LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!”

counterfeited verb US /ˈkaʊntərfɪtɪd/

past form of “counterfeit” — make a copy of with the intent to deceive

From this reading “LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?”

crown's noun US /kraʊnz/

possessive form of “crown” — the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading “And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.”

pent adjective US /pent/

closely confined

From this reading “LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.”

relapse verb US /riˈlæps/

deteriorate in health

From this reading “--Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?”

simulated adjective US /ˈsɪmjəleɪtɪd/

not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

From this reading “LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?”

swerve noun US /swɜːrv/

the act of turning aside suddenly

From this reading “LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!”

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.

On earth preposition + noun

used with question words to convey surprise

In this reading “LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.”

fall on verb + particle

In this reading “LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!”

All words in this reading · 122

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 And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

AcquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

aimverbUS /eɪm/

point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

awardnounUS /əˈwɔːrd/

a grant made by a law court

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

battlefieldnounUS /ˈbætəlfiːld/

a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

Beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

bluntedadjectiveUS /ˈblʌntəd/

made dull or blunt

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

boastverbUS /boʊst/

show off

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

bonesnounUS /boʊnz/

(used in the plural) a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

breakverbUS /breɪk/

terminate

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

counterfeitedverbUS /ˈkaʊntərfɪtɪd/

past form of “counterfeit” — make a copy of with the intent to deceive

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

couragenounUS /ˈkɜːrədʒ/

a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

crown'snounUS /kraʊnz/

possessive form of “crown” — the Crown (or the reigning monarch) as the symbol of the power and authority of a monarchy

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

dartverbUS /dɑːrt/

move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

day'snounUS /deɪz/

possessive form of “day” — time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

effectless

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

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

elementnounUS /ˈeləmənt/

an abstract part of something

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

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

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

FailurenounUS /ˈfeɪljər/

an act that fails

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

fallverbUS /fɔːl/

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

fixverbUS /fɪks/

restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

gainverbUS /ɡeɪn/

obtain

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

justadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

kindadjectiveUS /kaɪnd/

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

LXIIIadjective

being three more than sixty

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

LXIVadjective

being four more than sixty

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

LXVadjective

being five more than sixty

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

MeantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

meetverbUS /miːt/

come together

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

muchadverbUS /mʌtʃ/

to a great degree or extent

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/

an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

nervenounUS /nɜːrv/

any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and tissues of the body

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

NodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/

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

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

observeverbUS /əbˈzɜːrv/

discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

operationnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃən/

the state of being in effect or being operative

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

ownverbUS /oʊn/

have ownership or possession of

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

pageantnounUS /ˈpædʒənt/

an elaborate representation of scenes from history etc; usually involves a parade with rich costumes

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

pentadjectiveUS /pent/

closely confined

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

playverbUS /pleɪ/

participate in games or sport

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

promisingadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːməsɪŋ/

showing possibility of achievement or excellence

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

properadjectiveUS /ˈprɑːpər/

marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

proveverbUS /pruːv/

be shown or be found to be

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

QuiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

receiveverbUS /rəˈsiːv/

get something; come into possession of

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

regardnounUS /rɪˈɡɑːrd/

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

relapseverbUS /riˈlæps/

deteriorate in health

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

remoteadjectiveUS /rɪˈmoʊt/

located far away spatially

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

snounUS /es/

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

seemsverbUS /siːmz/

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

shamnounUS /ʃæm/

something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

SightnounUS /saɪt/

an instance of visual perception

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

simplyadverbUS /ˈsɪmpli/

and nothing more

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

simulatedadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmjəleɪtɪd/

not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

smote

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

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

SoconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

spearnounUS /spɪr/

a long pointed rod used as a tool or weapon

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

startledadjectiveUS /ˈstɑːrtəld/

excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

stormsnounUS /stɔːrmz/

plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

SuccessnounUS /səkˈses/

an event that accomplishes its intended purpose

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

swardnounUS /swɔːrd/

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

swervenounUS /swɜːrv/

the act of turning aside suddenly

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

thunderclaps

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

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

touchesnounUS /ˈtʌtʃəz/

plural of “touch” — the event of something coming in contact with the body

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

tourney-regulations

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

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

trueadjectiveUS /truː/

consistent with fact or reality; not false

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

truthsnounUS /truːθs/

plural of “truth” — a fact that has been verified

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

vagueadjectiveUS /veɪɡ/

not clearly expressed or understood

From this reading --Sight, beauty, every dart of every aim That touches just, then seems, by strange relapse, To fall effectless from the soul it came As if to fix its own, but simply smote And startled to vague beauty more remote?

warrantedverbUS /ˈwɔːrəntɪd/

past form of “warrant” — provide adequate grounds to justify (a certain course of action)

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

WeaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/

plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

welladverbUS /wel/

(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 LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

Wherein

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

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading LXIV Meantime, our simulated thunderclaps Which tell us counterfeited truths--these same Are--sound, when music storms the soul, perhaps?

wieldverbUS /wiːld/

have and exercise

From this reading And, at the day's end, boast the crown's award-- Be warranted as promising to wield Weapons, no sham, in a true battlefield.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading LXV So do we gain enough--yet not too much-- Acquaintance with that outer element Wherein there 's operation (call it such!) Quite of another kind than we the pent On earth are proper to receive.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading LXIII No, we must play the pageant out, observe The tourney-regulations, and regard Success--to meet the blunted spear nor swerve, Failure--to break no bones yet fall on sward; Must prove we have--not courage? well then--nerve!

Chapter 33 of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning by Robert Browning holds 827 sentences, grouped into 166 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 33 of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning contain?

Chapter 33 holds 827 sentences of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning, unabridged, divided into 166 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 33 of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning by Robert Browning exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 827 sentences, grouped into 166 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 33 of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning?

Work through the 166 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 166 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 33 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 33 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.

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Common questions about reading The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning by Robert Browning on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning?

Yes. All 33314 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #50954 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #50954, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 6663 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning section by section

How to work through The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

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Vocabulary met early in The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Scene
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Council
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chamber
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Rivoli
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Complete Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.