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The Countess Cathleen
The Countess Cathleen

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Countess Cathleen is here in full — 439 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/87 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.
SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.
The walls are of one colour.
The scene should have the effect of missal Painting.
MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Countess Cathleen

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Countess Cathleen is here in full — 439 sentences across 88 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/87 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.
Line 2
SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.
Line 3
The walls are of one colour.
/ðə wɔːlz ɑːr ʌv wʌn ˈkʌlər/
Line 4
The scene should have the effect of missal Painting.
/ðə siːn ʃʊd hæv ðə ɪˈfekt ʌv ˈmɪsəl ˈpeɪntɪŋ/
Line 5
MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.

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.

Demons noun US /ˈdiːmənz/

plural of “demon” — an evil supernatural being

From this reading “"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.”

disguised adjective US /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading “"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.”

Foster verb US /ˈfɑːstər/

promote the growth of

From this reading “"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.”

grinding noun US /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/

material resulting from the process of grinding

From this reading “MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.”

Lament verb US /ləˈment/

express grief verbally

From this reading “"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.”

Merchants noun US /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading “"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.”

missal noun US /ˈmɪsəl/

(Roman Catholic Church) a book containing all the prayers and responses needed to celebrate Mass throughout the year

From this reading “The scene should have the effect of missal Painting.”

sorrowful adjective US /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/

experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss

From this reading “"The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

airnounUS /er/

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

ALEEL

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

Angelicaladjective

of or relating to angels

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

BeingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/

plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

Bourke

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

CATHLEEN

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

colouradjectiveUS /ˈkʌlər/

having or capable of producing colors

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

COUNTESSnounUS /ˈkaʊntəs/

female equivalent of a count or earl

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

DemonsnounUS /ˈdiːmənz/

plural of “demon” — an evil supernatural being

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

diapered

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

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

disguisedadjectiveUS /dɪsˈɡaɪzd/

having its true character concealed with the intent of misleading

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

doornounUS /dɔːr/

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

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

dumbadjectiveUS /dʌm/

slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectual acuity

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

effectnounUS /ɪˈfekt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading The scene should have the effect of missal Painting.

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

flatadjectiveUS /flæt/

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/

being ten more than thirty

From this reading MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.

FosterverbUS /ˈfɑːstər/

promote the growth of

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

goldnounUS /ɡoʊld/

coins made of gold

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

grindingnounUS /ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/

material resulting from the process of grinding

From this reading MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading The scene should have the effect of missal Painting.

HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

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 "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

laidadjectiveUS /leɪd/

set down according to a plan

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

LamentverbUS /ləˈment/

express grief verbally

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

lightedadjectiveUS /ˈlaɪtəd/

set afire or burning

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

MarynounUS /ˈmeri/

the mother of Jesus; Christians refer to her as the Virgin Mary; she is especially honored by Roman Catholics

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

MerchantsnounUS /ˈmɜːrtʃənts/

plural of “merchant” — a businessperson engaged in retail trade

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

MissverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

missalnounUS /ˈmɪsəl/

(Roman Catholic Church) a book containing all the prayers and responses needed to celebrate Mass throughout the year

From this reading The scene should have the effect of missal Painting.

Morionnoun

a metal helmet worn by common soldiers in the 16th century

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

MothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

OONA

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

paintedadjectiveUS /ˈpeɪntɪd/

coated with paint

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

PaintingnounUS /ˈpeɪntɪŋ/

graphic art consisting of an artistic composition made by applying paints to a surface

From this reading The scene should have the effect of missal Painting.

PeasantnounUS /ˈpezənt/

a country person

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

PeasantsnounUS /ˈpezənts/

plural of “peasant” — a country person

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

PoetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

quernnoun

a primitive stone mill for grinding corn by hand

From this reading MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.

roomnounUS /ruːm/

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

RUA

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

ScenenounUS /siːn/

the place where some action occurs

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

seesnounUS /siːz/

plural of “see” — the seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

ServantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

Shehone

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

SHEMUS

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

skynounUS /skaɪ/

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.

SonnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

sorrowfuladjectiveUS /ˈsɑːroʊfəl/

experiencing or marked by or expressing sorrow especially that associated with irreparable loss

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

SpiritsnounUS /ˈspɪrɪts/

an alcoholic beverage that is distilled rather than fermented

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

TEIG

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

theepronounUS /ðiː/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

throughprepositionUS /θruː/

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

treesnounUS /triːz/

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

TwonounUS /tuː/

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

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

wallsnounUS /wɔːlz/

plural of “wall” — an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading The walls are of one colour.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

WifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading "The sorrowful are dumb for thee" Lament of Morion Shehone for Miss Mary Bourke SHEMUS RUA, A Peasant MARY, His Wife TEIG, His Son ALEEL, A Poet THE COUNTESS CATHLEEN OONA, Her Foster Mother Two Demons disguised as Merchants Peasants, Servants, Angelical Beings, Spirits The Scene is laid in Ireland and in old times.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

womannounUS /ˈwʊmən/

an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.

woodnounUS /wʊd/

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading SCENE--A room with lighted fire, and a door into the open air, through which one sees, perhaps, the trees of a wood, and these trees should be painted in flat colour upon a gold or diapered sky.

yearsnounUS /jɪrz/

a late time of life

From this reading MARY, a woman of forty years or so, is grinding a quern.

Chapter 1 of The Countess Cathleen by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats holds 439 sentences, grouped into 88 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Countess Cathleen contain?

Chapter 1 holds 439 sentences of The Countess Cathleen, unabridged, divided into 88 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Countess Cathleen by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 439 sentences, grouped into 88 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Countess Cathleen?

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

Each of the 88 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

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

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

Questions about reading The Countess Cathleen

Common questions about reading The Countess Cathleen by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Countess Cathleen?

Yes. All 1317 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5167 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Countess Cathleen is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5167, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Countess Cathleen take to read?

About 109 minutes of reading across 264 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Countess Cathleen section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

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  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 The Countess Cathleen

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Countess Cathleen, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Sorrowful
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Countess Cathleen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Lament
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Countess Cathleen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Morion
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Countess Cathleen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Shehone
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Countess Cathleen; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.