Chapter 1 of The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem. is here in full — 351 sentences across 71 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
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Chapter I
Chapter 1 of The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem. is here in full — 351 sentences across 71 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A Satirical Poem. LATE OF LINCOLNS INN. When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law. BYRON. CAVENDISH SQUARE.
Chapter 1 of The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem. is here in full — 351 sentences across 71 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/70 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.
superlative of “bold” — fearless and daring
From this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
British chemist and physicist who established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen and who calculated the density of the earth (1731-1810)
From this reading “CAVENDISH SQUARE.”
without light
From this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
plural of “halt” — the state of inactivity following an interruption
From this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
plural of “knave” — a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
plural of “lincoln” — 16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading “LATE OF LINCOLNS INN.”
exposing human folly to ridicule
From this reading “A Satirical Poem.”
plural of “sneer” — a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls
From this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
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.
avoid (one's assigned duties)
In this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
In this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
In this reading “When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.”
Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.
Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Satirical Poem.
filled with fear or apprehension
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
superlative of “bold” — fearless and daring
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
English romantic poet notorious for his rebellious and unconventional lifestyle (1788-1824)
From this reading BYRON.
British chemist and physicist who established that water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen and who calculated the density of the earth (1731-1810)
From this reading CAVENDISH SQUARE.
made or joined or united into one
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
without light
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
even
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
plural of “fear” — an emotion experienced in anticipation of some specific pain or danger (usually accompanied by a desire to flee or fight)
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
plural of “fool” — a person who lacks good judgment
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
plural of “halt” — the state of inactivity following an interruption
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
a hotel providing overnight lodging for travelers
From this reading LATE OF LINCOLNS INN.
the quality of being just or fair
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
plural of “knave” — a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading LATE OF LINCOLNS INN.
the collection of rules imposed by authority
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
plural of “lincoln” — 16th President of the United States; saved the Union during the American Civil War and emancipated the slaves; was assassinated by Booth (1809-1865)
From this reading LATE OF LINCOLNS INN.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
throughout a period of time
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading LATE OF LINCOLNS INN.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines
From this reading A Satirical Poem.
be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
people in general considered as a whole
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
precisely, exactly
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
exposing human folly to ridicule
From this reading A Satirical Poem.
a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of inadequacy or guilt
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
wither, as with a loss of moisture
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
estrangement from god
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
plural of “sneer” — a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
make square
From this reading CAVENDISH SQUARE.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
not known
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
at the time that
From this reading When knaves and fools combined o’er all prevail, When justice halts, and right begins to fail; E’en then the boldest start from public sneers, Afraid of shame, unknown to other fears; More darkly sin, by satire kept in awe, And shrink from ridicule, if not from law.
Chapter 1 of The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem. by Reginald James Blewitt holds 351 sentences, grouped into 71 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.
Chapter 1 holds 351 sentences of The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem., unabridged, divided into 71 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem. by Reginald James Blewitt exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 351 sentences, grouped into 71 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.
Work through the 71 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 71 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 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.
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About 59 minutes of reading across 143 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
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Choose one of the 2 chapters of The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem. to begin.
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Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Court of Chancery: A Satirical Poem., each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
