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The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth
The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth is here in full — 577 sentences across 116 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By Unknown • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth
Context Illustration Reading 1/115 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE DESCENT OF THE SUN.
(The illusion of a waking dream.)
Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.
[_vide n. p._ xv.]
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth is here in full — 577 sentences across 116 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/115 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE DESCENT OF THE SUN.
/ðə dɪˈsent ʌv ðə sʌn/
Line 2
(The illusion of a waking dream.)
/ðə ˌɪˈluːʒən ʌv ə ˈweɪ.kɪŋ driːm/
Line 3
Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.
Line 4
[_vide n. p._ xv.]
Line 5
TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.
/trænzˈleɪtɪd frʌm ðə ərˈɪdʒənəl ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/

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.

Bubble verb US /ˈbʌbəl/

form, produce, or emit bubbles

From this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Digit noun US /ˈdɪdʒət/

one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration

From this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Hues noun US /hjuːz/

plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
illusion noun US /ˌɪˈluːʒən/

an erroneous mental representation

From this reading “(The illusion of a waking dream.)”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
manuscript noun US /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/

A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.

From this reading “TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.”

Velmora curated lexicon
Swoon verb US /swuːn/

pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain

From this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
transitory adjective US /ˈtrænzətɔːri/

lasting a very short time

From this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Vestibule noun US /ˈvestɪbjuːl/

a large entrance or reception room or area

From this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

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.

waking dream adjective + noun

In this reading “(The illusion of a waking dream.)”

583 times in 426,211 chapters
ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT adjective + noun

In this reading “TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.”

223 times in 426,211 chapters
TRANSLATED FROM verb + particle counted as “translate from”

In this reading “TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.”

1,246 times in 426,211 chapters
In the Vestibule preposition + article + noun counted as “in … vestibule”

In this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

1,107 times in 426,211 chapters
In the Shadow preposition + article + noun counted as “in … shadow”

In this reading “Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.”

10,289 times in 426,211 chapters

All words in this reading · 41

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 illusion of a waking dream.)

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
BirthnounUS /bɜːrθ/

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
BubbleverbUS /ˈbʌbəl/

form, produce, or emit bubbles

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
DESCENTnounUS /dɪˈsent/

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading THE DESCENT OF THE SUN.

Velmora curated lexicon
DigitnounUS /ˈdɪdʒət/

one of the elements that collectively form a system of numeration

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading (The illusion of a waking dream.)

Velmora curated lexicon
Dreameth

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

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Pending verification
EarthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

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

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HeavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
HitheradverbUS /ˈhɪðər/

an old word meaning “to this place”

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
HuesnounUS /hjuːz/

plural of “hue” — the quality of a color as determined by its dominant wavelength

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
hurledverbUS /hɜːrld/

past form of “hurl” — throw forcefully

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
illusionnounUS /ˌɪˈluːʒən/

an erroneous mental representation

From this reading (The illusion of a waking dream.)

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
LikeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
MANUSCRIPTnounUS /ˈmæn.jə.skrɪpt/

A book, document, or piece of music written by hand rather than typed or printed.

From this reading TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.

Velmora curated lexicon
MoonnounUS /muːn/

the natural satellite of the Earth

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nnounUS /en/

a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues

From this reading [_vide n. p._ xv.]

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OceannounUS /ˈoʊʃən/

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE DESCENT OF THE SUN.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
ORIGINALadjectiveUS /ərˈɪdʒənəl/

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pnounUS /piː/

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading [_vide n. p._ xv.]

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ShadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Velmora curated lexicon
SpiritnounUS /ˈspɪrət/

the vital principle or animating force within living things

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SUNnounUS /sʌn/

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading THE DESCENT OF THE SUN.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
SwoonverbUS /swuːn/

pass out from weakness, physical or emotional distress due to a loss of blood supply to the brain

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE DESCENT OF THE SUN.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
thitheradverbUS /ˈðɪθɜːr/

an old word meaning “to that place”

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Velmora grammar entry · CMU Pronouncing Dictionary
transitoryadjectiveUS /ˈtrænzətɔːri/

lasting a very short time

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
TRANSLATEDverbUS /trænzˈleɪtɪd/

past form of “translate” — restate (words) from one language into another language

From this reading TRANSLATED FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
troublenounUS /ˈtrʌbəl/

a source of difficulty

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
undergoeth

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

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Pending verification
VestibulenounUS /ˈvestɪbjuːl/

a large entrance or reception room or area

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vide

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

From this reading [_vide n. p._ xv.]

Pending verification
wakingadjectiveUS /ˈweɪ.kɪŋ/

Risen from sleep; conscious.

From this reading (The illusion of a waking dream.)

Velmora curated lexicon
Weareth

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

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

Pending verification
WorldnounUS /wɜːrld/

everything that exists anywhere

From this reading Like a Digit of the Moon In the Shadow of the Earth Spirit undergoeth Swoon In the Vestibule of Birth; Dreameth transitory trouble, Weareth Hues of Heaven, hurled Hither, thither, as a Bubble On the Ocean of the World.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
xvnoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one

From this reading [_vide n. p._ xv.]

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Chapter 1 of The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth by Unknown holds 577 sentences, grouped into 116 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 descent of the sun: A cycle of birth contain?

Chapter 1 holds 577 sentences of The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth, unabridged, divided into 116 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth by Unknown exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 577 sentences, grouped into 116 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 descent of the sun: A cycle of birth?

Work through the 116 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 116 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 descent of the sun: A cycle of birth

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

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Vocabulary met early in The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth

Words and structures a reader meets early in The descent of the sun: A cycle of birth, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
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