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The Duenna: A Comic Opera
The Duenna: A Comic Opera

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Duenna: A Comic Opera is here in full — 392 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Duenna: A Comic Opera
Context Illustration Reading 1/78 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!
He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!
Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.
_Don.
Louisa_.
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 Duenna: A Comic Opera

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Duenna: A Comic Opera is here in full — 392 sentences across 79 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/78 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!
Line 2
He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!
Line 3
Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.
Line 4
_Don.
/dɑːn/
Line 5
Louisa_.

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.

babe noun US /beɪb/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading “When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!”

borrow verb US /ˈbɑːroʊ/

get temporarily

From this reading “When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!”

deploring verb US /dɪˈplɔːrɪŋ/

-ing form of “deplore” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading “When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!”

enslave verb US /enˈsleɪv/

make a slave of; bring into servitude

From this reading “He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!”

restoring verb US /rɪˈstɔːrɪŋ/

-ing form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading “When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!”

sable noun US /ˈseɪbəl/

an artist's brush made of sable hairs

From this reading “When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!”

treacherous adjective US /ˈtretʃərəs/

dangerously unstable and unpredictable

From this reading “Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.”

Wakes noun US /weɪks/

plural of “wake” — the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)

From this reading “When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!”

All words in this reading · 89

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 When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(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 sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

babenounUS /beɪb/

a very young child (birth to 1 year) who has not yet begun to walk or talk

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

beautynounUS /ˈbjuːti/

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

borrowverbUS /ˈbɑːroʊ/

get temporarily

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

breastnounUS /brest/

the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

breathnounUS /breθ/

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

cameverbUS /keɪm/

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

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

carenounUS /ker/

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

caughtverbUS /kɑːt/

inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

cheerverbUS /tʃɪr/

give encouragement to

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

chid

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

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

couchnounUS /kaʊtʃ/

an upholstered seat for more than one person

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

deploringverbUS /dɪˈplɔːrɪŋ/

-ing form of “deplore” — express strong disapproval of

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

DonnounUS /dɑːn/

a Spanish gentleman or nobleman

From this reading _Don.

droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/

weak from exhaustion

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

EndlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/

tiresomely long; seemingly without end

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

enslaveverbUS /enˈsleɪv/

make a slave of; bring into servitude

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

faithnounUS /feɪθ/

a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

favournounUS /ˈfeɪvər/

a feeling of favorable regard

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

fear'd

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

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

flowersnounUS /ˈflaʊərz/

plural of “flower” — a plant cultivated for its blooms or blossoms

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

fondadjectiveUS /fɑːnd/

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

grantverbUS /ɡrænt/

let have

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

heartsnounUS /hɑːrts/

a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

hournounUS /ˈaʊər/

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

KissesnounUS /ˈkɪsəz/

plural of “kiss” — the act of caressing with the lips (or an instance thereof)

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

Lo

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

Louisa

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

From this reading Louisa_.

lovenounUS /lʌv/

a strong positive emotion of regard and affection

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

lovernounUS /ˈlʌvər/

a person who loves someone or is loved by someone

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

o'eradverb

throughout a period of time

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

Obtain'd

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

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

plantverbUS /plænt/

put or set (seeds, seedlings, or plants) into the ground

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

press'd

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

pretencenoun

a false or unsupportable quality

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

restverbUS /rest/

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

restoringverbUS /rɪˈstɔːrɪŋ/

-ing form of “restore” — return to its original or usable and functioning condition

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

sablenounUS /ˈseɪbəl/

an artist's brush made of sable hairs

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

sadadjectiveUS /sæd/

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

saveprepositionUS /seɪv/

except for; apart from

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

silentadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənt/

marked by absence of sound

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

sleepnounUS /sliːp/

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

soonadverbUS /suːn/

in the near future

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

sorrownounUS /ˈsɑːroʊ/

an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/

the act of taking something from someone unlawfully

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

sworeverbUS /swɔːr/

inflected form of “swear” — utter obscenities or profanities

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

tearverbUS /ter/

separate or cause to separate abruptly

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

thenceadverbUS /ðens/

from that place or that time

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

treacherousadjectiveUS /ˈtretʃərəs/

dangerously unstable and unpredictable

From this reading Then kneeling, Kisses stealing, Endless faith he swore; But soon I chid him thence, For had his fond pretence Obtain'd one favour then, And he had press'd again, I fear'd my treacherous heart might grant him more.

vow'd

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

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

WakesnounUS /weɪks/

plural of “wake” — the consequences of an event (especially a catastrophic event)

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

wearyverbUS /ˈwɪri/

exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

WeptverbUS /wept/

inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

widownounUS /ˈwɪdoʊ/

a woman whose husband is dead especially one who has not remarried

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading When sable night, each drooping plant restoring, Wept o'er the flowers her breath did cheer, As some sad widow o'er her babe deploring, Wakes its beauty with a tear; When all did sleep whose weary hearts did borrow One hour from love and care to rest, Lo! as I press'd my couch in silent sorrow, My lover caught me to his breast!

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He vow'd he came to save me From those who would enslave me!

Chapter 2 of The Duenna: A Comic Opera by Richard Brinsley Sheridan holds 392 sentences, grouped into 79 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 2 of The Duenna: A Comic Opera contain?

Chapter 2 holds 392 sentences of The Duenna: A Comic Opera, unabridged, divided into 79 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Duenna: A Comic Opera by Richard Brinsley Sheridan exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 392 sentences, grouped into 79 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 2 of The Duenna: A Comic Opera?

Work through the 79 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 79 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 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 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 Duenna: A Comic Opera

Common questions about reading The Duenna: A Comic Opera by Richard Brinsley Sheridan on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Duenna: A Comic Opera?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Duenna: A Comic Opera is used?

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

How long does The Duenna: A Comic Opera take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in The Duenna: A Comic Opera

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Duenna: A Comic Opera, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The Duenna: A Comic Opera, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The Duenna: A Comic Opera, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The Duenna: A Comic Opera, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.