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The King's Mirror
The King's Mirror

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The King's Mirror is here in full — 181 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/36 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A PIOUS HYPERBOLE.
Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.
My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.
I recollect the news coming.
The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.
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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 King's Mirror

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The King's Mirror is here in full — 181 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/36 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A PIOUS HYPERBOLE.
/ə ˈpaɪəs haɪˈpɜːrbəliː/
Line 2
Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.
/bɪˈfɔːr maɪ ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃən ðer wɑːz noʊ ɪˈvent ɪn ˈtʃaɪldhʊd ðæt ˌɪmˈprest ˌɪtˈself ɑːn maɪ ˈmem.ər.i wɪð mɑːrkt ɔːr ˈsɪŋɡjələr dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/
Line 3
My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.
Line 4
I recollect the news coming.
/aɪ ˌrekəˈlekt ðə nuːz ˈkʌmɪŋ/
Line 5
The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

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.

contracted adjective US /ˈkɑːntræktəd/

reduced in size or pulled together

From this reading “My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.”

coronation noun US /ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃən/

the ceremony of installing a new monarch

From this reading “Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.”

decease noun US /dɪˈsiːs/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading “My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.”

excursion noun US /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading “My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.”

frail adjective US /freɪl/

physically weak

From this reading “The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.”

games noun US /ɡeɪmz/

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading “My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.”

hyperbole noun US /haɪˈpɜːrbəliː/

extravagant exaggeration

From this reading “A PIOUS HYPERBOLE.”

recluse noun US /rɪˈkluːs/

one who lives in solitude

From this reading “The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.”

All words in this reading · 101

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 A PIOUS HYPERBOLE.

almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

alwaysadverbUS /ˈɔːlweɪz/

at all times; all the time and on every occasion

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

appearedverbUS /əˈpɪrd/

past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

Augustin

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

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

becameverbUS /bɪˈkeɪm/

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

BeforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

brothernounUS /ˈbrʌðər/

a male with the same parents as someone else

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

businessnounUS /ˈbɪznəs/

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

capitalnounUS /ˈkæpətəl/

assets available for use in the production of further assets

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/

the time of person's life when they are a child

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

chillnounUS /tʃɪl/

coldness due to a cold environment

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

clearlyadverbUS /ˈklɪrli/

without doubt or question

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

comingnounUS /ˈkʌmɪŋ/

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading I recollect the news coming.

conductedverbUS /kənˈdʌktəd/

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

contractedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːntræktəd/

reduced in size or pulled together

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

coronationnounUS /ˌkɔːrəˈneɪʃən/

the ceremony of installing a new monarch

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

deceasenounUS /dɪˈsiːs/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

distinctionnounUS /dɪˈstɪŋkʃən/

a discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

downadjectiveUS /daʊn/

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

eventnounUS /ɪˈvent/

something that happens at a given place and time

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

excursionnounUS /ɪkˈskɜːrʒən/

a journey taken for pleasure

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

faradverbUS /fɑːr/

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

fatenounUS /feɪt/

an event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/

possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

forbiddenadjectiveUS /fərˈbɪd.ən/

Not allowed; banned or prohibited by rule or law.

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/

physically weak

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

gamesnounUS /ɡeɪmz/

plural of “game” — a contest with rules to determine a winner

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

gloomyadjectiveUS /ˈɡluːmi/

depressingly dark

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

Hammerfeldt

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

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

healthnounUS /helθ/

a healthy state of wellbeing free from disease

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

henceforwardadverb

from this time forth; from now on

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

huntingnounUS /ˈhʌntɪŋ/

the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

HYPERBOLEnounUS /haɪˈpɜːrbəliː/

extravagant exaggeration

From this reading A PIOUS HYPERBOLE.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading I recollect the news coming.

importancenounUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtəns/

the quality of being important and worthy of note

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

impressedadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈprest/

deeply or markedly affected or influenced

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

instantnounUS /ˈɪnstənt/

a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

lessadverbUS /les/

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

mannounUS /mæn/

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

markedadjectiveUS /mɑːrkt/

strongly marked; easily noticeable

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

marriedadjectiveUS /ˈmerid/

joined in matrimony

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

meantverbUS /ment/

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

melancholynounUS /ˈmelənkɑːli/

a feeling of thoughtful sadness

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

nameverbUS /neɪm/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

newsnounUS /nuːz/

information about recent and important events

From this reading I recollect the news coming.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

PIOUSadjectiveUS /ˈpaɪəs/

having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity

From this reading A PIOUS HYPERBOLE.

PrincenounUS /prɪns/

a male member of a royal family other than the sovereign (especially the son of a sovereign)

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

reclusenounUS /rɪˈkluːs/

one who lives in solitude

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

recollectverbUS /ˌrekəˈlekt/

recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

From this reading I recollect the news coming.

residencenounUS /ˈrezɪdəns/

any address at which you dwell more than temporarily

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

resultnounUS /rɪˈzʌlt/

a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

roomsnounUS /ruːmz/

apartment consisting of a series of connected rooms used as a living unit (as in a hotel)

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

sadadjectiveUS /sæd/

experiencing or showing sorrow or unhappiness

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

singularadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡjələr/

unusual or striking

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

struckadjectiveUS /strʌk/

(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

unclenounUS /ˈʌŋkəl/

the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

von

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

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

weeknounUS /wiːk/

any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading My father's death, the result of a chill contracted during a hunting excursion, meant no more to me than a week of rooms gloomy and games forbidden; the decease of King Augustin, my uncle, appeared at the first instant of even less importance.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Before my coronation there was no event in childhood that impressed itself on my memory with marked or singular distinction.

withdrewverbUS /wɪθˈdruː/

inflected form of “withdraw” — pull back or move away or backward

From this reading The King, having been always in frail health, had never married; seeing clearly but not far, he was a sad man: the fate that struck down his brother increased his natural melancholy; he became almost a recluse, withdrew himself from the capital to a retired residence, and henceforward was little more than a name in which Prince von Hammerfeldt conducted the business of the country.

Chapter 2 of The King's Mirror by Anthony Hope holds 181 sentences, grouped into 37 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 King's Mirror contain?

Chapter 2 holds 181 sentences of The King's Mirror, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The King's Mirror by Anthony Hope exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 181 sentences, grouped into 37 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 King's Mirror?

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 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 King's Mirror

Common questions about reading The King's Mirror by Anthony Hope on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The King's Mirror?

Yes. All 7682 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #24034 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The King's Mirror is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #24034, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The King's Mirror take to read?

About 600 minutes of reading across 1537 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The King's Mirror section by section

How to work through The King's Mirror section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 29 chapters of The King's Mirror to begin.

  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 King's Mirror

Words and structures a reader meets early in The King's Mirror, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Author
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The King's Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chronicles
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The King's Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Count
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The King's Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Antonio--the
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The King's Mirror; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.