Chapter 1 of The Maid of Sker is here in full — 83 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.
Chapter I
Chapter 1 of The Maid of Sker is here in full — 83 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
THE MAID OF SKER. THE MAID OF SKER. AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.' ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.] I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Chapter 1 of The Maid of Sker is here in full — 83 sentences across 17 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.
Reading 1/16 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5
These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading “I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.”
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading “AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'”
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading “I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.”
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading “I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.”
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading “I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.”
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading “I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.”
a female domestic
From this reading “THE MAID OF SKER.”
United States jazz singer noted for her complex bebop phrasing and scat singing (1924-1990)
From this reading “AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'”
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.
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.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
someone whose occupation is catching fish
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
a female domestic
From this reading THE MAID OF SKER.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE MAID OF SKER.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE MAID OF SKER.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE MAID OF SKER.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
a source of difficulty
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
United States jazz singer noted for her complex bebop phrasing and scat singing (1924-1990)
From this reading AUTHOR OF 'LORNA DOONE,' 'CLARA VAUGHAN,' AND 'CRADOCK NOWELL.'
in the company of; together with
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading I am but an ancient fisherman upon the coast of Glamorganshire, with work enough of my own to do, and trouble enough of my own to heed, in getting my poor living.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ᾽Εῥῥε, θεοῑσίν τ᾽ ἐχθρἐ, κἀι ἀνθρωποισιν ἅπιστε, ψυχρῳ ὃς ἐν κὁλπῲ ποἱκίλον ἐιχες ὅφιν.]
Chapter 1 of The Maid of Sker by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore holds 83 sentences, grouped into 17 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.
Chapter 1 holds 83 sentences of The Maid of Sker, unabridged, divided into 17 reading sections.
This page carries chapter 1 of The Maid of Sker by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 83 sentences, grouped into 17 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.
Work through the 17 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.
Each of the 17 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.
Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.
Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.
Common questions about reading The Maid of Sker by R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore on this page, its source edition and its audio.
Yes. All 8068 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #46156 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.
Project Gutenberg eBook #46156, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.
About 600 minutes of reading across 1614 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.
How to work through The Maid of Sker section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.
Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Maid of Sker to begin.
Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.
Words and structures a reader meets early in The Maid of Sker, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.
