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The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems
The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems is here in full — 115 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
[Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.
Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.
Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]
Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".
Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems is here in full — 115 sentences across 23 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
[Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.
Line 2
Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.
Line 3
Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]
/sʌm ˈɑːbviəs ˈerərz meɪ hæv bɪn kərˈektəd/
Line 4
Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".
Line 5
Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

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.

capitalized verb US /ˈkæpɪtəlaɪzd/

past form of “capitalize” — draw advantages from

From this reading “[Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.”

Cassandra noun US /kəˈsændrə/

(Greek mythology) a prophetess in Troy during the Trojan War whose predictions were true but were never believed

From this reading “Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".”

Cole noun US /koʊl/

a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head

From this reading “Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".”

Entertains verb US /ˌentərˈteɪnz/

third-person singular of “entertain” — provide entertainment for

From this reading “Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".”

Eros noun US /ˈɪrɑːs/

(Greek mythology) god of love; son of Aphrodite; identified with Roman Cupid

From this reading “Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".”

periodicals noun US /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəlz/

plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals

From this reading “Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".”

reprinted verb US /riˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “reprint” — print anew

From this reading “Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".”

Sirens noun US /ˈsaɪrənz/

plural of “siren” — a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived

From this reading “Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky”

All words in this reading · 90

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.

78

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

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

AgenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/

a native or inhabitant of the United States

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

AnotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]

BennounUS /ben/

a mountain or tall hill

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

Bewick

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

Bokardo

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

booknounUS /bʊk/

a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

brokenadjectiveUS /ˈbroʊkən/

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

BurningnounUS /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/

the act of burning something

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

CabinnounUS /ˈkæbən/

small room on a ship or boat where people sleep

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

capitalizedverbUS /ˈkæpɪtəlaɪzd/

past form of “capitalize” — draw advantages from

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

CassandranounUS /kəˈsændrə/

(Greek mythology) a prophetess in Troy during the Trojan War whose predictions were true but were never believed

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

charactersnounUS /ˈkærəktərz/

plural of “character” — an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

ClingingverbUS /ˈklɪŋɪŋ/

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

ColenounUS /koʊl/

a hardy cabbage with coarse curly leaves that do not form a head

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

continuationnounUS /kənˌtɪnjuːˈeɪʃən/

the act of continuing an activity without interruption

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

correctedadjectiveUS /kərˈektəd/

having something undesirable neutralized

From this reading Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]

DarknounUS /dɑːrk/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

Eileen

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

EntertainsverbUS /ˌentərˈteɪnz/

third-person singular of “entertain” — provide entertainment for

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

ErosnounUS /ˈɪrɑːs/

(Greek mythology) god of love; son of Aphrodite; identified with Roman Cupid

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/

plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention

From this reading Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]

Finzer

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

Flammonde

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

followsverbUS /ˈfɑːloʊz/

third-person singular of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

FragmentnounUS /ˈfræɡ.mənt/

A small part broken or separated off something larger.

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

GiftnounUS /ɡɪft/

something acquired without compensation

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

GodnounUS /ɡɑːd/

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

Gorham

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]

Hillcrest

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

HousenounUS /haʊs/

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

includedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdəd/

enclosed in the same envelope or package

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

indented

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

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

Italicized

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

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

JohnnounUS /dʒɑːn/

a room or building equipped with one or more toilets

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

JonsonnounUS /ˈdʒɑːnsən/

English dramatist and poet who was the first real poet laureate of England (1572-1637)

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

KingnounUS /kɪŋ/

a male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

LadynounUS /ˈleɪdi/

a polite name for any woman

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

LinesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

Lisette

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

Llewellyn

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

longeradverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɡər/

for more time

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

MannounUS /mæn/

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]

NotenounUS /noʊt/

a brief written record

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

obviousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbviəs/

easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

From this reading Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

OldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

PerilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/

fraught with danger

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

periodicalsnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəlz/

plural of “periodical” — a publication that appears at fixed intervals

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

phrasesnounUS /ˈfreɪzəz/

plural of “phrase” — an expression consisting of one or more words forming a grammatical constituent of a sentence

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

poemsnounUS /ˈpoʊəmz/

plural of “poem” — a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

PooradjectiveUS /puːr/

deserving or inciting pity

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

RelationnounUS /riˈleɪʃən/

an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of two entities or parts together

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

reprintedverbUS /riˈprɪntɪd/

past form of “reprint” — print anew

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

SeveraladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

SiegenounUS /siːdʒ/

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

SirensnounUS /ˈsaɪrənz/

plural of “siren” — a sea nymph (part woman and part bird) supposed to lure sailors to destruction on the rocks where the nymphs lived

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

SkynounUS /skaɪ/

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

SomeadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading Some obvious errors may have been corrected.]

spacesnounUS /ˈspeɪsəz/

plural of “space” — the unlimited expanse in which everything is located

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

Stafford's

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

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

Stratford

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

textnounUS /tekst/

the words of something written

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

Theophilus

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

TrailsnounUS /treɪlz/

plural of “trail” — a track or mark left by something that has passed

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

TreenounUS /triː/

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

Turannos

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Lines longer than 78 characters are broken and the continuation is indented two spaces.

Unforgiven

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

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

VeterannounUS /ˈvetərən/

a serviceman who has seen considerable active service

From this reading Flammonde The Gift of God The Clinging Vine Cassandra John Gorham Stafford's Cabin Hillcrest Old King Cole Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford Eros Turannos Old Trails The Unforgiven Theophilus Veteran Sirens Siege Perilous Another Dark Lady The Voice of Age The Dark House The Poor Relation The Burning Book Fragment Lisette and Eileen Llewellyn and the Tree Bewick Finzer Bokardo The Man against the Sky

VinenounUS /vaɪn/

a plant with a weak stem that derives support from climbing, twining, or creeping along a surface

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

VoicenounUS /vɔɪs/

the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Several of the poems included in this book are reprinted from American periodicals, as follows: "The Gift of God", "Old King Cole", "Another Dark Lady", and "The Unforgiven"; "Flammonde" and "The Poor Relation"; "The Clinging Vine"; "Eros Turannos" and "Bokardo"; "The Voice of Age"; "Cassandra"; "The Burning Book"; "Theophilus"; "Ben Jonson Entertains a Man from Stratford".

wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading [Note on text: Italicized words or phrases are capitalized.

Chapter 1 of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems by Edwin Arlington Robinson holds 115 sentences, grouped into 23 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems contain?

Chapter 1 holds 115 sentences of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems, unabridged, divided into 23 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems by Edwin Arlington Robinson exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 115 sentences, grouped into 23 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems?

Work through the 23 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 23 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems

Common questions about reading The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems by Edwin Arlington Robinson on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems?

Yes. All 583 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #1035 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #1035, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems take to read?

About 48 minutes of reading across 117 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems section by section

How to work through The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 5 chapters of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems 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 Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Italicized
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Words
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Phrases
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Capitalized
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Man Against the Sky: A Book of Poems; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.