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The Romance of a Poor Young Man
The Romance of a Poor Young Man

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Romance of a Poor Young Man is here in full — 423 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Romance of a Poor Young Man
Context Illustration Reading 1/84 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
London: The London Book Co. MCMVII.
To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.
To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.
To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.
_Diis aliter visum_.
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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 Romance of a Poor Young Man

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Romance of a Poor Young Man is here in full — 423 sentences across 85 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/84 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
London: The London Book Co. MCMVII.
Line 2
To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.
/tuː biː ˈsɪriəs ˈsɪriəsli ɪz ðə weɪ ʌv ˌmiːdiˈɑːkrəti/
Line 3
To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.
/tuː biː ˈsɪriəs ˈɡeɪli ɪz nɑːt sʌtʃ æn ˈiːzi ˈmætər/
Line 4
To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.
Line 5
_Diis aliter visum_.

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.

comedy noun US /ˈkɑːmədi/

light and humorous drama with a happy ending

From this reading “To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.”

dissolution noun US /ˌdɪsəˈluːʃən/

separation into component parts

From this reading “To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.”

gaily adverb US /ˈɡeɪli/

in a gay manner

From this reading “To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.”

inevitable adjective US /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading “To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.”

mediocrity noun US /ˌmiːdiˈɑːkrəti/

ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding

From this reading “To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.”

neatly adverb US /ˈniːtli/

with neatness

From this reading “To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.”

pantomime noun US /ˈpæntəmaɪm/

a performance using gestures and body movements without words

From this reading “To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.”

perpetual adjective US /pərˈpetʃuːəl/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading “To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

easy matter adjective + noun

In this reading “To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.”

All words in this reading · 48

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.

aliter

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

From this reading _Diis aliter visum_.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

BooknounUS /bʊk/

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

From this reading London: The London Book Co. MCMVII.

ConounUS /koʊ/

an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon

From this reading London: The London Book Co. MCMVII.

comedynounUS /ˈkɑːmədi/

light and humorous drama with a happy ending

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

Diis

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

From this reading _Diis aliter visum_.

dissolutionnounUS /ˌdɪsəˈluːʃən/

separation into component parts

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.

eyesnounUS /aɪz/

opinion or judgment

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

gailyadverbUS /ˈɡeɪli/

in a gay manner

From this reading To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.

hereadverbUS /hiːr/

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

inevitableadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈnevətəbəl/

incapable of being avoided or prevented

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

LondonnounUS /ˈlʌndən/

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading London: The London Book Co. MCMVII.

lookverbUS /lʊk/

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

matternounUS /ˈmætər/

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.

MCMVII

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

From this reading London: The London Book Co. MCMVII.

mediocritynounUS /ˌmiːdiˈɑːkrəti/

ordinariness as a consequence of being average and not outstanding

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

missverbUS /mɪs/

fail to perceive or to catch with the senses or the mind

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

neatlyadverbUS /ˈniːtli/

with neatness

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

oppositeadjectiveUS /ˈɑːpəzət/

being directly across from each other; facing

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

pantomimenounUS /ˈpæntəmaɪm/

a performance using gestures and body movements without words

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

purblindadjective

having greatly reduced vision

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

resolutionnounUS /ˌrezəˈluːʃən/

a formal expression by a meeting; agreed to by a vote

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

separatedadjectiveUS /ˈsepəreɪtɪd/

being or feeling set or kept apart from others

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/

concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

seriouslyadverbUS /ˈsɪriəsli/

in a serious manner

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading To be serious gaily is not such an easy matter.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading London: The London Book Co. MCMVII.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

tragedynounUS /ˈtrædʒədi/

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

visum

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

From this reading _Diis aliter visum_.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading To be serious seriously is the way of mediocrity.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading To look on at the pantomime of things, and to see, neatly separated, tragedy here, comedy opposite—to miss the perpetual dissolution and resolution of the one into and out of the other—is inevitable when eyes are purblind.

Chapter 1 of The Romance of a Poor Young Man by Octave Feuillet holds 423 sentences, grouped into 85 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Romance of a Poor Young Man contain?

Chapter 1 holds 423 sentences of The Romance of a Poor Young Man, unabridged, divided into 85 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Romance of a Poor Young Man by Octave Feuillet exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 423 sentences, grouped into 85 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 Romance of a Poor Young Man?

Work through the 85 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 85 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 Romance of a Poor Young Man

Common questions about reading The Romance of a Poor Young Man by Octave Feuillet on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Romance of a Poor Young Man?

Yes. All 3305 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #45200 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Romance of a Poor Young Man is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #45200, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Romance of a Poor Young Man take to read?

About 275 minutes of reading across 661 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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  1. Open a chapter

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  3. Listen and tap

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Vocabulary met early in The Romance of a Poor Young Man

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Romance of a Poor Young Man, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

London
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romance of a Poor Young Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Mcmvii
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romance of a Poor Young Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Serious
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romance of a Poor Young Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Seriously
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romance of a Poor Young Man; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.