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The Romany Rye

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Romany Rye is here in full — 59 sentences across 12 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By George Borrow • Curated US English Learning Edition

Cover illustration for The Romany Rye

English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5

The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

The dingle was dank and dripping.

I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

Narrator

Speed 0.75x

AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English

LEARNER DICTIONARY

Archivist

/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/

Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Chapter I Reading 1/11

The Romany Rye

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Romany Rye is here in full — 59 sentences across 12 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1

The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

Line 2

I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

Line 3

The dingle was dank and dripping.

Line 4

I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

Line 5

I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

All words in this reading · 51

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.

a

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

and

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

as

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

ascended

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

asleep

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

at

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

awoke

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

break

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

Breakfast

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

chaise

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

coals

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

dank

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

From this reading The dingle was dank and dripping.

day

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

Departure

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

dingle

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

From this reading The dingle was dank and dripping.

dripping

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

From this reading The dingle was dank and dripping.

evening

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

fast

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

field

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

fire

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

first

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

forge

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

got

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

had

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

I

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

in

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

it

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

leaving

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

left

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

lighted

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

Linch-pin

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

Making

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

my

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

of

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

on

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

out

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

postillion

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

Postillion's

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

previous

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

readiness

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

From this reading I lighted a fire of coals, and got my forge in readiness.

Sleeper

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

Sound

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

standing

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

stepped

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

tent

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

From this reading I awoke at the first break of day, and, leaving the postillion fast asleep, stepped out of the tent.

The

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

From this reading The Making of the Linch-pin--The Sound Sleeper--Breakfast--The Postillion's Departure.

then

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

to

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

was

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

From this reading The dingle was dank and dripping.

we

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

where

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

From this reading I then ascended to the field, where the chaise was standing as we had left it on the previous evening.

Chapter 1 of The Romany Rye by George Borrow holds 59 sentences, grouped into 12 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 Romany Rye contain?

Chapter 1 holds 59 sentences of The Romany Rye, unabridged, divided into 12 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Romany Rye by George Borrow exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 59 sentences, grouped into 12 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 Romany Rye?

Work through the 12 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 12 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 Romany Rye

Common questions about reading The Romany Rye by George Borrow on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Romany Rye?

Yes. All 5352 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #422 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Romany Rye is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #422, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Romany Rye take to read?

About 446 minutes of reading across 1071 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Romany Rye section by section

How to work through The Romany Rye section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

Open a chapter

Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Romany Rye to begin.
Read one section

Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.
Listen and tap

Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Romany Rye

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Romany Rye, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Making: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romany Rye; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Linch-pin--the: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romany Rye; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sound: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romany Rye; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sleeper--breakfast--the: A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Romany Rye; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.