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The Secret Rose
The Secret Rose

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Secret Rose is here in full — 591 sentences across 119 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/118 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.
_My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.
Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?
My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.
I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Secret Rose

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Secret Rose is here in full — 591 sentences across 119 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/118 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.
Line 2
_My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.
Line 3
Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?
Line 4
My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.
Line 5
I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

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.

conscientious adjective US /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/

characterized by extreme care and great effort

From this reading “I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.”

dedicate verb US /ˈdedəkeɪt/

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading “_My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.”

ecstasy noun US /ˈekstəsi/

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading “Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?”

faltering noun US /ˈfɔːltərɪŋ/

the act of pausing uncertainly

From this reading “I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.”

Leonardo noun US /ˌliːəˈnɑːrdoʊ/

Italian painter and sculptor and engineer and scientist and architect; the most versatile genius of the Italian Renaissance (1452-1519)

patriotic adjective US /ˌpeɪtriˈɑːtɪk/

inspired by love for your country

From this reading “My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.”

sympathize verb US /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/

share the feelings of; understand the sentiments of

From this reading “_My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.”

wrinkles noun US /ˈrɪŋkəlz/

plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface

From this reading “As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.”

All words in this reading · 159

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

AdamnounUS /ˈædəm/

(Old Testament) in Judeo-Christian mythology; the first man and the husband of Eve and the progenitor of the human race

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

agenounUS /eɪdʒ/

how long something has existed

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

AlthoughconjunctionUS /ˌɔːlˈðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

anyadjectiveUS /ˈeni/

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

anyonepronounUS /ˈeniwʌn/

any person at all

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

askverbUS /æsk/

make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

booknounUS /bʊk/

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

builtadjectiveUS /bɪlt/

(used of soaps or cleaning agents) having a substance (an abrasive or filler) added to increase effectiveness

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

callverbUS /kɔːl/

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

cannot

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

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

carriedverbUS /ˈkærid/

inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

conscientiousadjectiveUS /ˌkɑːnʃiˈenʃəs/

characterized by extreme care and great effort

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

danounUS /dɑː/

an official prosecutor for a judicial district

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

denounUS /diː/

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

dearadjectiveUS /dɪr/

dearly loved

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

dedicateverbUS /ˈdedəkeɪt/

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

definiteadjectiveUS /ˈdefənət/

precise; explicit and clearly defined

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/

unlike in nature or quality or form or degree

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

EnounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

ecstasies

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

ecstasynounUS /ˈekstəsi/

a state of being carried away by overwhelming emotion

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

eternaladjectiveUS /ɪˈtɜːrnəl/

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/

divisible by two

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

facenounUS /feɪs/

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

falteringnounUS /ˈfɔːltərɪŋ/

the act of pausing uncertainly

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

famousadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪməs/

widely known and esteemed

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

feelingsnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋz/

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

flamenounUS /fleɪm/

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

foundedverbUS /ˈfaʊndɪd/

past form of “found” — set up or found

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

goingnounUS /ˈɡoʊɪŋ/

the act of departing

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

greateradjectiveUS /ˈɡreɪtər/

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

handnounUS /hænd/

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

HelennounUS /ˈhelən/

(Greek mythology) the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Leda who was abducted by Paris; the Greek army sailed to Troy to get her back which resulted in the Trojan War

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

historynounUS /ˈhɪstəri/

the aggregate of past events

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

how

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

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

illadjectiveUS /ɪl/

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

infiniteadjectiveUS /ˈɪnfənət/

having no limits or boundaries in time or space or extent or magnitude

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

IrelandnounUS /ˈaɪərlənd/

a republic consisting of 26 of 32 counties comprising the island of Ireland; achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1921

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

IrishnounUS /ˈaɪrɪʃ/

people of Ireland or of Irish extraction

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

Irishmen

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

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

L'Isle

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

LeonardonounUS /ˌliːəˈnɑːrdoʊ/

Italian painter and sculptor and engineer and scientist and architect; the most versatile genius of the Italian Renaissance (1452-1519)

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/

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

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

lookedverbUS /lʊkt/

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

mannersnounUS /ˈmænərz/

social deportment

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

meanverbUS /miːn/

mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/

polished surface that forms images by reflecting light

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

modernadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːdərn/

belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

momentsnounUS /ˈmoʊmənts/

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

moulded

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

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

moveverbUS /muːv/

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

MydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/

used when the speaker is also the object of the action

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

nationaladjectiveUS /ˈnæʃənəl/

of or relating to or belonging to a nation or country

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

naturaladjectiveUS /ˈnætʃərəl/

in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

numbernounUS /ˈnʌmbər/

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

others

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

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

patrioticadjectiveUS /ˌpeɪtriˈɑːtɪk/

inspired by love for your country

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/

by chance

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

personages

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

poemnounUS /ˈpoʊəm/

a composition written in metrical feet forming rhythmical lines

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

poetnounUS /ˈpoʊət/

a writer of poems (the term is usually reserved for writers of good poetry)

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

poetrynounUS /ˈpoʊətri/

literature in metrical form

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

reallyadverbUS /ˈrɪli/

in accordance with truth or fact or reality

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

romancenounUS /roʊˈmæns/

a relationship between two lovers

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

seeingnounUS /ˈsiːɪŋ/

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

servantsnounUS /ˈsɜːrvənts/

plural of “servant” — a person working in the service of another (especially in the household)

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

someadjectiveUS /sʌm/

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

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

sorrowsnounUS /ˈsɑːroʊz/

plural of “sorrow” — an emotion of great sadness associated with loss or bereavement

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

spiritualadjectiveUS /ˈspɪrɪtʃuːəl/

concerned with sacred matters or religion or the church

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/

plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

studynounUS /ˈstʌdi/

a detailed critical inspection

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

sympathizeverbUS /ˈsɪmpəθaɪz/

share the feelings of; understand the sentiments of

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

thinkverbUS /θɪŋk/

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

twiceadverbUS /twaɪs/

two times

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

understandverbUS /ˌʌndərˈstænd/

know and comprehend the nature or meaning of

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

versenounUS /vɜːrs/

literature in metrical form

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

Villiers

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

Vinci

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

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

warnounUS /wɔːr/

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading I on the other hand believe that poetry and romance cannot be made by the most conscientious study of famous moments and of the thoughts and feelings of others, but only by looking into that little, infinite, faltering, eternal flame that we call ourselves.

welladverbUS /wel/

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

weptverbUS /wept/

inflected form of “weep” — shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

whynounUS /waɪ/

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

witheredadjectiveUS /ˈwɪðərd/

lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

wonderedverbUS /ˈwʌndərd/

past form of “wonder” — have a wish or desire to know something

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

wrinklesnounUS /ˈrɪŋkəlz/

plural of “wrinkle” — a slight depression or fold in the smoothness of a surface

From this reading As for living, our servants will do that for us.--_Villiers de L'Isle Adam._ Helen, when she looked in her mirror, seeing the withered wrinkles made in her face by old age, wept, and wondered why she had twice been carried away.--_Leonardo da Vinci_.

writeverbUS /raɪt/

produce a literary work

From this reading My friends in Ireland sometimes ask me when I am going to write a really national poem or romance, and by a national poem or romance I understand them to mean a poem or romance founded upon some famous moment of Irish history, and built up out of the thoughts and feelings which move the greater number of patriotic Irishmen.

writtenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪtən/

set down in writing in any of various ways

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

wroteverbUS /roʊt/

inflected form of “write” — produce a literary work

From this reading Although I wrote these stories at different times and in different manners, and without any definite plan, they have but one subject, the war of spiritual with natural order; and how can I dedicate such a book to anyone but to you, the one poet of modern Ireland who has moulded a spiritual ecstasy into verse?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading _My dear A.E.--I dedicate this book to you because, whether you think it well or ill written, you will sympathize with the sorrows and the ecstasies of its personages, perhaps even more than I do myself.

Chapter 1 of The Secret Rose by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats holds 591 sentences, grouped into 119 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 Secret Rose contain?

Chapter 1 holds 591 sentences of The Secret Rose, unabridged, divided into 119 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Secret Rose by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 591 sentences, grouped into 119 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 Secret Rose?

Work through the 119 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 119 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 Secret Rose

Common questions about reading The Secret Rose by W. B. (William Butler) Yeats on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Secret Rose?

Yes. All 591 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #5795 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Secret Rose is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #5795, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Secret Rose take to read?

About 49 minutes of reading across 119 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Secret Rose section by section

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

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 1 chapters of The Secret Rose 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 Secret Rose

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

Living
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Rose; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Servants
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Rose; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Villiers
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Rose; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
L'isle
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Secret Rose; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.