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The Slave of the Lamp
The Slave of the Lamp

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Slave of the Lamp is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/33 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.
When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.
Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.
We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.
We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Slave of the Lamp

Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

Chapter 16 of The Slave of the Lamp is here in full — 169 sentences across 34 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/33 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.
Line 2
When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.
Line 3
Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.
/mɔːˈroʊvər ðə ˈækʃən ɪz ˈpjʊrli ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/
Line 4
We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.
Line 5
We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

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.

analysis noun US /əˈnæləsəs/

an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole

From this reading “When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.”

cringe verb US /krɪndʒ/

draw back, as with fear or pain

From this reading “We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.”

foes noun US /foʊz/

plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading “FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.”

imaginary adjective US /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/

not based on fact; existing only in the imagination

From this reading “FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.”

involuntary adjective US /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/

not subject to the control of the will

From this reading “Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.”

purely adverb US /ˈpjʊrli/

restricted to something

From this reading “Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.”

shrink verb US /ʃrɪŋk/

wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading “We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.”

toss verb US /tɔːs/

throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading “We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.”

All words in this reading · 61

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 When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

actionnounUS /ˈækʃən/

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.

analyseverb

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

analysisnounUS /əˈnæləsəs/

an investigation of the component parts of a whole and their relations in making up the whole

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

bedsnounUS /bedz/

plural of “bed” — a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

brainsnounUS /breɪnz/

plural of “brain” — that part of the central nervous system that includes all the higher nervous centers; enclosed within the skull; continuous with the spinal cord

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

cannot

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

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

comesnounUS /kʌmz/

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

cringeverbUS /krɪndʒ/

draw back, as with fear or pain

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

feelingnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋ/

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

feelingsnounUS /ˈfiːlɪŋz/

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

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

FOESnounUS /foʊz/

plural of “foe” — an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/

the -ing form of “have”

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

helpverbUS /help/

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

imaginaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈmædʒəneri/

not based on fact; existing only in the imagination

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/

not subject to the control of the will

From this reading Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

livingnounUS /ˈlɪvɪŋ/

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

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/

in addition to what has just been said

From this reading Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.

movingadjectiveUS /ˈmuːvɪŋ/

in motion

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

murderverbUS /ˈmɜːrdər/

kill intentionally and with premeditation

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

offadverbUS /ɔːf/

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

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/

and nothing more

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/

restricted to something

From this reading Moreover, the action is purely involuntary.

realadjectiveUS /riːl/

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

shrinkverbUS /ʃrɪŋk/

wither, as with a loss of moisture

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

strangeadjectiveUS /streɪndʒ/

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

thereadverbUS /ðer/

in or at that place or location

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading We feel strange things--such things as murder--and we cannot help feeling it.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/

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

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

tossverbUS /tɔːs/

throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

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

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading When the real thing comes--the thing that only does come to a few of us--we can only feel it, and there is no thought of analysis.

wakeverbUS /weɪk/

be awake, be alert, be there

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading FOES It is only when our feelings are imaginary that we analyse them.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading We may cringe and shrink; we may toss in our beds when we wake up with such thoughts living, moving, having their being in our brains--but we cannot toss them off.

Chapter 16 of The Slave of the Lamp by Henry Seton Merriman holds 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 16 of The Slave of the Lamp contain?

Chapter 16 holds 169 sentences of The Slave of the Lamp, unabridged, divided into 34 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 16 of The Slave of the Lamp by Henry Seton Merriman exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 169 sentences, grouped into 34 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 16 of The Slave of the Lamp?

Work through the 34 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 34 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 16 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 16 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 Slave of the Lamp

Common questions about reading The Slave of the Lamp by Henry Seton Merriman on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Slave of the Lamp?

Yes. All 0 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #? are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Slave of the Lamp is used?

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

How long does The Slave of the Lamp take to read?

About 5 minutes of reading across 0 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Slave of the Lamp section by section

How to work through The Slave of the Lamp section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

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  2. Read one section

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  3. Listen and tap

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Vocabulary met early in The Slave of the Lamp

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Slave of the Lamp, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The Slave of the Lamp, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The Slave of the Lamp, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The Slave of the Lamp, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.