Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III
The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III
Context Illustration Reading 1/32 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
What a varying thing is the stream of life!
How it sparkles and glitters!
Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.
Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.
Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.
0:00 / 0:00
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.

The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III

Chapter XV

Chapter 15 of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III is here in full — 160 sentences across 32 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/32 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
What a varying thing is the stream of life!
/wʌt ə ˈveriɪŋ θɪŋ ɪz ðə striːm ʌv laɪf/
Line 2
How it sparkles and glitters!
Line 3
Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.
Line 4
Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.
Line 5
Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.
/ɪts vɔɪs tuː ˈveriz æz ɪt ɡoʊz naʊ ɪt sɪŋz ˈlaɪtli æz ɪt ˈdænsəz ɑːn naʊ ɪt rɔːrz əˈmɪdst ðə ˈɑːbstəkəlz ðæt əˈpoʊz ɪts weɪ ənd naʊ ɪt hæz noʊ toʊn bʌt ðə dʌl loʊ ˈmɜːrmər ʌv ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd ˈenərdʒi/

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.

fume verb US /fjuːm/

be mad, angry, or furious

From this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

glitters noun US /ˈɡlɪtərz/

plural of “glitter” — the quality of shining with a bright reflected light

From this reading “How it sparkles and glitters!”

plunges noun US /ˈplʌndʒɪz/

plural of “plunge” — a brief swim in water

From this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

pollution noun US /pəˈluːʃən/

undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities

From this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

sparkles noun US /ˈspɑːrkəlz/

plural of “sparkle” — merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance

From this reading “How it sparkles and glitters!”

tends verb US /tendz/

third-person singular of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

turbid adjective US /ˈtɜːrbɪd/

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

varies verb US /ˈveriz/

third-person singular of “vary” — become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence

From this reading “Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.”

Word partnerships in these lines

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

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

low murmur adjective + noun

In this reading “Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.”

tends towards verb + particle counted as “tend towards”

In this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

towards the end preposition + article + noun counted as “towards … end”

In this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

all things adjective + noun

In this reading “Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.”

over the rock preposition + article + noun counted as “over … rock”

In this reading “Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.”

All words in this reading · 96

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 What a varying thing is the stream of life!

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading How it sparkles and glitters!

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

bednounUS /bed/

a piece of furniture that provides a place to sleep

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

boundsnounUS /baʊndz/

the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

brightnessnounUS /ˈbraɪtnəs/

the location of a visual perception along a continuum from black to white

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

bringingnounUS /ˈbrɪŋɪŋ/

the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail)

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

dancesnounUS /ˈdænsəz/

plural of “dance” — an artistic form of nonverbal communication

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

derivedadjectiveUS /dərˈaɪvd/

formed or developed from something else; not original

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

diamondnounUS /ˈdaɪmənd/

a transparent piece of diamond that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

dulladjectiveUS /dʌl/

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

dulness

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

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

energynounUS /ˈenərdʒi/

(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

essencenounUS /ˈesəns/

the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

everadverbUS /ˈevər/

at any time

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

exhaustedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

flowingnounUS /ˈfloʊɪŋ/

the motion characteristic of fluids (liquids or gases)

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

fumeverbUS /fjuːm/

be mad, angry, or furious

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

furynounUS /ˈfjʊri/

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

glittersnounUS /ˈɡlɪtərz/

plural of “glitter” — the quality of shining with a bright reflected light

From this reading How it sparkles and glitters!

goesnounUS /ɡoʊz/

plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

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

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

heavyadjectiveUS /ˈhevi/

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

How

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

From this reading How it sparkles and glitters!

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

innocencenounUS /ˈɪnəsəns/

the quality of innocent naivete

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading How it sparkles and glitters!

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/

used when the thing doing the action is also its object

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

Lethenoun

(Greek mythology) a river in Hades; the souls of the dead had to drink from it, which made them forget all they had done and suffered when they were alive

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

lifenounUS /laɪf/

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

lightlyadverbUS /ˈlaɪtli/

without good reason

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

likeverbUS /laɪk/

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

limpidadjective

clear and bright

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

liquidadjectiveUS /ˈlɪkwəd/

existing as or having characteristics of a liquid; especially tending to flow

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

meadownounUS /ˈmedoʊ/

a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

merrimentnoun

a gay feeling

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

murmurnounUS /ˈmɜːrmər/

a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

NowadverbUS /naʊ/

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

obstaclesnounUS /ˈɑːbstəkəlz/

plural of “obstacle” — something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

opposeverbUS /əˈpoʊz/

be against; express opposition to

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

pebblyadjective

abounding in small stones

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

plungesnounUS /ˈplʌndʒɪz/

plural of “plunge” — a brief swim in water

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

pollutionnounUS /pəˈluːʃən/

undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful substances as a consequence of human activities

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

roarsnounUS /rɔːrz/

plural of “roar” — a deep prolonged loud noise

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

rocknounUS /rɑːk/

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

roundnounUS /raʊnd/

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

runsnounUS /rʌnz/

plural of “run” — a score in baseball made by a runner touching all four bases safely

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

shadenounUS /ʃeɪd/

relative darkness caused by light rays being intercepted by an opaque body

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

singsverbUS /sɪŋz/

third-person singular of “sing” — deliver by singing

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

solemnlyadverbUS /ˈsɔːləmli/

in a grave and sedate manner

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

sometimesadverbUS /səmˈtaɪmz/

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

sparklesnounUS /ˈspɑːrkəlz/

plural of “sparkle” — merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance

From this reading How it sparkles and glitters!

sportingadjectiveUS /ˈspɔːrtɪŋ/

exhibiting or calling for sportsmanship or fair play

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

storenounUS /stɔːr/

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

streamnounUS /striːm/

a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

streamsnounUS /striːmz/

plural of “stream” — a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

sunshinenounUS /ˈsʌnʃaɪn/

the rays of the sun

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

tendsverbUS /tendz/

third-person singular of “tend” — have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

thingnounUS /θɪŋ/

a special situation

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

thoughtnounUS /θɔːt/

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

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

tonenounUS /toʊn/

the quality of a person's voice

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

tooadverbUS /tuː/

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

turbidadjectiveUS /ˈtɜːrbɪd/

(of liquids) clouded as with sediment

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

variesverbUS /ˈveriz/

third-person singular of “vary” — become different in some particular way, without permanently losing one's or its former characteristics or essence

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

varyingadjectiveUS /ˈveriɪŋ/

marked by diversity or difference

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

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

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Its voice, too, varies as it goes; now it sings lightly as it dances on; now it roars amidst the obstacles that oppose its way; and now it has no tone but the dull low murmur of exhausted energy.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Now it bounds along its pebbly bed, sometimes in sunshine, and sometimes in shade; sometimes sporting round all things, as if its essence were merriment and brightness; sometimes flowing solemnly on, as if it were derived from Lethe itself.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading What a varying thing is the stream of life!

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

youthnounUS /juːθ/

a young person (especially a young man or boy)

From this reading Now it runs like a liquid diamond along the meadow; now it plunges in fume and fury over the rock; now it is clear and limpid, as youth and innocence can make it; now it is heavy and turbid, with the varying streams of thought and memory that are ever flowing into it, each bringing its store of dulness and pollution as it tends towards the end.

Chapter 15 of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James holds 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 15 of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III contain?

Chapter 15 holds 160 sentences of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III, unabridged, divided into 32 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 15 of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 160 sentences, grouped into 32 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 15 of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III?

Work through the 32 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 32 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 15 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 15 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 Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III

Common questions about reading The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III?

Yes. All 6275 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #39531 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #39531, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III take to read?

About 522 minutes of reading across 1255 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III section by section

How to work through The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 39 chapters of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III 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 Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Source
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Books
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Google
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Qdaaaaqaaj
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Smuggler: A Tale. Volumes I-III; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.