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The story of Burnt Njal
The story of Burnt Njal

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The story of Burnt Njal is here in full — 26 sentences across 6 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The story of Burnt Njal
Context Illustration Reading 1/5 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THORWALD'S SLAYING.
Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.
Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"
"Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.
Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."
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 story of Burnt Njal

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of The story of Burnt Njal is here in full — 26 sentences across 6 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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

Line 1
THORWALD'S SLAYING.
Line 2
Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.
Line 3
Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"
Line 4
"Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.
/wel sed hiː ʃiː ʃoʊd ɔːl ˈkaɪndnəs tuː miː/
Line 5
Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

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.

bridal adjective US /ˈbraɪdəl/

of or relating to a wedding

From this reading “Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.”

feast noun US /fiːst/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading “Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.”

horse's noun US /ˈhɔːrsəz/

possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading “Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.”

kindness noun US /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading “"Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.”

laughs noun US /læfs/

plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing

From this reading “Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."”

match verb US /mætʃ/

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading “Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"”

rode verb US /roʊd/

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading “Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.”

slaying noun US /ˈsleɪɪŋ/

unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

From this reading “THORWALD'S SLAYING.”

All words in this reading · 59

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 Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

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 "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

Artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

bridaladjectiveUS /ˈbraɪdəl/

of or relating to a wedding

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

feastnounUS /fiːst/

a ceremonial dinner party for many people

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

homenounUS /hoʊm/

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

horse'snounUS /ˈhɔːrsəz/

possessive form of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

how

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

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

kindnessnounUS /ˈkaɪndnəs/

the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic

From this reading "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.

laughsnounUS /læfs/

plural of “laugh” — the sound of laughing

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

matchverbUS /mætʃ/

be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.

mightst

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

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

Oswif

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

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

pleasedadjectiveUS /pliːzd/

experiencing or manifesting pleasure

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

rodeverbUS /roʊd/

inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

saidadjectiveUS /sed/

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

seeverbUS /siː/

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.

showedverbUS /ʃoʊd/

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.

sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

SLAYINGnounUS /ˈsleɪɪŋ/

unlawful premeditated killing of a human being by a human being

From this reading THORWALD'S SLAYING.

sonnounUS /sʌn/

a male human offspring

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/

not in physical motion

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

talkedverbUS /tɔːkt/

past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

Thiostolf

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

Thorwald

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

THORWALD'S

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

From this reading THORWALD'S SLAYING.

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

turnedadjectiveUS /tɜːrnd/

moved around an axis or center

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

voicenounUS /vɔɪs/

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

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

waynounUS /weɪ/

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

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 "Well," said he, "she showed all kindness to me.

wentverbUS /went/

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

wifenounUS /waɪf/

a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Thorwald rode home from the bridal feast, and his wife with him, and Thiostolf, who rode by her horse's side, and still talked to her in a low voice.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Thou mightst see that by the way she laughs at every word I say."

yepronounUS /jiː/

an old word for “you”, speaking to more than one person

From this reading Oswif turned to his son and said-- "Art thou pleased with thy match? and how went it when ye talked together?"

Chapter 12 of The story of Burnt Njal by George Webbe, Sir [Translator] Dasent holds 26 sentences, grouped into 6 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 12 of The story of Burnt Njal contain?

Chapter 12 holds 26 sentences of The story of Burnt Njal, unabridged, divided into 6 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of The story of Burnt Njal by George Webbe, Sir [Translator] Dasent exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 26 sentences, grouped into 6 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 12 of The story of Burnt Njal?

Work through the 6 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 6 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 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 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 story of Burnt Njal

Common questions about reading The story of Burnt Njal by George Webbe, Sir [Translator] Dasent on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The story of Burnt Njal?

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

Which edition of The story of Burnt Njal is used?

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

How long does The story of Burnt Njal take to read?

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

How to read The story of Burnt Njal section by section

How to work through The story of Burnt Njal section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal 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 story of Burnt Njal

Words and structures a reader meets early in The story of Burnt Njal, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter 1
One of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 2
One of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.
Chapter 3
One of the 0 chapters of The story of Burnt Njal, divided into 5-sentence reading sections.