Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

the act of waking

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

the time when something begins (especially life)

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

the capacity to understand a broad range of topics

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

a young person of either sex

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

plural of “craftsman” — a professional whose work is consistently of high quality

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

possessive form of “dawn” — the first light of day

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

wanted intensely

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

(folklore) fairies that are somewhat mischievous

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

United States historian noted for studies of Black American history (born in 1915)

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

an encircling or ringlike structure

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

coins made of gold

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

not accessible to view

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

a person who works only for money

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

plural of “home” — where you live at a particular time

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

plural of “land” — the land on which real estate is located

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

the linear extent in space from one end to the other; the longest dimension of something that is fixed in place

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

past form of “live” — be an inhabitant of or reside in

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

the force of workers available

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

full of or showing high-spirited merriment

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

not any; not one

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

not one, and not any

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

the middle of the day

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

throughout a period of time

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

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

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

the state prevailing during the absence of war

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

affording an abundant supply

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

a container used for carrying money and small personal items or accessories (especially by women)

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading REGIN.

gymnastic apparatus consisting of a pair of heavy metal circles (usually covered with leather) suspended by ropes; used for gymnastic exercises

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

past form of “sail” — traverse or travel on (a body of water)

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

(Norse mythology) mythical Norse warrior hero who gains an accursed hoard of gold and was killed by Brynhild; Siegfried is the German counterpart

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading So hidden was that country, and few men sailed its sea, And none came o'er its mountains of men-folk's company.

a male human offspring

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

that is looked for

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

plural of “stem” — (linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

in or at that place or location

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

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

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

a special situation

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

work hard

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

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

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

lacking protection or a guard

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

past form of “ward” — watch over or shield from danger or harm; protect

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

plural of “watcher” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.

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

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

at the time that

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

in the company of; together with

From this reading _Of the birth of Sigurd the son of Sigmund._ Peace lay on the land of the Helper and the house of Elf his son; There merry men went bedward when their tide of toil was done, And glad was the dawn's awakening, and the noontide fair and glad: There no great store had the franklin, and enough the hireling had; And a child might go unguarded the length and breadth of the land With a purse of gold at his girdle and gold rings on his hand.

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading 'Twas a country of cunning craftsmen, and many a thing they wrought, That the lands of storm desired, and the homes of warfare sought.

but in spite of that

From this reading But men deemed it o'er-well warded by more than its stems of fight, And told how its earth-born watchers yet lived of plenteous might.