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The Sylph, Volume I and II
The Sylph, Volume I and II

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The Sylph, Volume I and II is here in full — 34 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Sylph, Volume I and II
Context Illustration Reading 1/6 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
To the SYLPH.
Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.
You say you have seen its struggles.
Oh! that you alone have seen them!
Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Sylph, Volume I and II

Chapter XX

Chapter 20 of The Sylph, Volume I and II is here in full — 34 sentences across 7 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/6 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
To the SYLPH.
/tuː ðə sɪlf/
Line 2
Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.
Line 3
You say you have seen its struggles.
/juː seɪ juː hæv siːn ɪts ˈstrʌɡəlz/
Line 4
Oh! that you alone have seen them!
/oʊ ðæt juː əˈloʊn hæv siːn ðem/
Line 5
Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.
/kʊd aɪ biː əˈʃʊrd ðæt wʌn ˈʌðər ɪz jet ə ˈstreɪndʒər tuː ðoʊz ˈstrʌɡəlz aɪ ʃʊd fiːl noʊ mɔːr hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪd ðoʊ ðæt wɜːrd ɪz nɑːt səˈfɪʃəntli strɔːŋ tuː ɪkˈspres maɪ ˈmiːnɪŋ ðæn aɪ duː ɪn maɪ kənˈfeʃənz tuː ˈhevən bɪˈkɔːz aɪ æm tɔːt tuː bɪˈliːv ðæt ˈaʊər θɔːts ɑːr ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri ənd ðæt wiː ɑːr nɑːt ˈænsərəbəl fɔːr ðem ənˈles ðeɪ tend tuː ɪkˈsaɪt ʌs tuː ˈiːvəl ˈækʃənz/

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.

answerable adjective US /ˈænsərəbəl/

capable of being answered

From this reading “Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.”

confessions noun US /kənˈfeʃənz/

plural of “confession” — an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading “Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.”

excite verb US /ɪkˈsaɪt/

arouse or elicit a feeling

From this reading “Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.”

humiliated adjective US /hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪd/

subdued or brought low in condition or status

From this reading “Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.”

involuntary adjective US /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/

not subject to the control of the will

From this reading “Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.”

struggles noun US /ˈstrʌɡəlz/

plural of “struggle” — an energetic attempt to achieve something

From this reading “You say you have seen its struggles.”

sylph noun US /sɪlf/

a slender graceful young woman

From this reading “To the SYLPH.”

tend verb US /tend/

have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading “Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.”

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.

sufficiently strong adverb + adjective

In this reading “Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.”

All words in this reading · 76

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 Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

actionsnounUS /ˈækʃənz/

plural of “action” — something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

aloneadjectiveUS /əˈloʊn/

Having no one else present.

From this reading Oh! that you alone have seen them!

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

answerableadjectiveUS /ˈænsərəbəl/

capable of being answered

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

assuredadjectiveUS /əˈʃʊrd/

marked by assurance; exhibiting confidence

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

believeverbUS /bɪˈliːv/

accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

commendations

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

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

confessionsnounUS /kənˈfeʃənz/

plural of “confession” — an admission of misdeeds or faults

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

Couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

encouragedadjectiveUS /enˈkɜːrɪdʒd/

inspired with confidence

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

evilnounUS /ˈiːvəl/

morally objectionable behavior

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

exciteverbUS /ɪkˈsaɪt/

arouse or elicit a feeling

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/

give expression to

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

feelverbUS /fiːl/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading You say you have seen its struggles.

HeavennounUS /ˈhevən/

any place of complete bliss and delight and peace

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

humiliatedadjectiveUS /hjuːˈmɪlieɪtɪd/

subdued or brought low in condition or status

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

involuntaryadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɑːlənteri/

not subject to the control of the will

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading You say you have seen its struggles.

mepronounUS /miː/

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

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

meaningnounUS /ˈmiːnɪŋ/

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

mostadverbUS /moʊst/

used to form the superlative

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

OhnounUS /oʊ/

a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region

From this reading Oh! that you alone have seen them!

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

retiredadjectiveUS /rɪˈtaɪrd/

no longer active in your work or profession

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading You say you have seen its struggles.

secretsnounUS /ˈsiːkrəts/

plural of “secret” — something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

seenverbUS /siːn/

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading You say you have seen its struggles.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

soulnounUS /soʊl/

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

strangernounUS /ˈstreɪndʒər/

anyone who does not belong in the environment in which they are found

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

strugglesnounUS /ˈstrʌɡəlz/

plural of “struggle” — an energetic attempt to achieve something

From this reading You say you have seen its struggles.

sufficientlyadverbUS /səˈfɪʃəntli/

to a sufficient degree

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

SYLPHnounUS /sɪlf/

a slender graceful young woman

From this reading To the SYLPH.

taughtverbUS /tɔːt/

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

tellverbUS /tel/

express in words

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

tendverbUS /tend/

have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Oh! that you alone have seen them!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading To the SYLPH.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Oh! that you alone have seen them!

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

thoughtsnounUS /θɔːts/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

ToparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading To the SYLPH.

trembleverbUS /ˈtrembəl/

move or jerk quickly and involuntarily up and down or sideways

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

viewnounUS /vjuː/

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

wordnounUS /wɜːrd/

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Could I be assured, that one _other_ is yet a stranger to those struggles, I should feel no more humiliated (though that word is not sufficiently strong to express my meaning), than I do in my confessions to Heaven; because I am taught to believe, that our thoughts are involuntary, and that we are not answerable for them, unless they tend to excite us to evil actions.

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Though encouraged by the commendations of my Sylph, I tremble when you tell me the most retired secrets of my soul are open to your view.

Chapter 20 of The Sylph, Volume I and II by Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire Cavendish holds 34 sentences, grouped into 7 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 20 of The Sylph, Volume I and II contain?

Chapter 20 holds 34 sentences of The Sylph, Volume I and II, unabridged, divided into 7 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 20 of The Sylph, Volume I and II by Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire Cavendish exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 34 sentences, grouped into 7 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 20 of The Sylph, Volume I and II?

Work through the 7 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 7 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 20 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 20 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 Sylph, Volume I and II

Common questions about reading The Sylph, Volume I and II by Georgiana Spencer, Duchess of Devonshire Cavendish on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Sylph, Volume I and II?

Yes. All 3577 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #38525 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Sylph, Volume I and II is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #38525, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Sylph, Volume I and II take to read?

About 298 minutes of reading across 716 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Sylph, Volume I and II section by section

How to work through The Sylph, Volume I and II section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Sylph, Volume I and II 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 Sylph, Volume I and II

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Sylph, Volume I and II, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Sylphs
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sylph, Volume I and II; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Sylphids
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sylph, Volume I and II; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Chief
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sylph, Volume I and II; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Fairies
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Sylph, Volume I and II; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.