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The Water of the Wondrous Isles
The Water of the Wondrous Isles

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Water of the Wondrous Isles is here in full — 10 sentences across 2 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Water of the Wondrous Isles
Context Illustration Reading 1/2 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Chapter III.
They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.
She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.
Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.
Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.
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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 Water of the Wondrous Isles

Chapter I · Chapter 1

Chapter 1 of The Water of the Wondrous Isles is here in full — 10 sentences across 2 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/2 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Chapter III.
Line 2
They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.
Line 3
She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.
Line 4
Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.
Line 5
Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

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.

Crafts noun US /kræfts/

plural of “craft” — the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading “They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.”

hears verb US /hiːrz/

third-person singular of “hear” — perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading “Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.”

Leonard noun US /ˈlenərd/

United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)

From this reading “Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.”

meets noun US /miːts/

plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held

From this reading “They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.”

minded adjective US /ˈmaɪndəd/

(used in combination) mentally oriented toward something specified

From this reading “She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.”

Quest noun US /kwest/

a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria

From this reading “She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.”

thereof adverb US /ˌðeˈrʌv/

of or concerning this or that

From this reading “Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.”

Wasting noun US /ˈweɪstɪŋ/

any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease

From this reading “Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.”

All words in this reading · 50

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 She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

againadverbUS /əˈɡen/

anew

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

Audrey

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

Birdalone

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

BlackadjectiveUS /blæk/

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

BoatnounUS /boʊt/

a small vessel for travel on water

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

CastlenounUS /ˈkæsəl/

a large and stately mansion

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

ChapternounUS /ˈtʃæptər/

a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled

From this reading Chapter III.

CitynounUS /ˈsɪti/

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

comeverbUS /kʌm/

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

cometh

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

From this reading Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.

CraftsnounUS /kræfts/

plural of “craft” — the skilled practice of a practical occupation

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

deathnounUS /deθ/

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

departverbUS /dɪˈpɑːrt/

move away from a place into another direction

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

departeth

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

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

DreamnounUS /driːm/

A series of thoughts, images, or emotions during sleep.

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

FivenounUS /faɪv/

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

Greenford

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

From this reading Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.

heareth

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

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

hearsverbUS /hiːrz/

third-person singular of “hear” — perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.

IIInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Chapter III.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

IXnoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

LeonardnounUS /ˈlenərd/

United States writer of thrillers (born in 1925)

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

meetsnounUS /miːts/

plural of “meet” — a meeting at which a number of athletic contests are held

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

mindedadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪndəd/

(used in combination) mentally oriented toward something specified

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

MothernounUS /ˈmʌðər/

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

Poor-wife

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

QuestnounUS /kwest/

a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

seekverbUS /siːk/

try to get or reach

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

SendingnounUS /ˈsendɪŋ/

the act of causing something to go (especially messages)

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

SquirenounUS /skwaɪr/

young nobleman attendant on a knight

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

TalenounUS /teɪl/

a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

thenceadverbUS /ðens/

from that place or that time

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

thereofadverbUS /ˌðeˈrʌv/

of or concerning this or that

From this reading Birdalone cometh to the Castle of the Quest, heareth the Tale thereof from Leonard, and departeth thence by the Sending Boat Chapter IX.

TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

VnounUS /viː/

a unit of potential equal to the potential difference between two points on a conductor carrying a current of 1 ampere when the power dissipated between the two points is 1 watt

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

VIInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

VIIInoun

the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one

From this reading Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.

warnedverbUS /wɔːrnd/

past form of “warn” — notify of danger, potential harm, or risk

From this reading She is warned in a Dream to seek the Black Squire, and is minded to depart the City of the Five Crafts, and seek again the Castle of the Quest Chapter VII.

WastingnounUS /ˈweɪstɪŋ/

any general reduction in vitality and strength of body and mind resulting from a debilitating chronic disease

From this reading Birdalone cometh to Greenford, and hears of the Wasting of the Castle of the Quest Chapter VIII.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading They come to the City of the Five Crafts, and Birdalone meets with the Poor-wife Chapter V. Of the death of Audrey, Mother to Birdalone.

Chapter 1 of The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris holds 10 sentences, grouped into 2 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 1 of The Water of the Wondrous Isles contain?

Chapter 1 holds 10 sentences of The Water of the Wondrous Isles, unabridged, divided into 2 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 10 sentences, grouped into 2 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 1 of The Water of the Wondrous Isles?

Work through the 2 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 2 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 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 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 Water of the Wondrous Isles

Common questions about reading The Water of the Wondrous Isles by William Morris on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Water of the Wondrous Isles?

Yes. All 4187 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #8778 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Water of the Wondrous Isles is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #8778, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Water of the Wondrous Isles take to read?

About 348 minutes of reading across 838 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Water of the Wondrous Isles section by section

How to work through The Water of the Wondrous Isles section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 35 chapters of The Water of the Wondrous Isles 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 Water of the Wondrous Isles

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Water of the Wondrous Isles, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Chapter
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Water of the Wondrous Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Crafts
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Water of the Wondrous Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Birdalone
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Water of the Wondrous Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Meets
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Water of the Wondrous Isles; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.