Learn English through classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Well at the World's End: A Tale
The Well at the World's End: A Tale

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Well at the World's End: A Tale is here in full — 222 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Well at the World's End: A Tale
Context Illustration Reading 1/44 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.
Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.
The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.
He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.
By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Well at the World's End: A Tale

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of The Well at the World's End: A Tale is here in full — 222 sentences across 45 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/44 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.
Line 2
Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.
Line 3
The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.
Line 4
He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.
Line 5
By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

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.

Open verb US /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading “By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.”

All words in this reading · 130

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.

A

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

about

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

alighted

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

all

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

and

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

as

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

at

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

awoke

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

be

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

best

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

but

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

By

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

came

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

cast

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

clear

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

cloak

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

come

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

comer

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

copse

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

crossing

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

dawn

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

deemed

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

down

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

edge

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

even

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

fall

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

feet

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

few

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

first

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

foot

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

for

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

forward

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

fresh

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

from

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

glimmer

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

goeth

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

ground

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

grown

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

had

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

hard

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

having

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

he

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

head

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

heard

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

hearkened

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

hears

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

him

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

his

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

hood

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

horse-hoofs

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

horseback

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

if

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

in

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

into

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

it

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

just

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

left

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

let

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

lighter

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

lightly

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

looked

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

looking

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

low

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

made

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

man

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

meet

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

Meeting

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

morning

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

mount

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

much

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

muffled

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

new

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

Now

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

of

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

off

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

on

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

over

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

Parting

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

peered

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

Perilous

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

pondering

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

presently

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

put

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

Ralph

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

rider

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

riseth

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

road

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

roads

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

round

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

saddle

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

sat

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

saw

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

see

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

seemed

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

shoulder

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

since

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

sky

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

so

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

something

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

somewhat

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

sound

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

stature

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

stepped

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

steps

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

stirrup

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

sward

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

take

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

that

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

the

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

then

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

thence

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

this

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

time

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

to

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

up

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

very

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

wakeful

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

wariness

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

was

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

way

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

were

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

When

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

which

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

From this reading He peered all round about him as if to see if the way were clear, and then alighted down from horseback and let the hood fall off his head, and seemed pondering which way were the best to take.

who

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

From this reading Now he hears the sound of horse-hoofs on the hard road, and riseth to his feet and goeth to the very edge of the copse; looking thence he saw a rider who was just come to the very crossing of the roads.

wide

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

From this reading The new comer was much muffled in a wide cloak, but he seemed to be a man low of stature.

woke

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

woman

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

Wood

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

From this reading A Meeting and a Parting in the Wood Perilous When the first glimmer of dawn was in the sky he awoke in the fresh morning, and sat up and hearkened, for even as he woke he had heard something, since wariness had made him wakeful.

yet

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

From this reading By this time it was grown somewhat lighter and Ralph, looking hard, deemed that the rider was a woman; so he stepped forward lightly, and as he came on to the open sward about the way, the new comer saw him and put a foot into the stirrup to mount, but yet looked at him over the shoulder, and then presently left the saddle and came forward a few steps as if to meet Ralph, having cast the cloak to the ground.

Chapter 4 of The Well at the World's End: A Tale by William Morris holds 222 sentences, grouped into 45 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, 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 4 of The Well at the World's End: A Tale contain?

Chapter 4 holds 222 sentences of The Well at the World's End: A Tale, unabridged, divided into 45 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of The Well at the World's End: A Tale by William Morris exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 222 sentences, grouped into 45 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 4 of The Well at the World's End: A Tale?

Work through the 45 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 45 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 4 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 4 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 Well at the World's End: A Tale

Common questions about reading The Well at the World's End: A Tale by William Morris on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Well at the World's End: A Tale?

Yes. All 6743 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #169 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Well at the World's End: A Tale is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #169, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Well at the World's End: A Tale take to read?

About 561 minutes of reading across 1349 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Well at the World's End: A Tale section by section

How to work through The Well at the World's End: A Tale section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 40 chapters of The Well at the World's End: A Tale 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 Well at the World's End: A Tale

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Well at the World's End: A Tale, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Little
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Well at the World's End: A Tale; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Ruled
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Well at the World's End: A Tale; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Regulus
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Well at the World's End: A Tale; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Kinglet
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Well at the World's End: A Tale; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.