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Verses 1889-1896
Verses 1889-1896

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Verses 1889-1896 is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Verses 1889-1896
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier .
When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Verses 1889-1896

Chapter IV · Chapter 4

Chapter 4 of Verses 1889-1896 is here in full — 185 sentences across 37 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.
Line 2
Fight, fight, fight for the soldier .
Line 3
Line 4
Line 5
When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

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.

Mind noun US /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading “When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.”

All words in this reading · 54

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 When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

An

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

are

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

arf

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

as

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

at

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

bitch

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

British

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

bullets

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

bustles

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

call

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

cross-eyed

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

ditch

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

Don't

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

enemy

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

fight

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

fine

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

fly

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

for

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

guns

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

her

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

human

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

in

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

into

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

ladies

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

like

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

limbers

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

line

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

low

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

Martini

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

mindnounUS /maɪnd/

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

never

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

noise

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

o

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

of

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

old

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

shakin

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

she'll

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

She's

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

shine

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

Shoot

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

sich

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

so

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

soldier

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

startles

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

the

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

their

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

treat

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

wheel

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

From this reading When shakin' their bustles like ladies so fine, The guns o' the enemy wheel into line, Shoot low at the limbers an' don't mind the shine, For noise never startles the soldier.

When

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

wide

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

you

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

young

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

your

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

From this reading When 'arf of your bullets fly wide in the ditch, Don't call your Martini a cross-eyed old bitch; She's human as you are -- you treat her as sich, An' she'll fight for the young British soldier.

Chapter 4 of Verses 1889-1896 by Rudyard Kipling holds 185 sentences, grouped into 37 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 Verses 1889-1896 contain?

Chapter 4 holds 185 sentences of Verses 1889-1896, unabridged, divided into 37 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 4 of Verses 1889-1896 by Rudyard Kipling exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 185 sentences, grouped into 37 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 Verses 1889-1896?

Work through the 37 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 37 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 Verses 1889-1896

Common questions about reading Verses 1889-1896 by Rudyard Kipling on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Verses 1889-1896?

Yes. All 2582 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #323 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Verses 1889-1896 is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #323, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Verses 1889-1896 take to read?

About 215 minutes of reading across 517 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Verses 1889-1896 section by section

How to work through Verses 1889-1896 section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of Verses 1889-1896 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 Verses 1889-1896

Words and structures a reader meets early in Verses 1889-1896, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Volume
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Verses 1889-1896; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Wolcott
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Verses 1889-1896; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Balestier
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Verses 1889-1896; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Beyond
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Verses 1889-1896; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.