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Mother Goose for Grown-Ups
Mother Goose for Grown-Ups

Chapter I

Cover illustration for Mother Goose for Grown-Ups
Context Illustration Reading 1/61 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.
How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!
If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!
NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.
G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.
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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.

Mother Goose for Grown-Ups

Chapter I

Reading 1/61 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.
Line 2
How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!
Line 3
If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!
Line 4
NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.
Line 5
G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!”

Alas exclamation US /əˈlæs/

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading “How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!”

Behind preposition US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading “G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!”

Maiden noun, literary US /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading “G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.”

Memory noun US /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading “Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading “How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!”

Tongue noun US /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.”

All words in this reading · 125

Every word is available to listen to. 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 G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

acknowledging

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

AlasexclamationUS /əˈlæs/

used to show sadness, pity, or regret

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

AndeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

any

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

ax

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

backs

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

banter

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

bit

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

bright

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

C

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

charm

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

Cheered

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

courteous

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

critic

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

days

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

Dear

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

denoted

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

discovered

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

editors

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

Evening

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

few

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

flung

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

Folks

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

following

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

form

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

fresh

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

G

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

generous

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

Harper's

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

hours

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

How

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

instant

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

Italic

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

Jack

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

Jack's

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

knew

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

leagues

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

like

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

limping

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

link

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

London

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

loved

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

Magazine

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

maidennoun, literaryUS /ˈmeɪdən/

a young woman who is not married

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

memorynounUS /ˈmem.ər.i/

The faculty by which the mind stores and remembers information and knowledge.

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

noble

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

NOTE

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

olden

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

once

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

originally

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

other

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

pen

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

permission

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

pleasure

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

Post

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

praise

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

published

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

reprint

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

rhymes

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

Saturday

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

seas

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

serve

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

Shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

sharp

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

showers

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From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

Sketch

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From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

some

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

soon

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From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

spell

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From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

suns

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From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

sweet

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From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

talk

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

text

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From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

then

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

tonguenounUS /tongue/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

trivial

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

twain

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

underscores

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From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

vain

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

verses

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

W

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

Wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

well

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading NOTE I have pleasure in acknowledging the courteous permission of the editors to reprint in this form such of the following verses as were originally published in _Harper's Magazine_, the _Saturday Evening Post_, and the _London Sketch_.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

whispered

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

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.

worked

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

From this reading If but, long leagues across the seas, The trivial charm of rhymes like these Shall serve to link us twain An instant in the olden spell That once we knew and loved so well, I have not worked in vain!

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

young

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

From this reading G. W. C. A noble and a generous mind Was Jack's; Folks knew he would not talk behind Their backs: But when some maiden fresh and young, At Jack a bit of banter flung, She soon discovered that his tongue Was sharp as any ax.

younger

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

From this reading How short, how sweet those younger hours, How bright our suns, how few our showers, Alas, we knew not then!

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ In memory of other days, Dear critic, when your whispered praise Cheered on the limping pen.