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Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis

Chapter III

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Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
“And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.
“Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.
756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?
760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.
“So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Venus and Adonis

Chapter III

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
“And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.
Line 2
“Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.
Line 3
756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?
Line 4
760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.
Line 5
“So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

Learner Dictionary

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

Art auxiliary verb US /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading ““So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.”

Body noun US /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?”

Despite preposition US /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading ““Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.”

Fair noun US /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading ““So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?”

Oil noun US /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading ““Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.”

Sudden noun US /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.”

Thee pronoun US /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading “760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.”

Theirs pronoun US /ðerz/

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading ““So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading ““So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading ““Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

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

From this reading ““And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.”

Thou pronoun US /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading “756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?”

Thy determiner US /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading “756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading ““And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.”

Whose determiner US /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading ““So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

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

From this reading ““Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.”

All words in this reading · 131

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

748

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

752

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

756

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

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

760

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

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

764

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

all

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/

an old form of “are”, used with “thou”

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

away

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

barren

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

Beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

beauty

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

bodynounUS /body/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

BothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

breed

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

brings

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

burns

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

bury

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

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

butcher

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

chastity

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

civil

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

dark

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

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

daughters

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

dearth

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

desperate

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

despiteprepositionUS /dɪˈspaɪt/

although something is true; in spite of

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

destroy

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

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

disdain

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

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

Dries

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

earth

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

fairnounUS /fair/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

favour

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

fight

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

fruitless

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

gazer

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

grave

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

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

hold

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

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

home-bred

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

hope

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

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

hue

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

lamp

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

late

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

lend

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

light

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

Love-lacking

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

made

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

maladies

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

melts

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

midday

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From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

minute's

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From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

mischief

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From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

mountain

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From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

needs

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From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

night

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From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

nuns

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From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

obscurity

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From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

oilnounUS /ɔɪl/

A viscous liquid derived from petroleum or plants, stored in large earthen jars.

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

OrconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

posterity

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From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

pride

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From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

prodigal

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From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

qualities

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From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

reeves

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From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

rights

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From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

savour

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

scarcity

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

Seeming

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From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

self-loving

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

sire

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

Sith

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From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

slain

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From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

slay

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From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

snow

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

son

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

sons

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

strife

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

suddennounUS /sudden/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

sun

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

swallowing

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

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

th'impartial

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

thaw'd

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

theepronounUS /ðiː/

an old word for “you”, as the object, speaking to one person

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

theirspronounUS /ðerz/

the one or ones belonging to them

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

thoupronounUS /ðaʊ/

an old word for “you”, as the subject, speaking to one person

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

thydeterminerUS /ðaɪ/

an old word for “your”, speaking to one person

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

thyself

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

up

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

vestals

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

wasted

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

WhatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

Whereat

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading 756 “What is thy body but a swallowing grave, Seeming to bury that posterity, Which by the rights of time thou needs must have, If thou destroy them not in dark obscurity?

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading 760 If so, the world will hold thee in disdain, Sith in thy pride so fair a hope is slain.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

wonder

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

From this reading “And not the least of all these maladies But in one minute’s fight brings beauty under: Both favour, savour, hue and qualities, Whereat th’impartial gazer late did wonder, 748 Are on the sudden wasted, thaw’d and done, As mountain snow melts with the midday sun.

world

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.

worse

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

From this reading “So in thyself thyself art made away; A mischief worse than civil home-bred strife, 764 Or theirs whose desperate hands themselves do slay, Or butcher sire that reeves his son of life.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

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

From this reading “Therefore despite of fruitless chastity, Love-lacking vestals and self-loving nuns, 752 That on the earth would breed a scarcity And barren dearth of daughters and of sons, Be prodigal: the lamp that burns by night Dries up his oil to lend the world his light.