The(definite article, referring to specific horses [ðə]) two horses(refers to a pair of horses [tu ˈhɔrsɪz]) had just lain down(had recently reclined or rested; 'lain' is the past participle of 'lie' [hæd ʤɪst leɪn daʊn]) when(conjunction, introducing a clause of time [wɪn]) a brood of ducklings(a group of young ducks hatched at the same time [ə brud əv ˈdəklɪŋz]), which(relative pronoun, referring to the brood of ducklings [wɪʧ]) had lost(past perfect tense of 'lose', indicating that the ducklings had previously lost [hæd lɔst]) their mother(possessive pronoun 'their' indicating the mother belonging to the ducklings [ðɛr ˈməðər]), filed into(entered in a line or orderly fashion [faɪld ˈɪntu]) the barn(a farm building used for storing crops or housing animals [ðə bɑrn]), cheeping(making a soft, high-pitched sound, typical of young birds [cheeping]) feebly(weakly; in a faint or ineffective manner [ˈfibli]) and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) wandering(moving aimlessly or without a fixed direction [ˈwɑndərɪŋ]) from side to side(moving laterally, indicating a lack of clear direction [frəm saɪd tɪ saɪd]) to find(in order to locate [tɪ faɪnd]) some place(an unspecified location [səm pleɪs]) where(relative adverb, indicating the location [wɛr]) they(pronoun, referring to the ducklings [ðeɪ]) would not be trodden on(would not be stepped on; passive voice [wʊd nɑt bi ˈtrɑdən ɔn]). Clover(name of a character, likely a horse [ˈkloʊvər]) made(past tense of 'make', indicating an action [meɪd]) a sort of wall(an enclosure resembling a wall, but not necessarily solid [ə sɔrt əv wɔl]) round them(around the ducklings [raʊnd ðɛm]) with her great foreleg(using her large front leg [wɪθ hər greɪt foreleg]), and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) the ducklings(referring to the young ducks [ðə ˈdəklɪŋz]) nestled down(settled comfortably and closely together [ˈnɛsəld daʊn]) inside it(within the enclosure made by Clover's leg [ˌɪnˈsaɪd ɪt]) and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) promptly(quickly; without delay [ˈprɑmptli]) fell asleep(began to sleep [fɛl əsˈlip]). At the last moment(Very late; just before something else happened [æt ðə læst ˈmoʊmənt]) Mollie(name of a character, likely a horse [ˈmɑli]), the foolish, pretty white mare(descriptive phrase identifying Mollie; 'mare' is a female horse [ðə ˈfulɪʃ ˈprɪti waɪt mɛr]) who(relative pronoun, referring to Mollie [hu]) drew(pulled or hauled [dru]) Mr. Jones’s trap(a light, two-wheeled carriage belonging to Mr. Jones [ˈmɪstər ˈʤoʊnzɪz træp]), came mincing daintily in(entered with small, affected steps [keɪm ˈmɪnsɪŋ daintily ɪn]), chewing(grinding food with the teeth [ʧuɪŋ]) at a lump of sugar(a small, solid piece of sugar [æt ə ləmp əv ˈʃʊgər]). She(pronoun, referring to Mollie [ʃi]) took a place(positioned herself [tʊk ə pleɪs]) near the front(close to the front of the barn [nɪr ðə frənt]) and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) began flirting(started behaving in a way to attract attention [bɪˈgæn ˈflərtɪŋ]) her white mane(the long hair growing on the back of her neck [hər waɪt meɪn]), hoping(desiring or wishing [ˈhoʊpɪŋ]) to draw attention(to attract notice [tɪ drɔ əˈtɛnʃən]) to the red ribbons(towards the red decorative bands [tɪ ðə rɛd ˈrɪbənz]) it was plaited with(that were woven into her mane [ɪt wɑz ˈpleɪtəd wɪθ]). Last of all(Finally; at the very end [læst əv ɔl]) came the cat(referring to a feline animal [keɪm ðə kæt]), who(relative pronoun, referring to the cat [hu]) looked round(searched around [lʊkt raʊnd]), as usual(typically; as was her habit [ɛz ˈjuʒəwəl]), for the warmest place(seeking the location with the highest temperature [fər ðə ˈwɔrməst pleɪs]), and(conjunction, connecting two actions [ənd]) finally(eventually; after some time [ˈfaɪnəli]) squeezed herself in(forced herself into a tight space [skwizd hərˈsɛlf ɪn]) between Boxer and Clover(in the space separating Boxer and Clover, who are likely horses [bɪtˈwin ˈbɑksər ənd ˈkloʊvər]); there(in that place [ðɛr]) she(pronoun, referring to the cat [ʃi]) purred contentedly(made a soft, vibrating sound expressing satisfaction [purred kənˈtɛntədli]) throughout Major’s speech(during the entire duration of Major's talk [θruaʊt ˈmeɪʤərz spiʧ]) without listening(without paying attention [wɪˈθaʊt ˈlɪsənɪŋ]) to a word(not even a single word [tɪ ə wərd]) of what he was saying(of the content of his speech [əv wət hi wɑz seɪɪŋ]).
All(refers to the entirety of the animals [ɔl]) the animals(referring to a group of animals [ðə ˈænəməlz]) were(past tense of 'to be', indicating a state of existence in the past [wər]) now(at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]) present(being in a particular place; in attendance [ˈprɛzənt]) except(excluding; not including [ɪkˈsɛpt]) Moses(a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈmoʊzɪs]), the tame raven(a raven that is not wild and is accustomed to being around humans [ðə teɪm ˈreɪvən]), who(relative pronoun referring to Moses [hu]) slept(past tense of 'to sleep', indicating the action of resting [slɛpt]) on a perch(a high seat or resting place [ɔn ə pərʧ]) behind(at the back of [bɪˈhaɪnd]) the back door(the door located at the rear of a building [ðə bæk dɔr]). When(at the time that; as soon as [wɪn]) Major(a proper noun, likely the name of a character [ˈmeɪʤər]) saw(past tense of 'to see', indicating the action of perceiving with the eyes [sɔ]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) they(referring to the animals [ðeɪ]) had all made(past perfect tense of 'to make', indicating a completed action in the past [hæd ɔl meɪd]) themselves(reflexive pronoun referring to 'they' [ðɛmˈsɛlvz]) comfortable(in a state of ease and relaxation [ˈkəmfərtəbəl]) and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) were waiting(past continuous tense of 'to wait', indicating an ongoing action in the past [wər ˈweɪtɪŋ]) attentively(in a careful and focused manner [əˈtɛntɪvli]), he(referring to Major [hi]) cleared his throat(to make a sound in one's throat to get attention or prepare to speak [klɪrd hɪz θroʊt]) and(conjunction connecting two actions [ənd]) began(past tense of 'to begin', indicating the start of an action [bɪˈgæn]):
‘Comrades(a term used to address a group of people, often implying a sense of shared purpose or solidarity [‘‘comrades]), you(referring to the audience being addressed [ju]) have heard(present perfect tense of 'to hear', indicating that the audience has previously been informed [hæv hərd]) already(previously; before now [ɔˈrɛdi]) about(concerning; regarding [əˈbaʊt]) the strange dream(an unusual or peculiar dream [ðə streɪnʤ drim]) that(relative pronoun referring to 'the strange dream' [ðət]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) had(past tense of 'to have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]) last night(the night before the current day [læst naɪt]). But(conjunction introducing a contrasting statement [bət]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) will come(future tense of 'to come', indicating a future action [wɪl kəm]) to the dream(referring to the previously mentioned dream [tɪ ðə drim]) later(at a subsequent time; after something else [ˈleɪtər]). I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) have(present tense of 'to have', indicating possession [hæv]) something else(an additional or different thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ ɛls]) to say(to express verbally [tɪ seɪ]) first(before anything else; initially [fərst]). I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) do not think(expressing a lack of belief or opinion [du nɑt θɪŋk]), comrades(a term used to address a group of people, often implying a sense of shared purpose or solidarity [ˈkɑmˌrædz]), that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) shall be(future tense of 'to be', indicating a future state of existence [ʃæl bi]) with you(in the company of the audience [wɪθ ju]) for many months(for a considerable period of time measured in months [fər ˈmɛni mənθs]) longer(for a more extended duration [ˈlɔŋgər]), and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) before(prior to; in advance of [ˌbiˈfɔr]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) die(to cease living [daɪ]), I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) feel(to experience an emotion or sensation [fil]) it(referring to the following clause [ɪt]) my duty(a moral or legal obligation [maɪ ˈduti]) to pass on(to transmit or convey [tɪ pæs ɔn]) to you(to the audience being addressed [tɪ ju]) such wisdom(a great amount of knowledge and good judgment [səʧ ˈwɪzdəm]) as(to the extent that; in the same way that [ɛz]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) have acquired(present perfect tense of 'to acquire', indicating something gained over time [hæv əkˈwaɪərd]). I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) have had(present perfect tense of 'to have', indicating experience [hæv hæd]) a long life(a life that has lasted for a considerable time [ə lɔŋ laɪf]), I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) have had(present perfect tense of 'to have', indicating experience [hæv hæd]) much time(a considerable amount of time [məʧ taɪm]) for thought(for contemplation and reflection [fər θɔt]) as(while; during the time that [ɛz]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) lay(past tense of 'to lie', indicating a resting position [leɪ]) alone(without company; solitary [əˈloʊn]) in my stall(in the individual enclosure where an animal is kept [ɪn maɪ stɔl]), and(conjunction connecting two clauses [ənd]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) think(to have an opinion or belief [θɪŋk]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) may say(expressing a possibility or permission to say something [meɪ seɪ]) that(introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) understand(to perceive the meaning of; to comprehend [ˌəndərˈstænd]) the nature of life(the fundamental characteristics and qualities of existence [ðə ˈneɪʧər əv laɪf]) on this earth(on the planet Earth [ɔn ðɪs ərθ]) as well as(to the same extent or degree as [ɛz wɛl ɛz]) any animal(any member of the animal kingdom [ˈɛni ˈænəməl]) now living(currently alive [naʊ ˈlɪvɪŋ]). It(referring to the subject of the speech [ɪt]) is(present tense of 'to be', linking the subject and predicate [ɪz]) about this(concerning this topic [əˈbaʊt ðɪs]) that(introduces a relative clause [ðət]) I(referring to the speaker [aɪ]) wish(to desire or want [wɪʃ]) to speak(to express oneself verbally [tɪ spik]) to you(to the audience being addressed [tɪ ju]).
‘Now(an introductory word, indicating the beginning of a statement or a shift in topic [‘‘now]), comrades(a term used to address a group of people, suggesting a sense of shared purpose or solidarity [ˈkɑmˌrædz]), what is(a question phrase used to inquire about the nature or characteristics of something [wət ɪz]) the nature of(the fundamental qualities or characteristics of something [ðə ˈneɪʧər əv]) this life of ours(referring to the collective existence or experience of the speaker and their group [ðɪs laɪf əv ɑrz])? Let us face it(an expression used to urge someone to acknowledge a difficult or unpleasant truth [lɛt ˈjuˈɛs feɪs ɪt]): our lives(referring to the collective existence or experience of the speaker and their group [ɑr lɪvz]) are miserable(describing a state of extreme unhappiness or suffering [ər ˈmɪzərəbəl]), laborious(requiring considerable effort and time; characterized by hard work [ləˈbɔriəs]), and short(limited in duration or length [ənd ʃɔrt]). We are born(the beginning of life; the act of being brought into existence [wi ər bɔrn]), we are given(to receive or be provided with something [wi ər ˈgɪvɪn]) just so much food(only the necessary amount of nourishment [ʤɪst soʊ məʧ fud]) as will keep the breath in our bodies(enough sustenance to sustain life [ɛz wɪl kip ðə brɛθ ɪn ɑr ˈbɑdiz]), and those of us(referring to a subset of the group being addressed [ənd ðoʊz əv ˈjuˈɛs]) who are capable of it(those who possess the ability or capacity to do something [hu ər ˈkeɪpəbəl əv ɪt]) are forced to work(compelled or obliged to perform labor [ər fɔrst tɪ wərk]) to the last atom of our strength(exhausting every bit of energy and power [tɪ ðə læst ˈætəm əv ɑr strɛŋθ]); and the very instant(the precise moment [ənd ðə ˈvɛri ˈɪnstənt]) that our usefulness has come to an end(when our ability to serve a purpose is over [ðət ɑr ˈjusfəlnəs həz kəm tɪ ən ɛnd]) we are slaughtered(killed brutally and indiscriminately [wi ər sˈlɔtərd]) with hideous cruelty(in a shockingly brutal and inhumane manner [wɪθ ˈhɪdiəs ˈkruəlti]). No animal(not a single creature [noʊ ˈænəməl]) in England(referring to the geographical location of England [ɪn ˈɪŋglənd]) knows the meaning of(understands the significance or concept of [noʊz ðə ˈminɪŋ əv]) happiness or leisure(the state of being joyful and content, or the freedom from work or duties [ˈhæpinəs ər ˈlɛʒər]) after he is a year old(once they reach the age of one year [ˈæftər hi ɪz ə jɪr oʊld]). No animal(not a single creature [noʊ ˈænəməl]) in England(referring to the geographical location of England [ɪn ˈɪŋglənd]) is free(not under the control or domination of another [ɪz fri]). The life of an animal(the existence of a creature [ðə laɪf əv ən ˈænəməl]) is misery and slavery(a state of extreme unhappiness and servitude [ɪz ˈmɪzəri ənd sˈleɪvəri]): that is the plain truth(a straightforward and undeniable fact [ðət ɪz ðə pleɪn truθ]).