"What place(a particular position or area [pleɪs]) would(used to express a polite request or question [wʊd]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) advise(to offer suggestions about the best course of action to someone [ədˈvaɪz]) me(used by a speaker to refer to himself or herself [mi]) to visit(to go and spend time in (a place) as a tourist or guest [tɪ ˈvɪzɪt]) now(at the present time or moment [naʊ])?" he asked(to put a question to someone [æst]).
"The planet(a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət]) Earth(the third planet from the Sun, on which we live [ərθ])," replied(to say something in response [rɪˈplaɪd]) the geographer(an expert in the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere [ʤiˈɑgrəfər]). "It has(to possess or be attributed with [həz]) a good(to be desired or approved of [gʊd]) reputation(the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something [ˌrɛpjəˈteɪʃən])."
And the little(small in size [ˈlɪtəl]) prince(the son of a king or queen [prɪns]) went away(to leave or depart [wɛnt əˈweɪ]), thinking(to have a particular belief or idea [ˈθɪŋkɪŋ]) of(expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]) his(belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified [hɪz]) flower(the seed-bearing part of a plant, consisting of reproductive organs (stamens and carpels) that are typically surrounded by a brightly colored corolla (petals) and a green calyx (sepals [flaʊər]).
XVI
So then(at that time; or soon or immediately after that [ðɛn]) the seventh(constituting number seven in a sequence; 7th [ˈsɛvənθ]) planet(a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət]) was(past tense of 'is' [wɑz]) the Earth(the third planet from the Sun, on which we live [ərθ]).
The Earth(the planet on which we live [ərθ]) is(to exist or occur [ɪz]) not(used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition [nɑt]) just(exactly [ʤɪst]) an ordinary(with no special or distinctive features; normal [ˈɔrdəˌnɛri]) planet(a celestial body moving in an elliptical orbit around a star [ˈplænət])! One(used to refer to any person [wən]) can(to be able to [kən]) count(determine the total number of (a collection of items [kaʊnt]), there(in, at, or to that place or position [ðɛr]), 111 kings(a male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth [kɪŋz]) (not forgetting(fail to remember [fərˈgɛtɪŋ]), to be sure(used to emphasize the truth of something [tɪ bi ʃʊr]), the Negro(a person with African ancestry [ˈnigroʊ]) kings(a male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth [kɪŋz]) among(surrounded by; in the company of [əˈməŋ]) them(used to refer to people or things previously mentioned or easily identified [ðɛm])), 7000 geographers(an expert in the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere [geographers]), 900,000 businessmen(a person who works in commerce, especially at an executive level [ˈbɪznɪsˌmɛn]), 7,500,000 tipplers(a person who habitually drinks alcohol [tipplers]), 311,000,000 conceited(excessively proud of oneself [kənˈsitəd]) men(an adult male human being [mɛn]) — that(used to identify a specific person or thing observed or heard by the speaker [ðət]) is(to exist or occur [ɪz]) to say(used to introduce a further explanation or clarification of something that has just been said [tɪ seɪ]), about(on the subject of; concerning [əˈbaʊt]) 2,000,000,000 grown-ups(an adult [ˈgroʊˌnəps]). To give(freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to [gɪv]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) an idea(a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action [aɪˈdiə]) of(expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]) the size(the overall dimensions or extent of something [saɪz]) of(expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]) the Earth(the planet on which we live [ərθ]), I will(expressing the future tense [wɪl]) tell(communicate information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written words [tɛl]) you(the person being addressed [ju]) that(used to introduce a subordinate clause [ðət]) before(during the period of time preceding (a particular event or time [ˌbiˈfɔr]) the invention(the action of inventing something, typically a process or device [ˌɪnˈvɛnʃən]) of(expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]) electricity(a form of energy resulting from the existence of charged particles (such as electrons or protons), either statically as an accumulation of charge or dynamically as a current [ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsəti]) it was(past tense of 'is' [wɑz]) necessary(required to be done, achieved, or present; needed; essential [ˈnɛsəˌsɛri]) to maintain(cause or enable (a condition or state of affairs) to continue [tɪ meɪnˈteɪn]), over(extending directly upwards from [ˈoʊvər]) the whole(all of; entire [hoʊl]) of(expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]) the six(equivalent to the sum of five and one; one more than five; 6 [sɪks]) continents(any of the several large landmasses of the earth including Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America [ˈkɑntənənts]), a veritable(used for emphasis, often to qualify a metaphor [ˈvɛrɪtəbəl]) army(an organized military force equipped for fighting on land [ˈɑrmi]) of(expressing the relationship between a subject and what it belongs to, is about, or is connected with [əv]) 462,511 lamplighters(a person employed to light and maintain street lamps [ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]) for(with the purpose of [fər]) the street lamps(a light, usually on a tall post, that illuminates a public road in a village, town, or city [strit læmps]).
Seen(past participle of 'see', used here to indicate a viewpoint or perspective [sin]) from(indicating the source or origin [frəm]) a slight distance(a short way away; not very close [ə slaɪt ˈdɪstəns]), that(referring to something previously mentioned or implied [ ðət]) would(used to express a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]) make(to create or produce [meɪk]) a splendid spectacle(an impressive and beautiful sight or display [ə ˈsplɛndɪd ˈspɛktəkəl]). (end of the sentence)The movements(the actions or motions [ðə ˈmuvmənts]) of this army(referring to a large group of people or things, metaphorically used here [əv ðɪs ˈɑrmi]) would(expressing a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]) be regulated(controlled or governed according to a set of rules or principles [bi ˈrɛgjəˌleɪtɪd]) like(similar to; in the same way as [laɪk]) those(referring to the movements [ðoʊz]) of the ballet(a type of dance performance [əv ðə bæˈleɪ]) in the opera(a dramatic work in which the actors sing some or all of their parts [ɪn ðə ˈɑprə]). (end of the sentence)First(at the beginning; before anything else [fərst]) would(expressing a future event or a conditional situation [wʊd]) come(to arrive or appear [kəm]) the turn(the opportunity or time for someone to do something [ðə tərn]) of the lamplighters(people who light street lamps [əv ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]) of New Zealand(a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean [əv nu ˈzilənd]) and(connecting two or more things [ənd]) Australia(a country and continent in the Southern Hemisphere [ɔˈstreɪljə]). (end of the sentence)Having set(after setting; after the action of setting is completed [ˈhævɪŋ sɛt]) their lamps(the lights they are responsible for [ðɛr læmps]) alight(lit; burning [əˈlaɪt]), these(referring to the lamplighters [ ðiz]) would(expressing a future or habitual action [wʊd]) go off(to leave or depart [goʊ ɔf]) to sleep(to enter a state of rest [tɪ slip]). (end of the sentence)Next(afterward; following in order [nɛkst]), the lamplighters(people who light street lamps [ ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]) of China(a country in East Asia [əv ˈʧaɪnə]) and(connecting two or more things [ənd]) Siberia(a vast region in Russia [saɪˈbɪriə]) would(expressing a future or habitual action [wʊd]) enter(to come or go into a place [ˈɛnər]) for their steps(referring to their part in the dance [fər ðɛr stɛps]) in the dance(a series of movements performed to music [ɪn ðə dæns]), and(connecting two or more things [ ənd]) then(at that time; after that [ðɛn]) they(referring to the lamplighters [ðeɪ]) too(also; in addition [tu]) would(expressing a future or habitual action [wʊd]) be waved(to be signaled with a hand movement [bi weɪvd]) back(to the original position or place [bæk]) into the wings(the sides of a stage, out of view of the audience [ˈɪntu ðə wɪŋz]). (end of the sentence)After that(following that; subsequently [ˈæftər ðət]) would(expressing a future or conditional action [wʊd]) come(to arrive or appear [kəm]) the turn(the opportunity or time for someone to do something [ðə tərn]) of the lamplighters(people who light street lamps [əv ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]) of Russia(a country in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia [əv ˈrəʃə]) and(connecting two or more things [ənd]) the Indies(historical term for the East Indies or South Asia [ðə ˈɪndiz]); then(at that time; after that [ ðɛn]) those(referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]) of Africa(a continent [əv ˈæfrɪkɑ]) and(connecting two or more things [ənd]) Europe(a continent [ˈjʊrəp]); then(at that time; after that [ ðɛn]) those(referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]) of South America(a continent [əv saʊθ əˈmɛrɪkə]); then(at that time; after that [ ðɛn]) those(referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]) of South America(a continent [əv saʊθ əˈmɛrɪkə]); then(at that time; after that [ ðɛn]) those(referring to the lamplighters [ðoʊz]) of North America(a continent [əv nɔrθ əˈmɛrɪkə]). (end of the sentence)And(used to connect two or more things [ənd]) never(at no time; not ever [ˈnɛvər]) would(expressing a conditional or habitual action [wʊd]) they(referring to the lamplighters [ðeɪ]) make(to perform or do [meɪk]) a mistake(an error or fault [ə mɪˈsteɪk]) in the order(the sequence or arrangement [ɪn ðə ˈɔrdər]) of their entry(the act of coming onto the stage [əv ðɛr ˈɛntri]) upon the stage(the platform where a performance takes place [əˈpɑn ðə steɪʤ]). (end of the sentence)It(referring to the whole spectacle [ɪt]) would(expressing a conditional or hypothetical situation [wʊd]) be magnificent(extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive [bi mægˈnɪfɪsənt]).
Only(solely; just [ˈoʊnli]) the man(a male human being [ðə mæn]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'the man' [hu]) was in charge of(had the responsibility for; managed [wɑz ɪn ʧɑrʤ əv]) the single lamp(the only lamp; a solitary lamp [ðə ˈsɪŋgəl læmp]) at the North Pole(at the northernmost point of the Earth [æt ðə nɔrθ poʊl]), and(conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]) his colleague(a person with whom one works; associate [hɪz ˈkɑlig]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'his colleague' [hu]) was responsible for(had the duty of; accountable for [wɑz riˈspɑnsəbəl fər]) the single lamp(the only lamp; a solitary lamp [ðə ˈsɪŋgəl læmp]) at the South Pole(at the southernmost point of the Earth [æt ðə saʊθ poʊl]) — only(solely; just [ˈoʊnli]) these two(referring to the man at the North Pole and his colleague at the South Pole [ðiz tu]) would live(would exist; would have their lives [wʊd lɪv]) free from(without; not subject to [fri frəm]) toil and care(hard work and worry [tɔɪl ənd kɛr]): they(referring to the two men [ðeɪ]) would be(future tense of 'to be' [wʊd bi]) busy(occupied; engaged in activity [ˈbɪzi]) twice a year(two times per year [twaɪs ə jɪr]).
XVII
When(at the time that; during [wɪn]) one(a person; an individual [wən]) wishes(wants; desires [ˈwɪʃɪz]) to play the wit(to act cleverly or humorously [tɪ pleɪ ðə wɪt]), he(referring to 'one' [hi]) sometimes(occasionally; now and then [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]) wanders(deviates; strays [ˈwɑndərz]) a little(slightly; somewhat [ə ˈlɪtəl]) from the truth(away from what is factual or accurate [frəm ðə truθ]). I(the speaker; the narrator [aɪ]) have not been(past perfect negative form of 'to be' [hæv nɑt bɪn]) altogether(completely; entirely [ˌɔltəˈgɛðər]) honest(truthful; sincere [ˈɑnəst]) in what I have told you(regarding the information I have given you [ɪn wət aɪ hæv toʊld ju]) about the lamplighters(concerning the people who light the lamps [əˈbaʊt ðə ˈlæmˌplaɪtərz]). And(conjunction indicating addition [ənd]) I realize(I understand; I am aware [aɪ ˈriəˌlaɪz]) that(conjunction introducing a clause [ðət]) I run the risk(I am in danger of [aɪ rən ðə rɪsk]) of giving(of providing; of presenting [əv ˈgɪvɪŋ]) a false idea(an inaccurate impression [ə fɔls aɪˈdiə]) of our planet(concerning the Earth [əv ɑr ˈplænət]) to those(to the people [tɪ ðoʊz]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'those' [hu]) do not know(are not familiar with [du nɑt noʊ]) it(referring to 'our planet' [ɪt]). Men(human beings; people [mɛn]) occupy(take up; fill [ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ]) a very small place(a limited area or position [ə ˈvɛri smɔl pleɪs]) upon the Earth(on the surface of the Earth [əˈpɑn ðə ərθ]). If(conditional conjunction [ɪf]) the two billion(a large number; 2,000,000,000 [ðə tu ˈbɪljən]) inhabitants(people who live in a place [ˌɪnˈhæbɪtənts]) who(relative pronoun referring to 'inhabitants' [hu]) people(populate; live on [ˈpipəl]) its surface(the Earth's outer layer [ɪts ˈsərfəs]) were all to stand(if everyone stood [wər ɔl tɪ stænd]) upright(vertically; erect [ˈəˌpraɪt]) and(conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]) somewhat crowded(a little close together [ˈsəmˈwət ˈkraʊdɪd]) together(in proximity; near each other [təˈgɛðər]), as(in the same way that [ɛz]) they do(they stand [ðeɪ du]) for some big public assembly(at a large gathering of people [fər səm bɪg ˈpəblɪk əˈsɛmbli]), they(referring to the two billion inhabitants [ðeɪ]) could easily(would have no problem [kʊd ˈizəli]) be put into(be placed inside [bi pʊt ˈɪntu]) one public square(a single open area in a city or town [wən ˈpəblɪk skwɛr]) twenty miles long(twenty miles in length [tˈwɛnti maɪəlz lɔŋ]) and(conjunction connecting two similar elements [ənd]) twenty miles wide(twenty miles in width [tˈwɛnti maɪəlz waɪd]). All humanity(all of the human race [ɔl juˈmænɪti]) could be piled up(could be stacked or gathered together [kʊd bi paɪld əp]) on a small Pacific islet(on a tiny island in the Pacific Ocean [ɔn ə smɔl pəˈsɪfɪk ˈaɪlɪt]).