Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
897 poetry books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best poetry classics to read in English as a learner?
The best poetry classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast, The Bustān of Sadi and The Bush Fire, and Other Verses. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
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Level C1PoetryThe Buckle My Shoe Picture BookDelight in whimsical nursery rhymes and imaginative verses brought to life with charming illustrations, weaving playful counting games and fanciful creatures that spark wonder and…
Level C1PoetryThe Brownings, Their Life and ArtExplore the intertwined lives of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, whose poetic genius and enduring love blossom amidst the enchanting landscapes of Italy and the rich tapestr…
Level C1PoetryThe Browning Cyclopædia: A Guide to the Study of the Works of Robert BrowningExplore an exhaustive guide that unravels every allusion, name, and complex passage in Robert Browning’s poetry, offering detailed analyses and historical context to deepen your un…
Level C1PoetryThe Brother Avenged, and Other BalladsVengeance drives a brother through exile and hardship as he hunts his family’s killers across wild lands, while love and rebellion echo in stirring ballads of passion and justice.
Level C1PoetryThe Bridling of Pegasus: Prose Papers on PoetryExplore the enduring principles that define great poetry, examining how melody, clarity, and imagination transform the real into the ideal.
Level C1PoetryThe BrideA bride defends marriage against proud maidens who scorn its vows, urging them to embrace the honor and joy of wedlock while revealing unexpected tales, including a unique twist on…
Level C1HistoricalThe Bridal of Pennacook: Part 2 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierFive travelers navigate the wild northern hills, weaving through majestic landscapes and stormy weather, while forging unexpected bonds and facing personal trials amidst the untame…
Level C1PoetryThe Breitmann BalladsDive into lively ballads that blend humor, culture, and playful language, capturing the spirited voice of Hans Breitmann as he navigates joy, fashion, and friendship in a uniquely…
Level C1HistoricalThe Botanic Garden. Part 2, Containing the Loves of the Plants. A Poem.: With Philosophical Notes.Explore the intricate world of plant reproduction through poetic verses and philosophical insights, revealing Linnaeus's sexual system and the botanical classification that uncover…
Level C1HistoricalThe Botanic Garden, a Poem in Two Parts. Part 1: the Economy of VegetationDive into a poetic journey where imagination meets science, exploring the physiology of plants and the elemental forces that nurture vegetation.
Level C1PoetryThe Book of the NativeJourney through the intimate bond between humanity and nature, where ancient mysteries and the cycles of life unfold in vivid verse.
Level C1PoetryThe Book of the Epic: The World's Great Epics Told in StoryJourney through the elemental origins of storytelling with epic tales that capture the timeless passions and ideals shaping nations and humanity.
Level C1RomanceThe Book of the Duke of True LoversAmidst the turmoil of medieval France, a noble duke and his beloved endure separation and longing, their secret romance unfolding through stolen moments and heartfelt poems.
Level C1PoetryThe Book of Old English BalladsDive into vivid, objective tales of historical events, local legends, and daring adventures told with the fresh, unembellished spirit of popular English ballads.
Level C1PoetryThe Book of Joyous ChildrenStep into a world where children’s laughter leads a whimsical march through enchanted orchards, fairy kingdoms, and sunlit adventures, capturing the wild joy and innocent dreams of…
Level C1PoetryThe Book of Humorous VerseDive into a witty collection of humorous poems that celebrate laughter’s unique place in human nature, offering a carefully curated blend of popular and classical verses sure to am…
Level C1HistoricalThe Book of Delight, and other papersExplore a vivid tapestry of medieval life through spoken addresses and poetic narratives that blend folklore, humor, and personal insight.![Cover of The Book of Ballads, edited by Bon Gaultier [pseud.] by Theodore Martin](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da75t51bccoc73elq4dg.webp)
Level C1PoetryThe Book of Ballads, edited by Bon Gaultier [pseud.]Dive into a sharp, witty collection of ballads that challenge the romanticized glorification of criminals in popular literature.
Level C1PoetryThe Blood of Rachel, a Dramatization of Esther, and Other PoemsIn the ancient Persian palace of Shushan, Queen Esther conceals her identity while navigating royal intrigue and defiance, as loyal Mordecai and the cunning Haman clash in a dramat…
Level C1PoetryThe Biglow PapersSharp wit and biting satire bring to life New England voices grappling with the Mexican War and the shadow of slavery, exposing political hypocrisy and human frailty through vivid…
Level C1PoetryThe Beginnings of PoetryExplore the rise of poetry as a social institution, tracing its enduring role and challenges through history without delving into its artistic techniques or origins.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battle of TalaveraAmid the ancient city of Talavera, battered by centuries of war, a fierce battle unfolds between vastly outnumbered British and Spanish forces against the elite French army.
Level C1HistoricalThe Battaile of AgincourtAmidst the echoes of England’s storied past, this epic poem vividly recounts the fierce and fateful Battle of Agincourt, capturing the valor and national pride that shaped a pivota…
Level C1PoetryThe Baron's Yule Feast: A Christmas RhymeStep into a medieval world where ancient ruins inspire tales of romance, feudal power, and festive celebration.
Level C1PoetryThe Banks of Wye: A PoemA spirited journey unfolds along the wild and scenic Wye River, where nature’s beauty and historic castles inspire poetic reflections.
Level C1PoetryThe Bankrupt; Or, Advice to the Insolvent.: A Poem, addressed to a friend, with other piecesA man reflects on his descent from youthful folly and reckless spending into the harsh realities of bankruptcy, exploring the painful process of debt, disgrace, and the hope for re…
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads and Songs of Yorkshire: Transcribed from Private Manuscripts, Rare Broadsides, and Scarce Publications; with Notes and a GlossaryDiscover a rich collection of Yorkshire's ballads and songs, drawn from rare manuscripts and broadsides, capturing tales from historic battles to legendary abbeys, all preserved wi…
Level C1PoetryThe Ballads & Songs of Derbyshire: With Illustrative Notes, and Examples of the Original Music, etc.Discover over fifty rare and intriguing ballads and songs rooted in Derbyshire’s history, brought to life with notes on their origins and performances by local minstrels like the l…
Level C1HistoricalThe BalladistsExplore the mysterious origins and timeless passion of Scottish ballads, where nameless poets capture fateful love and sorrow beneath open skies, weaving songs that echo through ge…
Level C1HistoricalThe Ballad of the White HorseA legendary King Alfred faces the dark forces threatening his land, blending myth and history in a stirring tale of courage, faith, and the enduring power of tradition amidst the c…
Level C1RomanceThe Bakhtyār Nāma: A Persian RomanceDive into the captivating world of Prince Bakhtyār, where grounded tales of love and adventure unfold without the usual magic and extravagance of Eastern romances.
Level C1PoetryThe Bakchesarian Fountain and Other PoemsIn a secluded harem ruled by a ruthless eunuch, captive beauties endure a life of sorrow and silence, while Khan Giray grapples with a mysterious anguish that shadows his once prou…
Level C1PoetryThe Babes in the Wood: One of R. Caldecott's Picture BooksWhimsical verses and charming illustrations bring to life beloved nursery rhymes and playful tales, inviting readers of all ages to laugh and explore a world of imagination and hum…
Level C1PoetryThe Bab Ballads, with Which Are Included Songs of a SavoyardA witty collection of humorous and whimsical ballads and songs, accompanied by lively illustrations, blending clever satire with charming storytelling.
Level C1PoetryThe Autocrat of the Breakfast-TableEngage in witty, philosophical conversations at the breakfast table where the Autocrat shares sharp observations on life, language, and learning, blending humor and intellect in a…
Level C1PoetryThe Authoress of the Odyssey: Where and when she wrote, who she was, the use she made of the Iliad, and how the poem grew under her handsUncover the mystery behind the Odyssey’s creation, exploring who the poetess was, where and when she composed this epic, and how it evolved from the Iliad’s legacy through a detail…
Level C1HistoricalThe Astronomy of Milton's 'Paradise Lost'Explore the celestial wonders woven into a timeless epic as ancient astronomy illuminates Milton’s cosmic vision.
Level C1PoetryThe Ascent of ManExplore the rugged beauty and spiritual struggles of early Christian monks, where faith, love, and human passion collide in vivid poetic narrative and stirring sonnets that illumin…
Level C1PoetryThe Art of PoliticksDive into a witty poetic satire that transforms Horace’s art of poetry into a sharp critique of 18th-century politics, blending rhetoric, political history, and social commentary w…
Level C1PoetryThe Art of Poetry: an Epistle to the Pisos: Q. Horatii Flacci Epistola Ad Pisones, De Arte Poetica.Explore the timeless guidance of a master poet who instructs young writers on the art of composition, blending criticism and creativity in an epistle that reveals the essence of po…
Level C1HistoricalThe Art of Kissing: Curiously, Historically, Humorously, Poetically ConsideredExplore the fascinating history and cultural significance of kissing, from ancient religious rites and biblical symbolism to poetic musings and scientific insights, revealing how t…
Level C1PoetryThe Art of Architecture: A Poem in Imitation of Horace's Art of PoetryExplore the passionate struggles of an 18th-century architect who seeks to define the art of architecture through poetic form, blending humanist principles with the challenge of a…
Level C1PoetryThe Arm ChairDiscover a rich tapestry of history and heartfelt stories woven around an armchair crafted long ago, capturing the lives and legacies of those who once gathered near it.
Level C1PoetryThe ArgonauticaEmbark on the epic voyage of Jason and the Argonauts as they navigate treacherous seas and face divine challenges in their quest for the Golden Fleece, weaving adventure with the t…
Level C1RomanceThe Arctic QueenIn the icy grip of the Arctic, a daring expedition seeks the lost Sir John Franklin, weaving a tale of courage and discovery where bravery meets the vast, unforgiving polar sea.
Level C1PoetryThe Anglican Friar, and the Fish which he Took by Hook and by Crook: A Comic LegendAn avid angler journeys to Ireland, captivated by its scenic rivers and the thrill of the catch.
Level C1PoetryThe Angel of DeathExplore the profound reflections of life, death, and spirituality through majestic yet accessible verse.
Level C1PoetryThe Angel in the CloudExplore heartfelt reflections and poignant verses that weave faith, memory, and nature into a poetic journey, revealing the intimate struggles and hopes of a 19th-century soul comm…