Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
901 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 C1PoetryLegends and Lyrics. Part 2In a quiet convent by the Mediterranean, Sister Angela tends her daily prayers and floral offerings, embodying innocence amid an ancient legend.
Level C1PoetryLegends and Lyrics. Part 1A collection of heartfelt poems weaving legends, personal reflections, and lyrical beauty, accompanied by an intimate introduction revealing the secret identity of the poet behind…
Level C1HistoricalLectures on the English Poets; Delivered at the Surrey InstitutionExplore the vivid world of English poetry as it unfolds from Chaucer to the living poets, revealing how imagination and passion shape our deepest human experiences through verse.
Level C1HistoricalLectures on English poetsExplore a series of insightful lectures revealing the essence and impact of English poets through vivid imagery, thoughtful criticism, and poetic prose, delivered by a scholar-poet…
Level C1PoetryLeaves for a Christmas Bough: Love, Truth, and HopeCelebrate the joys and lessons of childhood through heartfelt letters, sketches, and reminiscences that capture the spirit of Christmas and the warmth of friendship, kindness, and…
Level C1HistoricalLays of the Scottish Cavaliers and Other PoemsAmid the devastating defeat at the Battle of Flodden in 1513, Scottish nobles and commoners alike face harrowing loss and unyielding valor.
Level C1PoetryLays of ancient Virginia, and other poemsExplore a poetic journey through Virginia’s rich history and nature, where myth and devotion intertwine in vivid scenes—from Jamestown’s legacy to enchanted woods and prophetic vis…
Level C1HistoricalLays of Ancient RomeDive into the legendary tales and myths surrounding the founding and early history of Rome, where gods mingle with mortals, heroes defend the city, and ancient battles shape the de…
Level C1PoetryLays and Legends of the English Lake Country: With Copious NotesDiscover the turbulent history and enduring legends of England’s Lake District, where ancient clans, border feuds, and rugged landscapes shape a land rich in stories and heritage,…
Level C1PoetryLays and Legends (Second Series)Discover a rich tapestry of poems weaving love, loss, faith, and life’s struggles, from haunting ballads to tender lullabies, all echoing voices from everyday souls and timeless le…
Level C1HistoricalLaura Secord, the heroine of 1812: A Drama; and Other PoemsAmid the turmoil of the War of 1812, a brave woman undertakes a perilous journey to warn of an impending attack, risking everything to protect her homeland and secure the future of…
Level C1PoetryLaughable LyricsWhimsical creatures and curious adventures abound in a world where a forlorn Dong wanders with a glowing nose, searching for his lost love, while two old bachelors embark on a hila…
Level C1PoetryLauds and libelsA sharp and witty collection of poems offers reflections on society, culture, and wartime life, blending humor and critique in verses that capture the complexities of men, women, a…
Level C1PoetryLater PoemsExplore the enchanting beauty and profound mysteries of the world through evocative poems that celebrate nature’s wonders and the soul’s eternal journey, inviting readers into a ti…
Level C1PoetryLate Lyrics and Earlier, With Many Other VersesExplore a rich collection of reflective verses spanning years of thought, blending stark realities with lighter traditions.
Level C1PoetryLast PoemsExplore a world where nature’s quiet beauty and haunting memories intertwine, as a solitary voice reflects on fleeting moments, lost love, and the mysterious whispers of the wild.
Level C1PoetryLandscape and SongImmerse yourself in a collection of evocative poems that celebrate nature's beauty, from blooming flowers and babbling brooks to changing seasons, weaving themes of love, loss, and…
Level C1RomanceLalla RookhJourney to an enchanting Eastern realm where love and destiny intertwine through a series of captivating poetic tales, weaving romance, royalty, and mystical charm into a richly im…
Level C1PoetryLa Légende des SièclesExplore humanity’s journey through history, philosophy, and myth as it struggles from barbarism toward a radiant golden age, depicted in a sweeping series of poetic scenes capturin…
Level C1RomanceLa Chanson de Roland : Translated from the Seventh Edition of Léon GautierIn a Pyrenean valley, Charlemagne’s rear-guard, led by Roland, faces a deadly ambush that sparks legend.
Level C1HistoricalKonrad Wallenrod: An Historical PoemAmid the fierce conflicts between the Teutonic Order and the Lithuanian nation, a tale unfolds of shifting allegiances, cultural clashes, and a struggle for identity in a turbulent…
Level C1PoetryKipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book IIDiscover the vivid tales and stirring poems shaped by a boy raised amid the bustling, diverse life of 19th-century Bombay, whose early experiences across continents ignite a rich i…
Level C1PoetryKing Hacon's Death, and Bran and the Black Dog: Two BalladsIn a stirring blend of history and myth, a noble king confronts loss and duty as his kingdom faces peril, while a mysterious stranger and his formidable black dog challenge the val…
Level C1PoetryKing Diderik and the fight between the Lion and Dragon, and Other BalladsA fearless king encounters a fierce battle between a lion and a dragon, leading him into a perilous quest filled with fiery swords, cunning serpents, and unlikely alliances.
Level C1PoetryKentucky PoemsImmerse yourself in the lush landscapes and serene beauty of Kentucky through meditative lyric poems that capture the spirit and colors of its native soil, weaving nature’s quiet m…
Level C1PoetryKeats: Poems Published in 1820Dive into the vivid world of a young poet whose brief life yielded a remarkable collection of evocative and evolving verse, shaped by personal loss, classical inspiration, and a pa…
Level C1PoetryKatydid's PoemsDelicate and heartfelt verses capture the natural beauty and tender emotions of life, weaving music and pure sentiment into each rhyme.
Level C1PoetryJoyce KilmerDive into the heartfelt memoir and poems of a poet whose rich Irish-American heritage and soldierly spirit shape an inspiring chronicle of early 20th-century life and letters.
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 7Explore the beauty and craft of poetry through vivid nature scenes and rhythmic patterns, from golden daffodils dancing in the breeze to the quiet resilience of a mouse displaced b…
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 6Amidst the siege of ancient Rome, brave Horatius stands defiant at the city gates, facing overwhelming odds to protect his homeland, its sacred temples, and the legacy of his ances…
Level C1HistoricalJohnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1Explore the intertwined lives of English poets, from the troubled Richard Savage to the pious Joseph Addison, as their stories reveal the trials, deceptions, and triumphs behind th…
Level C1PoetryJohn Smith, U.S.A.A homesick wanderer in London finds unexpected comfort in the common name "John Smith, U.
Level C1PoetryJohn Greenleaf Whittier: His Life, Genius, and WritingsExplore the life and spirit of a humble yet fearless Quaker poet who championed human rights and New England’s rugged beauty, turning his convictions and experiences into stirring…
Level C1PoetryJohn Greenleaf Whittier: A sketch of his life, with selected poemsExplore the humble Quaker homestead where a poet’s spirit is shaped by solitude, steadfast ideals, and the harsh New England landscape.
Level C1AdventureJack the Giant KillerIn a world where giants roam and griffins soar, a fearless young hero trains to face monstrous foes and win glory.
Level C1PoetryJack and the Bean-Stalk: English HexametersA lazy boy trades his cow for magic beans that grow into a towering beanstalk leading to a mysterious island guarded by a fearsome giant and his wife.
Level C1HistoricalIsmael; an oriental tale. With other poemsA youthful poet, barely in his teens, offers a vivid collection of early verses bursting with imagination and sincerity, capturing the spirit of his time and the passion of a buddi…
Level C1PoetryIrradiations; Sand and SprayDive into a poetic exploration that challenges traditional forms, revealing rhythm and cadence as the true heart of verse.
Level C1HistoricalIreton, a PoemJourney to the birthplace of General Ireton as this poem explores the moral and political struggles of England's great Civil War reformers, delving into the clash between monarchy…
Level C1PoetryIntroducing Irony: A Book of Poetic Short Stories and PoemsDive into a world where poetic stories blur the lines between reality and imagination, featuring vivid characters like the enigmatic Geroid Latour and a haunting dreamscape of emot…
Level C1HistoricalInterpretations of Poetry and ReligionExplore the profound connection between poetry and religion as expressions of human ideals rather than factual truths, revealing how both shape our understanding of life, morality,…
Level C1PoetryInterludes: being Two Essays, a Story, and Some VersesExplore the art and challenge of criticism as it dissects literary and artistic judgments, revealing why fair critique is both necessary and often resented in society.
Level C1PoetryIndian Legends of MinnesotaVenture into Minnesota's wild landscapes where ancient Sioux and Ojibway legends come alive, weaving tales of love, war, and mystery tied to lakes, forests, and sacred sites.
Level C1PoetryIndian Legends and Other PoemsExplore rich Native American legends and haunting historical tales woven into poetic form, from warrior spirits and phantom brides to tragic falls and ancient judgments, capturing…
Level C1RomanceIndia's Love LyricsPassion and longing intertwine in a vivid tapestry of love poems set against the sunlit landscapes and ancient temples of India, where desire blooms transiently beneath the poppies…
Level C1PoetryIn this our worldExplore the pulse of life and society through a powerful collection of poems that delve into birth, nature, heroism, and the struggles of modern existence, weaving reflections on d…
Level C1PoetryIn the Yule-Log Glow, Book I: Christmas Tales from 'Round the WorldStep into a cozy common-room where travelers from across the globe share enchanting Christmas tales by the warming Yule-log glow.
Level C1PoetryIn the Saddle: A Collection of Poems on Horseback-RidingExperience the thrill and beauty of horseback riding through a diverse collection of poems that capture the bond between rider and horse, epic journeys, and timeless tales of adven…