Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
1,353 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 Thrills of a Bell Boy, Three Women and Three Sunsets and Other Poems. 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.
- 1,353
- books
Level C1PoetryFugitive PoetryExplore a collection of reflective and heartfelt poems that seek to ease sorrow, inspire kindness, and brighten the human spirit through vivid scenes, personal musings, and timeles…
Level C1PoetryFugitive PiecesEarly poetic works reveal the youthful voice of a restless spirit grappling with love, loss, and identity through a collection of intimate verses and reflections.
Level C1PoetryFrontier Humor in Verse, Prose and PictureDive into uproarious tales and vivid sketches of frontier life, where awkward social calls, quirky characters, and sharp humor paint a lively picture of everyday adventures and mis…
Level C1PoetryFrontier BalladsExperience the rugged spirit of prairie life through stirring ballads that celebrate frontier faith, courage, and the harsh realities of Dakota militia patrols, capturing the raw b…
Level C1PoetryFrom the Five RiversUnder a star-studded sky, Gunesh Chund, village headman, awaits the birth of his heir amid omens of luck and renewal in a timeless rural landscape where tradition and nature intert…
Level C1PoetryFritiofs SagaJourney into a world where nature's wild music and ancient gods walk among mortals, as a heroic saga unfolds, embodying the spirit and ideals of a proud people through stirring ver…
Level C1PoetryFridthjof's Saga; a Norse romanceIn a land of northern storms and ancient rites, a steadfast youth named Fridthjof grows alongside the graceful Ingeborg, their bond blossoming amid wild adventures and heartfelt le…
Level C1PoetryFrench LyricsDiscover the rich, distinct world of French lyric poetry, tracing its evolution from the Troubadours' courtly love verses to intricate, artful forms.
Level C1PoetryFreedom, truth and beautyBlind yet soaring beyond darkness, a poet finds divine joy and profound truth in suffering and faith, inspiring readers to discover hope and beauty within life's deepest trials.
Level C1PoetryFragments of Ancient PoetryUnearth the passionate and mysterious translations of ancient Gaelic poetry that captivated Edinburgh’s literary elite and sparked a fierce controversy over their authenticity and…
Level C1PoetryFood for the Mind: Or, A New Riddle-bookDive into a world where riddles unlock hidden truths and sharpen the mind, blending ancient wisdom with playful challenges that reveal the art of disguise and discovery in everyday…
Level C1PoetryFoliage: Various PoemsExplore a vivid collection of poems that celebrate nature, human kindness, and life's simple joys, capturing moments from thunderstorms to May mornings with heartfelt reflection an…
Level C1PoetryFly LeavesStep into a world where dawn chases night and lovers meet beneath ancient trees, while whimsical creatures and quiet moments of reflection paint a vivid tapestry of nature, love, a…
Level C1PoetryFlint and Feather: Collected VerseExplore the vivid spirit of Canada through powerful verse that blends Indigenous heritage and the natural world, capturing a unique voice that resonates with passion and pride in t…
Level C1PoetryFleurs De Lys, and Other PoemsExplore stirring poems that capture moments of sorrow, hope, and national pride, weaving vivid scenes from Canada’s royal past to England’s enduring reign, all through heartfelt ve…
Level C1HistoricalFive Men and Pompey: A Series of Dramatic PortraitsStep into the turbulent world of ancient Rome through vivid portraits of five men and Pompey, capturing pivotal moments from banquets to battles that shaped history’s grand drama.
Level C1PoetryFiscal BalladsSharp, witty ballads dissect the quirks and controversies of fiscal policy with clever verse and biting humor, revealing the tangled world of trade, protectionism, and economics as…
Level C1PoetryFir-Flower Tablets: Poems Translated from the ChineseDelve into a unique collaboration that breathes poetic life into ancient Chinese verses, blending literal translation with artistic spirit to reveal the rich imagery and subtle mea…
Level C1PoetryFinnish Arts; Or, Sir Thor and Damsel Thure, a BalladA valiant knight returns from Rome to claim his bride, Damsel Thure, whose heart is torn between loyalty and a looming arranged marriage to a powerful duke.
Level C1PoetryFifty Years, & Other PoemsExplore the rich emotions and cultural heritage of African Americans through powerful lyrics and vibrant dialect poems that capture both universal human experiences and the unique…
Level C1PoetryFifty "Bab" Ballads: Much Sound and Little SenseSet sail with the devoted Captain Reece, who goes to whimsical lengths to ensure his crew’s happiness—even proposing marriage to his own family’s ladies to lift their spirits aboar…
Level C1PoetryFifteen sonnets of PetrarchBask in the timeless beauty of nature and love as delicate sonnets evoke sunlit shores, blooming flowers, and the tender memory of Laura.![Cover of Faust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dagka1micedc739b5s80.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust: a Tragedy [part 1], Translated from the German of GoetheA restless scholar, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, turns to dark and supernatural forces in a desperate quest for meaning, setting in motion a dramatic clash between…
Level C1PoetryFaust — Part 1A scholar disillusioned by the limits of knowledge makes a pact with a mysterious stranger, unleashing a profound exploration of human desire, ambition, and the quest for meaning a…![Cover of Faust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original Metres by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6p56q2orus73fpjrfg.webp)
Level C1PoetryFaust [part 1]. Translated Into English in the Original MetresA scholar, disillusioned yet desperate for meaning, summons dark forces in a pact that challenges the limits of human knowledge and ambition.
Level C1PoetryFarm LegendsExplore the heartfelt and honest tales woven through rural life, where every character—whether humble or seemingly flawless—reveals the comic, tragic, and profound moments that sha…
Level C1PoetryFarm BalladsTensions rise between Betsey and her husband as years of small disagreements and stubborn pride push their marriage to the breaking point, forcing them to confront what it truly me…
Level C1PoetryFanny, with Other PoemsA shy young woman named Fanny navigates the hopes and hardships of youth amid New York’s social climb and family ambition, as a poet reflects on love, society, and the transformati…
Level C1HistoricalFamiliar Studies in HomerExplore the vibrant world of Homeric epics brought to life through archaeological discoveries that connect myth to history.
Level C1PoetryFairy Realm: A Collection of the Favourite Old Tales Told in VerseIn a kingdom where silence suddenly falls, a royal christening sparks a tense encounter with an uninvited, spiteful fairy whose unpredictable gift threatens the fate of a newborn p…
Level C1PoetryFables of Flowers for the Female Sex. With Zephyrus and Flora, a VisionDelight in a poetic vision where flowers speak through fables, offering moral lessons and gentle wisdom to young women.
Level C1HistoricalExcursions, and Poems: The Writings of Henry David Thoreau, Volume 05 (of 20)Embark on reflective journeys through nature and society, tracing the vivid landscapes and thoughtful observations of a traveler who challenges conventions and finds profound meani…
Level C1HistoricalEvery Man His Own Poet; Or, The Inspired Singer's Recipe BookDive into a witty exploration of poetry as a craft, where inspiration meets science and trickery in the pursuit of verse.
Level C1PoetryEventide: A Series of Tales and PoemsUnder the starlit calm of Wimbledon, gentle whispers of romance and hidden struggles unfold amid blooming gardens and shadowed groves, where the lives of village folk intertwine in…
Level C1PoetryEvenings at Home; Or, The Juvenile Budget OpenedA collection of engaging tales and lessons crafted to delight and instruct children from ages four to fourteen, blending simplicity with wisdom to inspire young minds and nurture t…
Level C1PoetryEvening songsImmerse yourself in tender, lyrical verses that capture the heartfelt emotions and romantic spirit of a bygone Czech era, inviting youthful hearts into a world of fragrant evening…
Level C1RomanceEvangeline: A Tale of AcadieIn the peaceful Acadian village of Grand-Pré, young Evangeline embodies hope and devotion amid idyllic farms and faithful hearts, but the shadows of fate loom over this tranquil la…
Level C1HistoricalEuphorion - Vol. II: Being Studies of the Antique and the Mediaeval in the RenaissanceExplore the intricate balance between realism and idealism in Renaissance portrait art, revealing how artists blend decorative beauty with faithful likeness to capture both the rea…
Level C1PoetryEugene Field, a Study in Heredity and Contradictions — Volume 1Step into the quirky life of a man who preferred whimsical fiction over boring facts, spinning outrageous tales about friends and himself.
Level C1HistoricalEssays in criticismDive into a thoughtful exploration of literary criticism and cultural reflection, where the author challenges prevailing opinions and seeks a balanced vision of truth amidst changi…
Level C1AdventureErmelineA daring knight encounters the mysterious Dwarf’s daughter, whose magical harp enchants the forest and ensnares him in a perilous spell.
Level C1RomanceEpic and Romance: Essays on Medieval LiteratureExplore the rich tapestry of medieval narrative literature through insightful essays that illuminate epic poetry, romances, and ballads, revealing the intricate connections and cul…
Level C1PoetryEnthusiasm and Other PoemsExplore vivid reflections on nature, faith, and human emotion in a collection of poems that traverse themes from biblical visions and personal loss to the changing seasons and the…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume VIIDive into the fierce clash between Scots and English at Otterbourne, where valor and strategy collide in a brutal border skirmish led by legendary warriors Hotspur and the Earl of…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume VIDive into the rugged tales of border outlaws, blind harpers, and ancient feuds as Scottish and English ballads unfold stories of daring thefts, legendary strength, and royal encoun…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume VExplore the legendary exploits of Robin Hood, the noble outlaw of Sherwood, as his daring adventures, loyalty, and love of justice unfold through ancient ballads that blur the line…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume IIIDive into haunting tales of love, betrayal, and ancient customs woven through English and Scottish ballads, where ghostly lights and age-old superstitions illuminate the dark myste…
Level C1PoetryEnglish and Scottish Ballads, Volume IIExplore haunting tales of love, betrayal, and legend through traditional English and Scottish ballads, where ancient melodies reveal timeless human dramas woven into the fabric of…