Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
1,416 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 Ægle and the elf, a fantasy, Zophiel and Zephyrs. 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.
- 1,416
- books
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…
Level C1PoetryEnglish Men of Letters: CrabbeExplore the life and work of an English poet whose vivid portrayals of rural poverty and human nature challenged poetic norms, offering a compelling glimpse into 18th-century coast…
Level C1HistoricalEnglish Critical Essays: Nineteenth CenturyExplore the evolution of English literary criticism during the nineteenth century, tracing the shift from Neo-classicism to Romanticism through seminal essays and poetic theories t…
Level C1HistoricalEngland's AntiphonExplore the evolution of England’s religious poetry as it intertwines with the nation's history, revealing how heartfelt song and worship unite generations in a timeless chorus of…
Level C1PoetryEmbers, Volume 3.Explore the tender reflections of youth, love, and memory woven through evocative verses that trace the passage of time and the lingering presence of past joys and sorrows in every…
Level C1PoetryEmbers, Volume 1.A collection of heartfelt verses captures youth, memory, and fleeting impressions, weaving tales of love, loss, and longing against a backdrop of pastoral and distant lands.
Level C1PoetryEmbers, CompleteA collection of heartfelt poems capturing youthful memories, love, and longing across landscapes both near and far.
Level C1PoetryElves and HeroesStep into a mysterious world where ancient Highland fairies, both friend and foe, mingle with heroic legends from the Ossianic cycle, revealing the rich spirit, customs, and enchan…
Level C1PoetryEllen of Villenskov, and Other BalladsIn a remote forest, a yeoman builds his home despite warnings from mischievous Trolds who threaten to claim his wife.
Level C1PoetryElizabethan Sonnet Cycles: Idea, Fidesa and ChlorisFollow the devoted poet Michael Drayton as he immortalizes his unrequited love, Idea, through a passionate cycle of sonnets blending pastoral beauty, classical imagery, and heartfe…
Level C1PoetryElegy in AutumnReflect on the poignant beauty of autumn’s fading light through evocative verses that capture memory, loss, and the quiet passage of time in a deeply personal elegy.
Level C1PoetryElegies and Other Small PoemsA British maid awaits her lover's victorious return from battle, her hopes and fears echoed in heartfelt vows beneath a fading western sky.
Level C1PoetryEidolon; or, The Course of a Soul; and Other PoemsA poet isolated on a desert island wrestles with his disordered thoughts and misanthropy, seeking beauty, truth, and purpose through nature, love, and spiritual awakening on his jo…
Level C1PoetryEgyptian Literature: Comprising Egyptian tales, hymns, litanies, invocations, the Book of the Dead, and cuneiform writingsExplore ancient Egypt’s vivid world through poetry, hymns, and rituals that reveal the life, wars, beliefs, and afterlife of a civilization along the Nile, from pharaohs’ battles t…
Level C1PoetryEchoes from the Sabine FarmA playful and heartfelt journey into the paraphrased Odes of Horace, blending classical scholarship with lively wit and personal reflection.
Level C1PoetryDryden's Palamon and ArciteIn a turbulent 17th-century England, two knights, Palamon and Arcite, become rivals for the love of the same woman, setting the stage for a tale of passion, honor, and fate told th…
Level C1HistoricalDrum-TapsAmid the chaos and darkness of war, nature’s enduring beauty offers a hopeful contrast, while reflections on conflict, culture, and humanity challenge us to find faith and dignity…
Level C1PoetryDreams and Images: An Anthology of Catholic PoetsExplore a rich anthology of English Catholic poetry from the 19th century onward, capturing faith woven into love, war, and daily life.
Level C1PoetryDreamsLife waits by the sea, longing for an unknown joy until Love arrives, bringing a radiant happiness that evolves through trials into a deeper, enduring compassion.
Level C1PoetryDramatized Readings: Recitations in Poetry and Prose, Illustrated with Tableaux: Preston Library No. 1Transform poetry and prose into vivid visual stories with expert guidance on creating captivating tableaux, from detailed staging tips to costume and lighting advice, ensuring ever…
Level C1PoetryDramatic RomancesExplore the passionate and turbulent lives of Renaissance characters, where love, jealousy, and power collide amid historical intrigue.
Level C1PoetryDr. Johnson's Works: Life, Poems, and Tales, Volume 1: The Works of Samuel Johnson, LL.D., in Nine VolumesExplore a rich collection of poetry and essays that delve into human nature, morality, and society, guided by a voice renowned for its depth of thought and insight into mind and mo…
Level C1PoetryDivine SongsGentle hymns and simple verses invite children into lessons of faith and virtue, nurturing young hearts with praise, wisdom, and moral guidance.
Level C1PoetryDiscoveries Made Upon Men and Matter and Some PoemsExplore a rich collection of sharp observations on human nature, fortune, and wisdom, woven with poetic insight and timeless counsel from one of England’s most astute minds, whose…
Level C1HistoricalDiscourses on Satire and on Epic PoetryDive into a rich dialogue on the art of satire and epic poetry, where critical debates, literary aspirations, and the poet's own reflections unfold against the backdrop of 17th-cen…
Level C1PoetryDickens in CampA heartfelt poetic tribute channels the spirit of Dickens through the rugged camp life of California, blending sincere admiration with vivid imagery of the wild outdoors.
Level C1PoetryDevotional Poetry for the Children. Second PartA heartfelt collection of devotional poems invites children to explore themes of kindness, prayer, and the wonders of nature, nurturing a gentle spirit and faith through simple, in…
Level C1PoetryDerby Day in the Yukon, and Other Poems of the "Northland"Vivid poems capture the rugged spirit and wild adventures of the Yukon frontier, from thrilling Derby Day races to tales of loyalty and survival in the Northland’s harsh wilderness…
Level C1PoetryDeirdre wed and other poemsStep into ancient Ireland where Deirdre's forbidden love for Naois, one of the three sons of Usnach, unfolds through haunting voices of bards and vivid landscapes steeped in myth a…
Level C1PoetryDebris: Selections from PoemsIn a crumbling, haunted mission by the sea, a mysterious guide reveals a chilling tale of love, loss, and ghostly faces at a cursed window—where the past and present collide in sha…
Level C1PoetryDebits and creditsIn a world shaped by divine forces and cosmic struggles, the creation of Adam unfolds amid celestial commands, earthly lamentations, and the cunning of dark forces.
Level C1HistoricalDe Libris: Prose and VerseExplore the rich history and curious associations behind rare books, from Bacon’s reflections on life to the artistic legacy of Thomas Bewick, uncovering captivating stories that l…
Level C1PoetryDarkey Ways in DixieImmerse yourself in poignant and vibrant verses capturing the rhythms, struggles, and everyday life of African American communities in the South.![Cover of Danish ballads by E. M. [Translator] Smith-Dampier](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da92bfdnmvfc73bikctg.webp)
Level C1PoetryDanish balladsAncient Danish ballads come alive with metrical fidelity and rich cultural insight, revealing a world where dance and song blend communal tradition with individual genius in mediev…