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 C1PoetryAurora LeighA passionate poet reflects on life, art, and society through intimate letters and verse, unveiling the struggles and aspirations of a woman navigating Victorian England’s literary…
Level C1PoetryAuld Lang Syne: Selections from the Papers of the "Pen and Pencil Club"Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of heartfelt poetry exploring the human soul, love, faith, and the delicate interplay of light and shadow, as voices from the Pen and Pencil Clu…
Level C1RomanceAucassin and NicoletteIn a medieval tale blending prose and verse, forbidden love unfolds between Aucassin and Nicolette amidst cultural clashes and enchanting adventures, inviting readers into a tender…
Level C1RomanceAucassin and NicoleteIn a unique blend of prose and verse, a Christened knight and a captive lady defy faith and fortune in a tender, humorous tale of love’s trials and joys.
Level C1PoetryAt Sundown, and other poems: Part 5 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore a collection of evocative poems blending nature’s quiet moments with stirring reflections on history, faith, and human resilience, capturing the spirit of winter’s hush, th…
Level C1PoetryAt Minas Basin, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid landscapes and timeless legends from the Basin of Minas, where nature’s beauty and myth intertwine through evocative poetry that captures the spirit of se…
Level C1HistoricalAstronomical Lore in ChaucerExplore the medieval world where celestial movements govern daily life and fate, intertwining astronomy and astrology in poetry.![Cover of As Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and Poem by G. Thompson [Editor] Hutchinson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8pd0lnmvfc73bifsd0.webp)
Level C1PoetryAs Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and PoemJourney through the year with vivid poems and pictures that celebrate the changing seasons, from the frozen stillness of January to the blooming promise of spring and the golden ha…
Level C1RomanceArthur: A Short Sketch of His Life and History in English Verse of the First Half of the Fifteenth CenturyWitness the rise of a noble king who forges the legendary Round Table, conquers distant lands, and faces betrayal in a tale woven from early English verse that unveils Arthur’s val…
Level C1PoetryArmenian Literature: Comprising Poetry, Drama, Folk-lore and Classic Traditions;Explore the rich tapestry of ancient Armenian life through its surviving poetry, drama, and folklore, revealing a culture shaped by early Christianity, heroic legends, and the ming…
Level C1PoetryArmazindy: The Poems and Prose Sketches of James Whitcomb RileyTwo young editors preparing their school paper encounter a mysterious, refined old printer who claims to know Charles Dickens and insists on writing through the night, inspired by…
Level C1HistoricalAre these Things So? (1740) The Great Man's Answer to Are These things So: (1740)A fierce pamphlet war erupts in 1740, with anonymous verse and sharp political attacks targeting Robert Walpole's ministry.
Level C1HistoricalAntimachus of Colophon and the Position of Women in Greek Poetry: A fragment printed for the use of scholarsExplore the transformation in Greek poetry’s portrayal of love and women, tracing the shift from male-male affection in early works to the romantic ideal of male-female love in Ale…
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 3.: Part 3 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmidst the silent city of Derne, Christian slaves endure captivity while a daring rescue unfolds, revealing the fierce struggle for freedom and the profound sacrifices made in the…
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 1.: Part 1 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPowerful poems give voice to the fight against slavery and oppression, celebrating heroes like William Lloyd Garrison and Toussaint L’Ouverture while stirring the conscience with v…
Level C1HistoricalAnna Seward, and Classic LichfieldExplore the life and legacy of Anna Seward, England’s celebrated 18th-century poetess, as her story intertwines with the historic city of Lichfield and its rich literary and eccles…
Level C1PoetryAnimal Analogues: Verses and IllustrationsWhimsical verses playfully compare animals and plants through clever wordplay and charming illustrations, inviting readers to explore nature’s quirky connections with humor and ima…
Level C1PoetryAndreas: The Legend of St. AndrewA devout churchman’s epic unfolds the legendary journey of St.
Level C1PoetryAncient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of EnglandDiscover the heartfelt poems, ballads, and songs passed down through generations of English peasants, capturing their joys, struggles, and traditions through oral tales and rare ma…
Level C1PoetryAncient Nahuatl Poetry, Containing the Nahuatl Text of XXVII Ancient Mexican Poems: Brinton's Library of Aboriginal American Literature Number VII.Delve into the rich world of ancient Nahuatl poetry, where sacred songs and vibrant dances reveal the passionate cultural heritage of the Nahuas, their artistic devotion, and the e…
Level C1PoetryAncient Ballads and Legends of HindustanImmerse yourself in the mystical world of ancient Indian songs and legends, reimagined in exquisite English verse by a gifted young poetess whose life bridged the rich cultures of…
Level C1HistoricalAn odeCelebrate the rich history and spirit of Boston through a stirring poem delivered at the city's centennial, capturing the pride and perseverance of its people on a landmark Septemb…
Level C1PoetryAn elegy written among the ruins of an abbeyAmid the silent ruins of an ancient abbey, mourn the passage of time and the fading echoes of faith in a poignant, reflective elegy that captures loss and memory in haunting verse.
Level C1HistoricalAn Old Man's PrayerAn intimate tale unfolds through the heartfelt reflections of an old man, capturing the quiet moments and enduring bonds of New England life with poignant simplicity and grace.
Level C1PoetryAn Old Babylonian Version of the Gilgamesh EpicJourney alongside the hero Gilgamesh as he grapples with grief and the search for immortality, confronting the harsh truth that death is humanity's inescapable fate, framed by anci…
Level C1PoetryAn Irish Crazy-Quilt: Smiles and tears, woven into song and storyFive drummers in Dublin hatch a mischievous plan to challenge the fiery new magistrate, Major Boomerang, whose tales of tiger hunts and harsh rule promise a clash of wit and will o…
Level C1PoetryAn Introduction to the Study of Robert Browning's PoetryExplore the intricate world of poetic psychology through detailed analysis of dramatic monologues and linguistic nuances, revealing the complex genius behind the soul’s deepest exp…
Level C1PoetryAn Introduction to the Study of BrowningExplore the multifaceted genius of Robert Browning, whose poetry blends drama, philosophy, humor, and lyricism into a vast, passionate vision.
Level C1PoetryAn Heroic Epistle to the Right Honourable the Lord Craven (3rd Ed.)A satirical poetic letter unfolds around Lord Craven’s commanding presence and a notable legal dispute, revealing sharp wit and social commentary in 18th-century England’s politica…
Level C1HistoricalAn Essay on the Lyric Poetry of the AncientsExplore the origins of lyric poetry through a neoclassical lens, tracing its roots in imagination, pastoral scenes, and ancient myth-making, while revealing its role in civilizatio…
Level C1PoetryAn Essay on War, in Blank Verse; Honington Green, a Ballad; the Culprit, an Elegy; and Other Poems, on Various SubjectsExplore the life of Nathaniel Bloomfield, a humble apprentice turned devoted family man, whose poetic reflections intertwine faith, resilience, and the quiet dignity of everyday st…
Level C1PoetryAn Essay on Man; Moral Essays and SatiresExplore profound questions about human nature, divine justice, and the harmony of the universe through poetic reflections that challenge skepticism and seek to "vindicate the ways…
Level C1PoetryAn Essay on CriticismExplore the delicate balance between true genius and flawed judgment in poetry and criticism, as verse unravels the rare art of discerning wit from folly and the perils of misguide…
Level C1PoetryAn Elegy Wrote in a Country Church Yard (1751) and The Eton College ManuscriptAs dusk settles over a quiet country churchyard, reflections on life, death, and unrecognized virtue unfold with calm dignity and universal resonance, inviting readers to ponder th…
Level C1PoetryAn Anthology of Jugoslav Poetry; Serbian LyricsDiscover the rich tapestry of Serbian rural life through heartfelt folk songs revealing love, loss, celebration, and ancient customs.
Level C1PoetryAn Anthology of Australian VerseExplore a vivid collection of short poems capturing the spirit, landscapes, and life of Australia and New Zealand, arranged chronologically and enriched with biographical notes on…
Level C1PoetryAn Alphabet of CelebritiesDiscover a whimsical journey through an alphabet of notable figures, each letter bringing to life a playful portrait and verse that celebrate the charm and quirks of celebrities in…
Level C1HistoricalAn Address, Delivered Before the Was-ah Ho-de-no-son-ne or New Confederacy of the Iroquois: Also, Genundewah, a PoemIn a gathering inspired by the ancient Iroquois confederacy, a new brotherhood of letters unites to cultivate history, science, and literature rooted in American soil, aiming to fo…
Level C1PoetryAn Address to a Wealthy Libertine: or, the Melancholy Effects of Seduction; with a Letter from an Unfortunate Farmer's Daughter, to her Parents in NorfolkA wealthy libertine’s reckless seduction leaves a once-happy woman shattered, her family torn by disgrace and sorrow.
Level C1PoetryAmusing Trial in which a Yankee Lawyer Renders a Just VerdictIn a gripping poetic trial, a clever Yankee lawyer confronts the harsh realities of slavery, weaving justice and mercy into a powerful verdict that challenges cruelty and champions…
Level C1PoetryAmong the Hills, and other poems: Part 5 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierBask in the serene beauty of rural life and the quiet dignity of honest toil, as vivid scenes of nature and homestead struggles unfold in poetic reflections on love, labor, and the…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican War Ballads and Lyrics, Volume 2 (of 2): A Collection of the Songs and Ballads of the Colonial Wars, the Revolutions, the War of 1812-15, the War with Mexico and the Civil WarExplore the stirring songs and ballads that capture the spirit and strife of America’s wars, from colonial battles to the Civil War, revealing the voices of soldiers and citizens t…
Level C1HistoricalAmerican War Ballads and Lyrics, Volume 1 (of 2): A Collection of the Songs and Ballads of the Colonial Wars, the Revolutions, the War of 1812-15, the War with Mexico and the Civil WarDive into a stirring collection of American war ballads spanning from colonial conflicts to the Civil War, capturing the spirit, sentiments, and voices of soldiers and patriots thr…
Level C1PoetryAlong the ShoreImmerse yourself in a world where the changing shore mirrors the shifting moods of life, blending nature’s beauty with profound reflections on love, time, and the human spirit thro…
Level C1AdventureAll the World Over: Interesting Stories of Travel, Thrilling Adventure and Home LifeJourney through vibrant Spanish cities alive with colorful characters—from muscular beggars with secret codes to dancers and musicians who bring the streets to life.
Level C1HistoricalAlhalla, or the Lord of Talladega: A Tale of the Creek War.: With Some Selected Miscellanies, Chiefly of Early Date.Amid the turbulent aftermath of the Creek War, a fierce Native American leader grapples with loyalty, power, and survival as his people face relentless conflict and cultural upheav…
Level C1AdventureAlf the Freebooter, Little Danneved and Swayne Trost, and Other BalladsA daring pirate known as Sir Alf commands the seas, capturing ships and challenging kings, while facing capture and royal wrath in a tale of adventure, honor, and redemption.
Level C1PoetryAladdin or The Wonderful LampStep into a world of colorful wonder and magic where a mysterious lamp holds secrets beyond imagination, enchanting children with tales as vivid as the finest illustrated alphabets…