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 C1PoetryAesthetic PoetryExplore a realm where poetry transcends time, blending medieval mysticism and romantic passion into an ethereal "earthly paradise.
Level C1PoetryAesop Dress'd; Or, A Collection of Fables Writ in Familiar VerseDiscover timeless morals and witty lessons through familiar animal fables transformed into graceful, accessible verse that invites reflection and delight.
Level C1PoetryAdventures While Preaching the Gospel of BeautyEmbark on a whimsical journey across the American Midwest with a poet who walks from town to town, sharing his vibrant Gospel of Beauty and trading rhymes for bread, encountering c…
Level C1PoetryAdonaisAn elegy steeped in classical form and personal grief, this poem mourns the untimely death of a beloved poet, blending biographical reflection with soaring sentiment to explore los…
Level C1PoetryActions and reactionsA man forced into rest by illness escapes to the quiet English countryside with his wife, seeking solace from his shattered ambitions and the relentless pace of business.
Level C1PoetryA vision of lifeDive into a collection of richly woven poems that revive the intricate beauty and spirit of the Elizabethan era, blending complexity with heartfelt dedication and a fresh poetic re…
Level C1PoetryA spray of lilac, and other poems and songsDelve into a heartfelt collection of poems and songs, each offering a glimpse into a decade of reflections shared across beloved periodicals.
Level C1PoetryA silver poolDive into a collection of evocative poems that explore love, longing, and the delicate beauty of fleeting moments, weaving emotions into vivid imagery and timeless reflection.
Level C1PoetryA new selection of miscellaneous pieces, in verseExperience the heartfelt verses of a blind poet reflecting on the trials, gratitude, and quiet joys of her solitary life in early 19th-century Scotland, offering a personal glimpse…
Level C1PoetryA little child's wreathA tender collection of sonnets unfolds the profound grief and abiding love of a mother mourning her beloved young nephew.
Level C1PoetryA line-o'-verse or twoDive into whimsical verses where an anchorite’s fierce self-discipline clashes with a mystical book’s bold claim that pain is merely a state of mind, blending humor, faith, and iro…
Level C1PoetryA day with the poet BurnsFollow the rugged ploughman-poet through the Scottish countryside as he wrestles with bitter memories, finds solace in nature’s harsh beauty, and lets his spontaneous songs capture…
Level C1PoetryA Wreath of Virginia Bay Leaves: Poems of James Barron HopeImmerse yourself in the stirring verse of a devoted Virginian whose poetry captures the spirit of his homeland and honors its historic heroes.
Level C1PoetryA Voice on the Wind, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid poems that bring to life the whispers of nature—from crickets and owls to summer noontides and autumn woods—capturing the soulful beauty and quiet drama o…
Level C1PoetryA Vers de Société AnthologyDelve into a refined collection of light, graceful poetry that captures the wit and elegance of polished society.
Level C1PoetryA Treasury of Canadian Verse, with Brief Biographical NotesDiscover the rich tapestry of English-Canadian poetry that captures the vivid landscapes, seasons, and spirit of Canada, reflecting universal emotions and aspirations through natur…
Level C1PoetryA Study of PoetryExplore the transformative power of poetry as it turns everyday moments into symbols of hope and resurrection, unveiling how verse elevates human experience from sorrow to ecstatic…
Level C1PoetryA Spray of Kentucky Pine: Placed at the Feet of the Dead Poet James Whitcomb RileyA heartfelt tribute intertwining the legacy of the beloved poet James Whitcomb Riley with personal reflections and memories, this collection honors both the dead and the living thr…
Level C1PoetryA Song of the Open Road, and Other VersesExplore the sharp wit and poignant reflections of an Irish poet navigating identity, art, and internationalism amid the turbulent backdrop of early 20th-century London and war, cap…
Level C1HistoricalA Song of the GunsAmidst the relentless thunder of artillery in the trenches of World War I, soldiers become both masters and slaves to their guns, navigating the brutal realities of war through the…
Level C1PoetryA Shropshire LadAmid the tranquil landscapes of Shropshire, vivid poems explore the bittersweet realities of youth, friendship, and loss, capturing life’s contrasts with lyrical simplicity and an…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Works of Frederick LockerDiscover a rich collection of poetic reflections and whimsical tales, from heartfelt invitations to meditations on time and memory, all vividly brought to life with charming illust…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Poems of William MorrisExplore the vivid world of medieval lore and artistic passion through poems that reflect the spirit of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and a unique poetic vision shaped by friendshi…
Level C1PoetryA Season at Harrogate: In a Series of Poetical Epistles, from Benjamin Blunderhead, Esquire, to His Mother, in Derbyshire. With Useful and Copious Notes, Descriptive of the Objects Most Worthy of Attention in the Vicinity of HarrogateFollow Benjamin Blunderhead’s witty and poetic letters as he explores the famed waters and curious company of Harrogate, blending satire and local color in a lively account of a di…
Level C1PoetryA Satire AnthologyExplore a rich collection of sharp, witty poems that dissect society, politics, and human nature with humor and irony.
Level C1PoetryA Poetical Review of the Literary and Moral Character of the late Samuel Johnson (1786)Explore a lively poetic tribute that delves into the literary and moral character of Samuel Johnson, revealing the vibrant eighteenth-century world of wit, friendship, and controve…
Level C1PoetryA Poem to the Memory of our late lamented Queen Caroline of EnglandA stirring poetic tribute captures the trials and tribulations of Queen Caroline, exposing court intrigues, corruption, and the call for reform in England.
Level C1PoetryA Pindarick Ode on Painting: Addressed to Joshua Reynolds, Esq.Explore a richly varied ode that celebrates painting through shifting rhythms and inventive rhyme, addressing artistic ideals and critiques in a witty, learned tribute to Joshua Re…
Level C1PoetryA Phenomenal FaunaWhimsical verses introduce a parade of fanciful creatures—from the lively Reg'lar Lark to the mysterious Iron Spider—each blending humor, satire, and imagination in a playful explo…
Level C1PoetryA Parody AnthologyA witty collection celebrates the art of parody, blending sharp humor with refined taste to cleverly mimic and amuse.
Level C1PoetryA Masque of Days: From the Last Essays of Elia: Newly Dressed & DecoratedStep into a whimsical banquet where every day of the year gathers to celebrate the passing of time, from festive holidays to rainy afternoons, each with its own character and story…
Level C1PoetryA Lowden Sabbath MornExperience a tranquil Scottish Sabbath morning through vivid poetry and heartfelt reflection, capturing the spirit of rural parish life and the timeless presence of its ministers a…
Level C1PoetryA Lover's Diary, Volume 1.A young man’s soul unravels through sonnets of love, doubt, and self-discovery, revealing a tender journey from innocence to poignant parting.
Level C1RomanceA Lover's Diary, CompleteA young mind wrestles with love, doubt, and societal conventions, revealing a soul transformed by passion and self-renunciation.
Level C1PoetryA Little WindowExplore a collection of evocative verses that peer through a "little window" onto nature’s beauty, serene moments, and heartfelt reflections, inviting readers to find joy and meani…
Level C1PoetryA Little Book of Western VerseExplore heartfelt reflections and tender memories woven through evocative poetry that honors love, loss, and the enduring bonds of family.
Level C1PoetryA Legend of Old Persia and Other PoemsIn an ancient Persian land of endless summers, a young lord faces a haunting tradition as he carries his frail father to mysterious caverns, uncovering secrets that challenge custo…
Level C1PoetryA Legend of Goat IslandAmidst the roaring waters at Niagara Falls, a priest’s sacred mission challenges ancient superstitions on Goat Island, inspiring warriors to embrace a new faith.
Level C1PoetryA Leaf from the Old ForestJourney into the heart of the Old Forest, where nature’s beauty and timeless friendships intertwine through poetic reflections on life, loss, and the enduring spirit of art and mem…
Level C1HistoricalA Key to Lord Tennyson's 'In Memoriam'Explore the profound grief and consolation woven through a journey to the quiet English villages that shaped a timeless tribute to loss and hope.
Level C1PoetryA Jar of Honey from Mount HyblaDelight in a festive blend of poetry, piety, revelry, and storytelling inspired by old and new Christmas traditions.
Level C1PoetryA Household Book of English Poetry: Selected and Arranged with NotesExplore a curated selection of English poetry, blending familiar favorites with rare gems drawn from deep literary archives.
Level C1PoetryA Hidden Life and Other PoemsA young farmer embraces the pride and promise of his ancestral land, discovering the profound beauty in simple toil and the cycles of life and death beneath the sunlit fields.
Level C1PoetryA Hermit of Carmel, and Other PoemsIn a rugged wilderness where faith battles doubt, a weary hermit and a young knight cross paths, each seeking solace and redemption amid spiritual trials and looming dangers.
Level C1PoetryA Handy Guide for Beggars: Especially Those of the Poetic Fraternity: Being Sundry Explorations, Made While Afoot and Penniless in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. These Adventures Convey and Illustrate the Rules of Beggary for Poets and Some Others.Journey through the American South as a penniless poet, relying on wit, verse, and the kindness of strangers while living by a unique code of beggary.
Level C1PoetryA Golfing Idyll; Or, The Skipper's Round with the Deil On the Links of St. AndrewsOn the storied links of St Andrews, an old caddie known as the Skipper recounts a vivid, animated tale of an extraordinary encounter with the Devil himself, blending rugged Scottis…
Level C1PoetryA Few Figs from ThistlesFiery and rebellious poems ignite passionate defiance and delicate introspection, weaving vivid images of love, life, and identity with sharp wit and lyrical grace.
Level C1PoetryA Fable for CriticsDive into a witty poetic medley that playfully critiques and celebrates contemporary poets with sharp humor and lively rhythm, offering a unique glimpse into the literary scene thr…