Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
622 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.
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Level C2RomanceEndymion: A Poetic RomanceA young dreamer embarks on a poetic journey through lush forests and sacred altars, seeking beauty and meaning amid nature’s timeless splendor.
Level C2PoetryEnamels and Cameos and other PoemsImmerse yourself in a world where beauty and art merge in vivid, poetic visions—from marble goddesses to delicate roses and timeless love—each poem a shimmering jewel capturing pas…
Level C2PoetryEmblems of LoveAmid a starry night and looming wolf attacks, two warriors face a fierce struggle between man and beast, while love’s profound mysteries echo through poetic hymns and ancient disco…
Level C2PoetryEmbers, Volume 2.Dive into a rich tapestry of love, loss, and longing woven through lyrical poems that journey from playful springtime hunts to haunting reflections on life, death, and the eternal…
Level C2PoetryElias: An Epic of the AgesJourney through ages of divine inspiration and human endeavor as a visionary spirit, Elias, guides the epic tale of progress, prophecy, and the eternal quest for truth and restorat…
Level C2PoetryElfin land: and other poemsStep into a realm where myth and memory entwine through evocative verse, exploring enchanted landscapes, timeless heroes, and profound reflections on love, loss, and destiny.
Level C2HistoricalElene; Judith; Athelstan, or the Fight at Brunanburh; Byrhtnoth, or the Fight at Maldon; and the Dream of the Rood: Anglo-Saxon PoemsDive into heroic tales of faith, battle, and vision where empresses seek the true cross, warriors clash in fierce historic fights, and a mystical cross reveals the story of redempt…
Level C2PoetryEire, and other poemsImmerse yourself in vivid verses that evoke Ireland’s mystique, blending ancient legends, heartfelt longing, and lyrical beauty through a rich tapestry of poems and sonnets.
Level C2PoetryEighteen Hundred and ElevenAmid the thunder of war and the storm of nations, Britain faces the harsh toll of conflict, from shattered freedoms to the fading bloom of youth and beauty.
Level C2PoetryEast and West: PoemsIn a fog-shrouded seaport, thirteen children drift away on a ghostly hulk, sparking eerie legends and haunting memories.
Level C2PoetryEarly English Alliterative Poems: in the West-Midland Dialect of the Fourteenth CenturyDive into the rich world of 14th-century English poetry with alliterative verses drawn from a unique manuscript, revealing medieval tales and dialects that illuminate the knightly…
Level C2PoetryDriftingA soul drifts peacefully over Vesuvian Bay, sailing among purple peaks and crystal inlets, embraced by the tranquil harmony of sea, sky, and distant mountains where dreams and natu…
Level C2PoetryDreams and DustEvoking dreams, faith, and the vivid pulse of life, these poems journey through hope, love, and the eternal search for meaning amid the fleeting beauty and struggles of existence.
Level C2PoetryDreams and Days: PoemsA stirring collection of poems captures the vibrant pulse of youth, nature, and the struggles of life, weaving hope and truth through vivid imagery and heartfelt reflections.
Level C2PoetryDream tapestriesExplore vivid imagery and delicate emotions woven through a collection of poems that range from nature’s quiet beauty to intimate moments of memory and reflection.
Level C2PoetryDon JuanA biting poetic critique unfolds as a disillusioned narrator challenges the lofty claims of contemporary poets and political figures, setting the stage for a satirical journey thro…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through a mystical realm where souls cleanse their sins to ascend toward paradise, guided by celestial beings and illuminated by divine light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres where divine light and order shape the universe, as a soul guided by Beatrice seeks to comprehend the eternal harmony and profound mysteries o…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, HellLost in a dark forest and pursued by terrifying beasts, a man meets the ancient poet Virgil who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey into the underworld, revealing the t…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest and blocked by fearsome beasts, a troubled soul embarks on a harrowing journey guided by a revered poet through the eternal realms of the afterlife, where des…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, PurgatoryJourney through the second realm where souls purge their sins and prepare for Heaven’s ascent, guided by celestial beings and ancient wisdom.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, ParadiseJourney through the celestial spheres guided by Beatrice, as the soul ascends beyond mortal sight to witness divine order and eternal light.
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, HellLost in a dark, forbidding forest, a weary traveler encounters three terrifying beasts blocking his path and meets the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrow…
Level C2PoetryDivine Comedy, Cary's Translation, CompleteLost in a dark forest, the narrator confronts terrifying beasts blocking his path and encounters the ancient poet Virgil, who offers to guide him through a harrowing journey across…
Level C2PoetryDivine Adventures: A Book of VerseEmbark on a lyrical journey through love, nature, and myth, where poetic musings bring to life timeless tales and heartfelt reflections.
Level C2HistoricalDepartmental ditties and Ballads and Barrack-room balladsExplore the ironies and intrigues of colonial life through sharp, satirical verse that reveals the timeless struggles of ambition, favoritism, and bureaucracy within the British Em…
Level C2PoetryDemocritus PlatonissansDive into a profound poetic exploration where faith and reason intertwine, as the soul's immortality and the divine nature of existence are passionately debated and celebrated thro…
Level C2PoetryDays and Dreams: PoemsImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey of longing, conversation, and song, where voices intertwine in a poetic dance of dreams and reflections across time and mood.
Level C2PoetryDark of the MoonExplore a luminous collection of poems that capture the shifting moods of nature, seasons, and the human heart, from starlit nights to autumnal reflections and midsummer dreams.
Level C2PoetryCottage PoemsA humble poet’s rustic muse paints simple, heartfelt scenes of nature, faith, and human struggles, weaving meditations on life’s storms and heavenly hope.
Level C2PoetryCosmosJourney through the ages as humanity grapples with the mysteries of life, death, and the cosmos, challenging old creeds and seeking truth beyond superstition and science.
Level C2PoetryConnected PoemsExplore a series of interconnected poems that delve into idealized societies and celestial virtues, inspired by philosophical reflections on humanity, friendship, and divine love.
Level C2PoetryConfessio Amantis; Or, Tales of the Seven Deadly SinsExplore a medieval world where love battles the seven deadly sins amid shifting fortunes, justice, and discord.
Level C2PoetryColorExplore a profound collection of poems that delve into identity, love, struggle, and heritage, capturing the vibrant spectrum of human experience through powerful, evocative verse.
Level C2PoetryCollected Poems 1897 - 1907, by Henry NewboltVividly evoking naval valor and historic battles, these stirring poems celebrate England’s seafaring heroes—from Drake’s drum to Nelson’s daring—immersing readers in tales of coura…
Level C2HistoricalCodex Junius 11Angelic hosts once basking in celestial bliss face rebellion and exile, as divine justice casts down prideful spirits into eternal torment.
Level C2PoetryClear CrystalsDelve into a collection of finely crafted poems that reflect a rich tapestry of emotions and moments, each piece shimmering like a clear crystal in the light of human experience.
Level C2PoetryClaudian, volume 2 (of 2): With an English translation by Maurice PlatnauerAmidst a world shaped by Love and Good Faith, a noble warrior balances power and mercy, guiding an empire through loyalty, justice, and the sacred duties of leadership.
Level C2HistoricalClassical Enigmas, Adapted to Every Month in the Year: Composed from the English and Roman Histories, Heathen Mythology and Names of Famous Writers: Meant to Amuse Youths of All Ages, and at the Same Time Exert Their Memories, by Calling to Mind What They Have Read at Different TimesChallenge your memory and wit with enigmas drawn from English and Roman histories, mythology, and famous writers, each tailored to a different month of the year to entertain and ed…
Level C2PoetryChristmas EveOn a stormy Christmas Eve, a reluctant stranger braves a crowded chapel filled with society’s outcasts, confronting cold stares and warm humanity alike as he seeks meaning amid the…
Level C2HistoricalChoyce Drollery: Songs and Sonnets: Being a Collection of Divers Excellent Pieces of Poetry, of Several Eminent Authors.Amidst the turmoil of the English Commonwealth, a rare collection of songs and sonnets offers a secret glimpse into royalist hopes and pastoral dreams, treasured and hunted in equa…
Level C2PoetryChinese literatureJourney through ancient Chinese wisdom with the teachings of Confucius, the poetic odes of the Shi-King, and the epic travels of Fâ-hien, revealing a rich tapestry of philosophy, h…
Level C2PoetryChildren of the NightExplore the haunting reflections of those lost in darkness, wrestling with fate, faith, and the search for meaning amid sorrow and hope.
Level C2PoetryChilde Harold's PilgrimageA disillusioned young noble, wearied by riotous pleasures and hollow admiration, embarks on a soul-searching journey beyond his homeland, seeking meaning in distant lands and refle…
Level C2PoetryChild Maidelvold, and Other BalladsIn a world of royal secrets and forbidden love, Sidselil’s heart is ensnared by Child Maidelvold, sparking a desperate flight through dark forests and painful truths.
Level C2PoetryChaucerian and Other Pieces: Being a Supplement to the Complete Works of Geoffrey ChaucerExplore a fascinating supplement to Chaucer's works, featuring a curated selection of poems attributed to Chaucer and his contemporaries, complete with scholarly notes and historic…
Level C2PoetryChaucer's Works, Volume 6 — Introduction, Glossary, and IndexesDive into the rich world of Middle English with detailed introductions, extensive glossaries, and precise indexes that illuminate Geoffrey Chaucer’s authentic works, separating gen…
Level C2PoetryChaucer's Works, Volume 3 — The House of Fame; The Legend of Good Women; The Treatise on the Astrolabe; The Sources of the Canterbury TalesJourney through a visionary realm where an eagle guides the poet into the mysterious House of Fame, exploring themes of love, myth, and celestial knowledge.