Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
618 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.
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Level C2PoetryThe Temple of GlassHaunted by sorrow, a weary soul drifts into a mysterious glass temple filled with vivid paintings of legendary lovers and tragic tales, inviting a journey through timeless stories…
Level C2PoetryThe Talisman, from the Russian of Alexander Pushkin; With Other PiecesIn a world of mystic forces and haunting beauty, a sorceress gifts a powerful talisman to a young man, promising protection against deceit and danger.
Level C2PoetryThe Tales and Novels, v9: Belphegor and OthersIn a cunning blend of hellish intrigue and earthly desire, a demon named Belphegor ventures to Florence to unravel the secrets—and scandals—of human marriage, wielding charm, decep…
Level C2PoetryThe Tale of the ArgonautsHeroes unite aboard the Argo, embarking on a perilous quest for the Golden Fleece that pits them against treacherous seas, divine plots, and legendary foes.
Level C2PoetryThe Tale of BalenIn the vibrant bloom of spring, a noble northern knight rides into Camelot, his spirit bright yet shadowed by looming doom.
Level C2PoetryThe Sunlit HoursImmerse yourself in a luminous garden where love blooms like radiant flowers, capturing moments of joy, faith, and soul-deep connection beneath sunlit skies.
Level C2PoetryThe Story of Justin Martyr, and Other PoemsExplore a collection of reflective and spiritual poems that delve into themes of faith, struggle, and redemption, capturing moments of inner turmoil and transcendence through evoca…
Level C2PoetryThe SonnetsExplore timeless themes of beauty, love, and mortality through a series of intimate sonnets that urge the preservation of youth and legacy against the ravages of time.
Level C2PoetryThe Songs of RanildAmidst knights dancing to celebrate a hard-won castle, Ranild Lang’s tale unfolds—a saga of loyalty, love, exile, and betrayal set against the backdrop of King Erik Erikson’s reign…
Level C2PoetryThe Song of the Sword, and Other VersesSteel sings its ancient song of honor and destiny, calling heroes to battle and glory in a fierce dance of war and will.
Level C2PoetryThe Song of Deirdra, King Byrge and his Brothers, and Other BalladsDive into tales of fierce loyalty, secret love, and daring feats as noble warriors and lovers navigate the wild landscapes and turbulent seas, where honor and danger intertwine in…
Level C2PoetryThe Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata): Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of KrishnaAmid the looming battle of Kurukshetra, Prince Arjuna faces a profound moral crisis, prompting a divine discourse with Krishna on duty, righteousness, and the path to spiritual wis…
Level C2PoetryThe Snowflake, and Other PoemsDelve into a collection of evocative quatrains that weave delicate imagery and thoughtful reflections, inviting readers to experience the subtle beauty and quiet moments captured i…
Level C2PoetryThe Sisters' Tragedy, with Other Poems, Lyrical and DramaticTwo sisters in 1670 share a profound, hidden grief over the same man’s death, revealing a quiet, tragic love that binds them in sorrow.
Level C2PoetryThe Shepheard's Calender: Twelve Aeglogues Proportionable to the Twelve MonethesJourney through a year of rustic life with pastoral poems that weave ancient language and timeless wisdom into tales of love, nature, and the seasons.
Level C2PoetryThe Shadow-EaterA defiant soul confronts inner demons and unyielding fate with fierce will and raw pain, transforming suffering into a relentless quest for eternity amid the shadows of self and ci…
Level C2PoetryThe Seven SeasExplore the vastness of the seas through stirring verses that chart the spirit of English maritime life, from bustling ports to the call of the ocean’s depths, capturing the enduri…
Level C2PoetryThe Serpent Knight, and Other BalladsEnchanting ballads weave tales of brave knights, mystical creatures, and fateful dances with elfin queens, blending romance and magic in a world where curses and secret identities…
Level C2PoetryThe Secrets of the Self (Asrar-i Khudi) — A Philosophical PoemA passionate call to embrace selfhood and individuality, this philosophical poem weaves Islamic spirituality with Western philosophy, urging Muslims to awaken, strengthen their ide…
Level C2PoetryThe Secret WayExplore hidden realms beyond ordinary thought through evocative poems and reflections that reveal mysterious, higher conditions of existence and the secret paths of the soul’s jour…
Level C2PoetryThe Scribleriad, and The Difference Between Verbal and Practical VirtueDive into a sharp poetic battle of wit and satire where literary rivals expose the clash between true virtue and false pretense.
Level C2PoetryThe Rāmāyana, Volume 1. Bālakāndam and AyodhyākāndamIn a kingdom alive with joy, the noble prince Rāma faces exile into the forest, where love, loyalty, and righteousness are tested against the shadow of evil embodied by the fearsom…
Level C2PoetryThe Rubáiyát of BridgeDive into a whimsical poetic journey through the thrills and frustrations of bridge, where strategy, chance, and camaraderie collide in a dance of cards and human folly.
Level C2HistoricalThe Roman Poets of the Republic, 2nd editionExplore the rich legacy and evolving reputation of Roman poetry through an in-depth study of its key poets and their enduring influence on literature, education, and culture from a…
Level C2PoetryThe Rolliad, in Two Parts: Probationary Odes for the Laureatship & Political EcloguesDive into sharp political satire and witty poetic critiques that unravel the intrigues of public figures and the nuances of power, blending humor with pointed commentary on contemp…
Level C2PoetryThe Rime of the Ancient MarinerAn ancient mariner halts a wedding guest to recount a haunting sea voyage where a mysterious albatross appears, a reckless act brings a cursed stillness, and a spectral ship looms…
Level C2PoetryThe Return of the Dead, and Other BalladsGhostly visits and haunting regrets echo through these ballads, where love, loss, and restless spirits collide in haunting verse that stirs the soul and beckons the dead to return…
Level C2FantasyThe RavenOn a bleak December night, a weary man mourning his lost love encounters a mysterious raven that utters only one haunting word: "Nevermore.
Level C2PoetryThe Purple Cow!Whimsical and imaginative poems invite readers into a world where giant chewing-gum men come to life and purple cows make their bow, blending humor, fantasy, and clever wordplay in…
Level C2PoetryThe PrincessAmid a lively summer gathering on a grand estate, tales of noble knights and a fierce warrior woman inspire a young girl’s bold dream to build a college for women, challenging conv…
Level C2HistoricalThe Preface to the Aeneis of Virgil (1718)Step into the world of early 18th-century literary and political intrigue through a scholarly preface that intertwines Virgil's epic with the era's cultural and religious debates,…
Level C2PoetryThe Preface to Aristotle's Art of PoetryExplore the lively debate on tragedy, the role of the chorus, and poetic rules shaped by 17th-century critics who grapple with Aristotle's Poetics, blending moral instruction with…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetics of AristotleExplore the nature and forms of poetry, from epic to tragedy and comedy, as it imitates human action and character through rhythm, language, and harmony, revealing the art behind s…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 8 (of 8)Explore the rich world of poetry through meticulous research and editorial care, revealing the intricate connections and inspirations behind Wordsworth's verses.
Level C2HistoricalThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 7 (of 8)Explore the rich history of the English Church through a series of deeply reflective sonnets written during a time of religious and political change.
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 6 (of 8)Dive into profound meditations on love, loss, and the eternal order through a collection of poems rooted in antiquity and imagination, where passions clash with fate and the human…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 3 (of 8)Experience the vivid reflections and intimate emotions behind timeless poems like "I wandered lonely as a cloud" and "She was a Phantom of delight," crafted during a pivotal year o…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 2 (of 8)A rugged tale unfolds as Peter Bell, a determined yet troubled man, embarks on a journey through wild landscapes with his steadfast companion, an ass, confronting the raw challenge…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of William Wordsworth — Volume 1 (of 8)Explore the serene landscapes and profound reflections that inspire an intimate journey through nature and imagination, where every verse reveals the delicate balance between the e…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Robert Bridges, Excluding the Eight DramasDefying Zeus, Prometheus descends to Argos to gift fire to humanity, sparking hope and rebellion against divine tyranny.
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 12: Verses from the Oldest PortfolioDelve into youthful poetic attempts that reveal early sparks of genius amid imitative mediocrity, capturing mythic tempests and nature’s lament with vivid imagery and heartfelt emo…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 11: Poems from the Teacups SeriesDive into vivid, whimsical poems that explore love, life, and mysticism through enchanting imagery—from enchanted roses and youthful passion to witchy escapades and secret truths w…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 10: Before the CurfewAt a storied Boston gathering place, memories and ghosts of celebrated poets and thinkers come alive in vivid, dreamlike scenes, blending history, friendship, and the power of art…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 09: The Iron Gate and Other PoemsStep through the iron gate of time and reflect on the passage of life, as poetic musings explore aging, memory, and the quiet strength found in twilight years.
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 06: Poems from the Breakfast Table SeriesDive into a collection of reflective and vivid poems that explore life's seasons, dreams, and the soul's journey, from the enchanting voyage of the chambered nautilus to the sunlit…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 04: Songs in Many KeysAmidst the echoes of a bygone New England, a stately mansion conceals a timeless romance between Sir Harry Frankland and Agnes Surriage, where love and fate intertwine against the…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 01: Earlier Poems (1830-1836)Experience the heartfelt reflections and patriotic fervor of early 19th-century America through a collection of stirring poems that capture moments of history, personal memory, and…
Level C2PoetryThe Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — CompleteExplore a rich collection of poems spanning decades, from vivid reflections on nature and society to witty and heartfelt musings on daily life and historical events.