Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
1,684 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 The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feast, The Bustān of Sadi and The Bush Fire, and Other Verses. 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.
- 1,684
- books
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 1Ancient myths come alive as Prometheus defies Zeus to gift fire to humanity, sparking divine conflict and prophecy.
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Matthew ArnoldIn a world where ancient heroes and gods shape destiny, a hidden prince returns to reclaim his murdered father's throne, navigating betrayal and vengeance amid the shifting tides o…
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Johnson, Parnell, Gray, and Smollett: With Memoirs, Critical Dissertations, and Explanatory NotesDive into the rich tapestry of 18th-century poetry and lives, featuring vivid odes, satirical verses, and intimate memoirs that illuminate the genius and struggles of Samuel Johnso…
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Edmund Waller and Sir John DenhamDive into the life of a poet caught between artistry and political intrigue, whose verses and schemes nearly led him to the gallows.
Level C1PoetryPoetical WorksExplore the turbulent life and sharp wit of a gifted poet whose satirical verse challenges the literary and political scenes of 18th-century England, revealing a complex blend of g…![Cover of Poetical Ingenuities and Eccentricities by William T. [Editor] Dobson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8c4csv7nos73d6qitg.webp)
Level C1PoetryPoetical Ingenuities and EccentricitiesDive into a whimsical collection where poetry meets parody, blending humor with clever homage to classic verse.
Level C1PoetryPoetic Sketches: A Collection of Miscellaneous PoetryExplore a diverse collection of poems that blend scholarly insight and heartfelt expression, offering thoughtful reflections and vivid imagery dedicated to a distinguished statesma…
Level C1PoetryPoems: With a Sketch of the Life and Experience of Annie R. SmithExplore heartfelt reflections on faith, love, and spiritual struggle through poetry that reveals the intimate battles of the soul and the hope found in divine grace and compassion.
Level C1PoetryPoems: With Introduction and NotesDelve into a vivid collection of poems exploring love, nature, inner life, and haunting narratives, where raw emotion and profound reflection emerge through unadorned, literal tran…
Level C1HistoricalPoems: Patriotic, Religious, MiscellaneousExplore heartfelt verses that intertwine devotion, Southern pride, and reflection, revealing a soul torn between faith and allegiance during a tumultuous era.
Level C2PoetryPoems: Pastoral and PsalmExplore a collection of reflective poems blending pastoral beauty with spiritual psalms, inviting readers into themes of nature, faith, struggle, and hope through serene and contem…
Level C1PoetryPoems: New and OldExplore a rich collection of verse that captures the spirit of the sea, heroic battles, and timeless memories through stirring poems dedicated to naval life, valor, and the endurin…
Level C2PoetryPoems: Containing The Restropect, Odes, Elegies, Sonnets, &c.Explore a rich tapestry of poetic forms—from elegies and sonnets to odes and romances—each reflecting on themes of decay, reflection, and ancient legends, inviting readers to ponde…
Level C2PoetryPoems, with The Ballad of Reading GaolDive into a rich collection of evocative poems exploring passion, liberty, and empire, culminating in the haunting "Ballad of Reading Gaol," a profound reflection on justice and hu…
Level C1PoetryPoems, translated and originalExplore a rich tapestry of translated and original poems that evoke history, nature, and poignant human emotions, including a tragic Venetian drama inspired by true events and clas…
Level A2PoetryPoems, Vol. IVExplore a vibrant collection of poems that blend heartfelt sentiment, playful humor, and hopeful spirit, capturing moments from everyday life to nature’s beauty with rhythm and war…
Level C2PoetryPoems, Scots and EnglishExplore a rich tapestry of verse blending the vernacular Scots of the Lowlands with English poetry, capturing voices from hill country tales to wartime reflections, all steeped in…
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1916-1918Immerse yourself in a collection of vivid poems exploring love, nature, and the human spirit amid the shadows of war.
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1914-1919Experience the raw emotions and reflections shaped by the Great War, as poems memorialize loss, courage, and the haunting beauty of life during 1914-1919.
PoetryPoems, 1908-1919Explore a rich tapestry of emotions and reflections woven through nature, love, war, and everyday life in this evocative collection of poems spanning 1908 to 1919.
Level C2PoetryPoems, 1799A haunting vision unfolds as a weary maiden drifts into a nightmarish realm of despair, encountering spectral figures and the chilling inevitability of death.
Level C1PoetryPoems, &c. (1790): Wherein It Is Attempted To Describe Certain Views Of Nature And Of Rustic Manners; And Also, To Point Out, In Some Instances, The Different Influence Which The Same Circumstances Produce On Different CharactersExperience a vivid winter morning in a rustic village, where the rhythms of nature and humble lives unfold through poetic scenes of labor, family, and the quiet struggles of rural…
Level C2PoetryPoems — Volume 3Explore a vibrant collection of poems that journey from roving winds and joyful revelry to timeless odes, epic fragments, and intimate epitaphs, capturing nature, history, and huma…
Level C2PoetryPoems — Volume 2Explore a rich tapestry of emotions and ideas through evocative poems that journey from intimate reflections to grand themes of nature, wisdom, and human strife, inviting readers i…
Level C2PoetryPoems — Volume 1Dive into a vivid collection of poems that explore nature, love, myth, and the human spirit through rich imagery and timeless themes.
Level B2PoetryPoems with Power to Strengthen the SoulDiscover a unique collection of poems chosen for their power to inspire moral strength and elevate daily living, blending heartfelt spirituality with poetic grace to nurture the so…![Cover of Poems we all love by Montrose L. [Compiler] Barnet](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dafd9ola8p2c739itgo0.webp)
Level C1PoetryPoems we all loveDive into a treasury of timeless poems that inspire courage, faith, and love, offering solace and strength through life’s joys and challenges.
Level C1PoetryPoems on various subjects, religious and moralExplore profound reflections on virtue, faith, and humanity penned by a remarkable young woman who, brought from Africa to America, mastered language and poetry against all odds, o…![Cover of Poems on Travel by R. M. [Compiler] Leonard](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8bm3sv7nos73d6qaug.webp)
Level C2PoetryPoems on TravelEmbark on a poetic journey through Europe’s landscapes and landmarks, from the towering Matterhorn to the ancient cities of Italy and Greece.
Level C2PoetryPoems on SlaveryPowerful poems conceived at sea confront the brutal realities of slavery, capturing haunting dreams, midnight songs, and the enduring spirit of those longing for freedom.
Level C2PoetryPoems on Serious and Sacred Subjects: Printed only as Private Tokens of Regard, for the Particular Friends of the AuthorExplore profound reflections on mortality, faith, and the human spirit as heartfelt poems delve into the fear of death, the power of resignation, and the solace found in friendship…![Cover of Poems on Golf by Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh [Editor]](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabkulo9638s73a2r2m0.webp)
Level C1PoetryPoems on GolfStep onto the storied greens where heroic golfers wield clubs like warriors and mythical goddesses watch over fierce contests for glory and honor.
Level C2PoetryPoems of the Past and the PresentExplore the poignant contrasts of war’s harsh realities and human emotions through vivid poems that journey from historic battlegrounds to intimate farewells, capturing the timeles…
Level C1PoetryPoems of the Heart and HomeExplore heartfelt Canadian landscapes and intimate moments through a collection of poems that reveal joys, sorrows, and hopes rooted deeply in home, nature, and shared human experi…
Level C1HistoricalPoems of the Great War: Published on the Behalf of the Prince of Wales's National Relief FundPoignant and stirring poems rally a nation in the throes of war, capturing the courage, sacrifice, and resolve of England as it faces the great conflict.
Level C2PoetryPoems of reflectionStep into a world where art, passion, and the bittersweet journey of life intertwine—exploring dreams, losses, and the longing for beauty beyond the ordinary.
Level C1RomancePoems of lovePassion ignites in stirring verses that explore love’s fierce battles and sweet dangers, where hearts face the turmoil of desire, devotion, and heartbreak.
Level C2PoetryPoems of lifeExplore the vastness of life, the soul’s yearning for the infinite, and the secret to joy through vivid reflections on love, struggle, and transcendence.
Level C2PoetryPoems of evolutionJourney through the vast epochs of Earth's history, where life evolves from ancient seas to prehistoric caves, tracing humanity's origins and artistic awakenings amidst the shiftin…
Level B2PoetryPoems of William BlakeStep into a world of vivid imagination where innocence, nature, and spirituality intertwine through playful songs and poignant reflections, capturing the joys and sorrows of childh…
Level C1PoetryPoems of To-Day: an AnthologyExplore a rich tapestry of modern English poetry capturing themes of history, nature, and life itself—from heroic pasts and war reflections to the beauty of the earth and the depth…
Level B2PoetryPoems of SentimentExplore heartfelt reflections on love, society, and truth through vivid floral metaphors and soulful verses that challenge judgment and celebrate resilience in the face of adversit…
Level C1PoetryPoems of Rural Life in the Dorset DialectImmerse yourself in vivid Dorset countryside scenes, where rustic life bursts to life through heartfelt poems rich with local dialect, nature’s beauty, and the simple joys and tria…
Level B2PoetryPoems of PurposeA young man’s journey through youth’s temptations and disillusionments unfolds in stirring verse, exploring the costs of reckless choices and the quest for meaning amid society’s c…
Level C1PoetryPoems of Progress and New Thought PastelsExplore a poetic journey through love’s elusive language, human longing, and the world’s unspoken needs, as spirits wander between realms in search of connection, truth, and spirit…
Level C1PoetryPoems of ProgressExplore a profound journey into Spiritualism, where the spirit world meets natural law and human progress, challenging old creeds and inviting a harmonious development of body and…
Level C1PoetryPoems of PowerExplore the divine power within every human being through evocative poems that celebrate hope, faith, and the enduring spirit amid the trials of history and change.
Level C1PoetryPoems of PleasureExplore a rich collection of poems that delve into love, loss, hope, and the human spirit, inviting readers to find beauty and meaning in life's joys and sorrows.