Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
1,997 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 Milkmaid: R. Caldecott's Picture Books, The Military Adventures of Johnny Newcome: With an Account of his Campaign on the Peninsula and in Pall Mall and The Middle English Poem, Erthe Upon Erthe. 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 C1PoetryShadowingsA young samurai, ruined and regretful, returns to Kyoto to seek forgiveness from the wife he divorced in folly.
Level C1PoetrySevern & SommeAmid the thunder of war, a soldier-poet captures the haunting beauty of Gloucestershire and the raw pain of the trenches, weaving personal reflections with vivid landscapes and hea…
Level C2PoetrySeven Poems and a FragmentOn All Souls’ Night, a narrator summons memories of friends and ghosts whose passions and philosophies intertwine with the supernatural, exploring love, loss, and the quest for pro…
Level C1PoetrySeven Minor Epics of the English Renaissance (1596-1624)Explore seven rare minor epics from the English Renaissance, featuring elusive authors and intriguing tales of love and myth, reproduced faithfully from their earliest editions for…
Level C1HistoricalServian Popular PoetryExplore the rich history and soul of Servia through its vibrant popular poetry, capturing tales of ancient kingdoms, legendary battles, and the enduring spirit of a people shaped b…
Level C1PoetrySelections from the Poems and Plays of Robert BrowningExplore the vivid early world of a young poet shaped by a nurturing home filled with art, music, and nature.
Level C1PoetrySelections from Wordsworth and TennysonIn a remote valley, an aging shepherd named Michael embodies a life of quiet strength, deep connection to nature, and enduring family bonds.
Level C1FantasySelections from PoeDive into a world where haunting poems and eerie tales reveal the troubled genius of a solitary dreamer, exploring themes of death, mystery, and the macabre through unforgettable v…
Level B2PoetrySelections from Five English PoetsExplore the rich melodies and moods of English poetry through stirring lyrics, epic tales, and reflective verse by five master poets, revealing how rhythm and story intertwine to a…
Level C2PoetrySelections from Early Middle English, 1130-1250. Part 1: TextsExplore the linguistic and poetic heritage of early Middle English through carefully selected texts from 1130 to 1250, featuring original manuscripts and rare characters that illum…
Level C1PoetrySelections from American poetry, with special reference to Poe, Longfellow, Lowell and WhittierExplore the evolution of American poetry from Puritan austerity to the vibrant voices of Poe, Longfellow, Lowell, and Whittier, capturing the nation’s spirit through nature, histor…
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems of Oscar WildeA haunting reflection on love, guilt, and mortality unfolds through vivid verses that reveal the tragic fate of a man condemned for murdering the woman he loved.
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems of Francis ThompsonA poet haunted by fragility and mysticism finds beauty in ordinary moments, weaving celestial visions and personal struggles into golden verses inspired by nature, childhood, and f…
Level C1PoetrySelected Poems (1685-1700)Dive into the fierce world of a fiery Whig journalist who defies tyranny with sharp verses and bold exposés, navigating political intrigue and personal myth-making in a turbulent a…
Level C2PoetrySelected PoemsExperience the poignant reflections on love, life, and mortality as tender verses carry you through moments of joy, loss, and the inexorable passage of time, unfolding a landscape…
Level C1PoetrySelect Poems of Sidney LanierImmerse yourself in vivid reflections on nature, music, and life through poems that weave personal history with lyrical beauty.
Level C1PoetrySelect Epigrams from the Greek AnthologyDive into a rich collection of Greek epigrams, short poetic inscriptions blending history, epitaphs, and ancient tradition, carefully curated from classical sources to capture the…
PoetrySecond Book of VerseDive into a rich collection of poems that journey through tender lullabies, wistful memories, lively scenes, and timeless reflections on love, nature, and everyday life.
Level C2PoetrySecond AprilA restless soul confronts the cycle of spring’s fleeting beauty and the harsh realities of life, seeking meaning amid destruction and renewal.
Level C1PoetrySeaward: An Elegy on the Death of Thomas William ParsonsA lyrical elegy mourning the death of Thomas William Parsons, a devoted scholar and translator of Dante, whose poetic genius bridged American and Italian literary traditions.
Level C1PoetrySea Spray: Verses and TranslationsImmerse yourself in evocative verses and vivid translations that journey through ancient Irish legends, historic battles, and timeless fables, blending lyrical beauty with rich cul…
Level C2PoetrySea PoemsDive into a lyrical voyage where the sea becomes a vast subconscious, stirring powerful emotions and timeless truths through vivid poems that explore storms, love, and the mysterie…
Level C1PoetryScottish Poetry of the Sixteenth CenturyExplore the turbulent dawn of Scottish Renaissance poetry amid the aftermath of Flodden Field, where feudalism collapses and the Reformation stirs fierce religious fervor, reshapin…
Level B2PoetryScott's Lady of the LakeAmid the breathtaking Highlands and the mysterious Loch Katrine, ancient customs and heroic tales come alive in a poetic journey that weaves romance, valor, and the rugged beauty o…
Level C2PoetrySatires of Circumstance, Lyrics and Reveries, with Miscellaneous PiecesDive into a haunting journey through memory and loss, where spectral faces from the past emerge amid misty landscapes, and the clash of war disturbs both the living and the dead.
Level C1PoetrySatan Absolved: A Victorian MysteryIn a provocative poetic journey set in the antechamber of Heaven, a solitary Satan confronts the hypocrisies and brutalities of Victorian England, challenging the era’s claims of p…
Level C1PoetrySappho: One Hundred LyricsStep into the sunlit gardens of ancient Lesbos, where a revered poet queen weaves fiery passion and lyrical mastery into timeless verses.
Level C1PoetrySappho: Memoir, text, selected renderings, and a literal translationUnearth the lyrical world of an ancient poetess through newly discovered fragments and evocative translations, enriched by scholarly insights and rare reproductions that bring her…
Level C1PoetrySappho: A New RenderingStep into the ancient world where Sappho's haunting fragments whisper of love, longing, and divine enchantment, preserved only in echoes yet alive with timeless beauty and mystery.
Level C1HistoricalSapphoExplore the vibrant world of ancient Lesbos, where a flourishing culture shapes the life and lyric poetry of Sappho.
PoetrySandman TimeExplore the elusive moments when dreams and reality blur, as evocative verses invite you into the mysterious realm where time and imagination intertwine.
Level C2PoetrySandhyaExperience the fading twilight through poems that blend Bengali musicality with English verse, capturing moments of longing, nature, and spiritual reflection in a collection born f…
Level C2PoetrySaltbush Bill, J. P.Journey into the rugged Australian outback where wild horses roam and wheat fields stretch as far as the eye can see, capturing the spirit of droving life, fierce land struggles, a…
Level C1PoetrySagittulae, Random VersesIn a spirited poetic lay, the battle over women's higher education unfolds within Cambridge's ancient halls, as determined ladies confront a staunch assembly of fellows defending t…
Level C1PoetrySaga of the oak, and other poemsExplore evocative poems that journey through nature, history, and remembrance—from the silent woods of early Cincinnati to tributes honoring visionary educators—each verse inviting…
Level B2PoetrySaddle room songs and hunting balladsImmerse yourself in vivid verses that celebrate the rugged charm of hunting, horses, and rural life, capturing moments from the thrill of the chase to quiet reflections on old sadd…
Level C2PoetrySabbath-Breaking on the Canal: A PoemAmidst the bustling commerce along the canal, laborers toil even on the sacred Sabbath, risking spiritual peril in pursuit of wealth.
PoetryRuthless Rhymes for Heartless HomesDarkly witty and sharply satirical poems expose the twisted dynamics of heartless homes, where family foibles and ironies unfold with ruthless humor and biting charm.
Level C2PoetryRussian LyricsImmerse yourself in the passionate and varied voices of Russia’s poets, from Cossack warriors to peasants, lovers, and patriots, as their stirring songs and verses come alive in vi…
Level C1PoetryRural Tales, Ballads, and SongsStep into the heart of rural England where village life, simple joys, and timeless nature paint vivid scenes through ballads and tales.
Level C1PoetryRubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, and Salámán and Absál: Together with a Life of Edward Fitzgerald and an Essay on Persian Poetry by Ralph Waldo EmersonDelve into the translated verses of Omar Khayyám, brought to life through Edward FitzGerald’s poetic mastery, accompanied by insights into Persian poetry and the remarkable life of…
Level C1PoetryRubáiyát of Omar Khayyam, Rendered into English VerseExplore a timeless collection of Persian quatrains blending whimsical philosophy, skeptical inquiry, and celebration of life's fleeting pleasures, brought to life through a lyrical…
PoetryRubáiyát of Doc SifersExplore a charming collection of neighborly poems, prose sketches, and whimsical verses that capture the warmth and humor of everyday life through the eyes of Doc Sifers.
Level C1RomanceRowena & Harold: A Romance in Rhyme of an Olden Time, of Hastyngs and NormanhurstIn a land of fierce feuds and forbidden love, a proud maiden defies her Norman father's will to follow her heart for a noble Saxon knight.
Level B2PoetryRosemary and Rue, by AmberImmerse yourself in a poetic journey to a serene island where nature’s beauty and simple joys offer solace from life’s hardships, inviting readers to find peace in wild strawberrie…
Level B1PoetryRose of AffectionPlayful verses capture the innocent joys and everyday wonders of childhood, from choosing toys to learning lessons.
PoetryRose budsDiscover a delicate collection of poetry that captures fleeting moments and tender emotions, inviting you to explore the beauty hidden in life's simplest rosebuds.
Level C2PoetryRose and Roof-Tree — PoemsExplore verses that intertwine nature’s beauty and human emotion, where roses climb toward the sky and melodies of growth and love echo beneath the roof-tree.