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.
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Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems II: Part 2 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierEmbodying sacrifice and heroism, these poems honor individuals who face injustice and fight for freedom, weaving personal courage into a broader struggle for humanity and truth.
Level C1PoetryPersonal Poems I: Part 1 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore a collection of deeply personal poems weaving themes of friendship, loss, hope, and remembrance, capturing heartfelt tributes and reflections on human kindness and sorrow.
Level C2PoetryPerpetual Light : a memorialHaunted by love and loss, a man reflects on a beloved companion whose spirit illuminates his darkest hours, weaving a poignant memorial through heartfelt verse and spiritual intros…
Level C1PoetryPepper & Salt; or, Seasoning for Young FolkA whimsical jester invites young readers to find joy and laughter amid life’s hardships through playful stories and moral poems, blending humor with gentle wisdom to season everyda…
Level C1PoetryPennsylvania Pilgrim, and other poems: Part 6 From Volume I of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore the journey of German Pietists led by Francis Daniel Pastorius as they establish a harmonious settlement in Pennsylvania, blending faith, culture, and early advocacy agains…
Level C1PoetryPastoral Poems by Nicholas Breton, Selected Poetry by George Wither, and Pastoral Poetry by William Browne (of Tavistock)Immerse yourself in the tender world of pastoral poetry, where love, nature, and rustic joys intertwine through the heartfelt verses of Breton, Wither, and Browne, capturing the se…
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 2 of 2)Gawain embarks on perilous quests filled with enchantments, fierce battles, and complex alliances, weaving through castles and courts where love, honor, and magic collide in a rich…
Level C1RomanceParzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)A young knight embarks on a spiritual and chivalric quest to find the Holy Grail, facing trials that test his honor, faith, and courage in a richly woven Arthurian world.
Level C1PoetryParodies of the works of English & American authors, vol. IVDive into a witty collection of parodies that cleverly lampoon beloved English and American ballads, songs, and odes, revealing the humor and homage behind each playful imitation o…
Level C2HistoricalParadise RegainedA divine battle unfolds as the Son of God faces the Tempter's cunning in the wilderness, testing obedience and faith to reclaim paradise lost by one man's disobedience.
Level C2HistoricalParadise LostIn a cosmic battle between Heaven and Hell, fallen angels plot eternal war after their fiery exile, while mankind’s first disobedience sets the stage for a profound struggle over f…
Level C1PoetryPapers from Overlook-HouseAmidst the solemn beauty of an ancient church and the quiet of a snow-covered landscape, faded manuscripts reveal stories of enduring friendship, mystery, and timeless reflections,…
Level B2PoetryPansy's Sunday BookTwo childhood friends, Robert and Claire, explore their differing views on circuses during a summer by the sea, revealing how upbringing and personal beliefs shape their experience…
Level C2PoetryPan and Æolus: PoemsExplore a vivid collection of poems that weave together elemental forces, mythic figures, and human experience, from the haunting hymn of tomb builders to the fierce voices of eart…
Level C1HistoricalPan Tadeusz; or, The last foray in Lithuania: a story of life among Polish gentlefolk in the years 1811 and 1812Amidst the fading world of Polish nobility in 1811-1812 Lithuania, rival families and old customs clash in a richly detailed saga of honor, love, and national identity.
Level C1PoetryPamphlets and Parodies on Political SubjectsSatirical verses expose the corruption and unrest plaguing a nation, revealing the tangled web of power, greed, and oppression beneath the surface of a crumbling state.
Level B2PoetryPages for Laughing EyesDiscover a charming collection of poems and stories that capture the wonder of childhood, the beauty of nature, and the small joys of everyday life, from playful animals to heartfe…
Level C2PoetryOxford Lectures on PoetryExplore the essence of poetry through a series of reflective lectures that delve into its form, experience, and purpose, offering profound insights on poetic art and its timeless i…
Level C2PoetryOutlook OdesSharp-witted odes capture the quirks of public life and politics with biting humor and vivid characters, from weary parliamentarians to jubilant crowds.
Level C1PoetryOut of the NorthExperience the haunting beauty and fierce solitude of the Arctic through evocative poems that capture both the relentless cold and fleeting bursts of life, hope, and laughter benea…![Cover of Our Young Folks at Home and Abroad by Daphne [Editor] Dale](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabkfqg9638s73a2pnp0.webp)
Level A2PoetryOur Young Folks at Home and AbroadDelight in charming tales and poems that explore friendship, kindness, and adventure through the lives of children and their beloved pets.
Level A2PoetryOur Story Book: Jingles, Stories and Rhymes for Little FolksJoin Wideawake Willy and his friends on playful adventures through seasons of fun and discovery, from cricket matches to exploring faraway places.
Level C1PoetryOur Profession and Other PoemsExplore a heartfelt collection of poems reflecting on nature, love, memory, and the dignity of profession, interwoven with personal stories and legends that reveal beauty and truth…
Level B2PoetryOur Little Ones and The Nursery, Vol. V, No. 9, July 1885A mischievous coati-mondi named Nasna, with a long inquisitive nose and a bushy ringed tail, explores her lively household, stirring up trouble and curiosity in this charming colle…
Level C1HistoricalOur Little Brown House, A Poem of West Point: Written for the New Year's Festival at the Cadets': Sabbath-school of the Methodist Episcopal Church, January: 1, 1879Step into the world of West Point’s Cadets through heartfelt poems and vivid sketches, capturing moments from daily life, celebrations, and camaraderie at the military academy in t…
Level C1PoetryOur GiftA heartfelt collection of poems and moral lessons crafted by devoted Sunday school teachers, offering reflections on memory, duty, and love to inspire young hearts toward kindness…
Level B2AdventureOur Boys: Entertaining Stories by Popular AuthorsYoung readers embark on enchanting adventures filled with imaginative tales, from a boy crafting a magical cat-tail arrow to the mysterious origins of Christmas presents in a conve…
Level B1PoetryOur Boys, and Other PoemsPoignant poems penned by a young boy before his tenth birthday capture the spirit of patriotism and childhood wonder during wartime.
Level C2PoetryOs Lusiadas (The Lusiads), vol. 2 of 2A daring Portuguese fleet reaches the rich shores of Calecut, where alliances and conflicts with native rulers unfold amid calls for Christian unity and valor.
Level C1PoetryOs Lusiadas (The Lusiads), vol. 1 of 2Embark on a poetic voyage celebrating Portugal's heroic Age of Discovery, where valor, love, and glory intertwine in epic verse that reveals the soul of a nation and the spirit of…
Level C2PoetryOrpheus and Other PoemsExplore a collection where myth and nature intertwine, capturing seasons, love, and loss through vivid, lyrical poetry that invites reflection and imagination.
Level C1RomanceOrlando FuriosoIn a world of magic, war, and tangled love, knights Orlando and Ranaldo vie for the enchanting Angelica amid battles between Christians and heathens.
Level C2PoetryOriginal sonnets on various subjects; and odes paraphrased from HoraceExplore a rich collection of sonnets and odes that illuminate the art of the legitimate sonnet form, blending elevated thought and tender sentiment with vivid descriptions inspired…
Level C1PoetryOpen WaterExplore the bold lyric journey that challenges traditional rhyme and rhythm, unveiling the modern spirit's raw, intimate emotions through unbound verse and a fresh poetic voice bre…
Level C1PoetryOne Day & Another: A Lyrical EclogueA tender lyrical dialogue unfolds across the seasons, capturing the intimate moments and shifting moods between two souls meeting in a garden, weaving together love, reflection, an…
Level B2PoetryOn the Tree TopA miller’s daughter faces a deadly challenge: to spin straw into gold by sunrise or lose her life.
Level C2PoetryOn the Nature of ThingsA poetic exploration unfolds, revealing the cosmic forces of nature and the eternal power of love that shapes life and the universe.
Level C1HistoricalOn poetic interpretation of natureExplore the profound connection between nature and the human soul beyond scientific explanation, as poetry reveals the beauty and deeper truths that arise from their encounter, inv…
Level C1PoetryOn Strike Till 3In a humble cottage beside a deep ravine, a devoted widow and her young son find hope and comfort through love and small miracles during a harsh winter.
Level B2HistoricalOn PatrolStep aboard the Duty Steam Boat and navigate the strict codes of naval protocol, where every letter and order carries weight and the chain of command dictates life on patrol.
Level B2PoetryOlive Leaves; Or, Sketches of CharacterA young boy’s secret defiance leads him to a perilous swim in a swift river, where danger and unexpected rescue by strangers test his courage and faith.
Level C1PoetryOld Spookses' Pass, Malcolm's Katie, and other poemsUnder a vast starry sky, three cowboys guard a massive herd across the rugged Rockies, where the haunting wilderness and mysterious creeks whisper ancient truths and test their cou…
PoetryOld SongsStep into a world of timeless melodies and heartfelt verse, where love, loss, and celebration echo through age-old songs and poems.
PoetryOld Mother Hubbard and Her DogFollow the whimsical adventures of Old Mother Hubbard and her loyal dog through charming verses filled with surprises and delight at every turn.
Level C2PoetryOld BalladsStep into a world of heartfelt melodies and timeless tales where lasses and lads dance by the Maypole, lovers confess their secret yearnings, and the sweet strains of ballads echo…
Level C1PoetryOklahoma and Other PoemsExplore the vibrant spirit and rich heritage of Oklahoma through stirring poems that celebrate its landscapes, people, and history, capturing the hopes and strength of a land forgi…
Level B2PoetryOklahoma SunshineExperience the heartfelt reflections and witty observations of everyday life in early Oklahoma, where humor, philosophy, and the simple joys of humanity shine through verse and pro…
Level C1AdventureOdysseus, the Hero of Ithaca: Adapted from the Third Book of the Primary Schools of Athens, GreeceEmbark on the epic journey of Odysseus, a cunning hero whose adventures span from the fall of Troy to his perilous voyage home to Ithaca, blending bravery, wisdom, and the timeless…