Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
2,014 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.
- 2,014
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Level C1PoetryPurcell Ode, and Other PoemsExplore the intricate relationship between poetry and music through reflections on the challenges of setting verse to choral compositions, revealing the delicate balance between li…
Level B1PoetryPunky Dunk and the Spotted PupA curious cat named Punky Dunk meets a lively spotted pup who arrives to join the family, sparking playful rivalry and unexpected friendship in this charming, rhymed tale of pets a…
PoetryPunky Dunk and the MouseDelight in whimsical verses and charming illustrations crafted to captivate and inspire the imagination of young children in a playful journey through rhyme and art.
PoetryPunky Dunk and the Gold FishDive into whimsical poems and charming illustrations crafted to delight young readers, where playful tales and lively verses bring a world of imagination to life.
Level C2PoetryPuck on PegasusStep aboard the Night Mail North as it races through mist and sleet, carrying passengers bound for hope, escape, and desperate reprieves.
FantasyPuck in pastureStep into a whimsical world where fairies, leprechauns, and enchanted creatures roam the pastoral landscapes, inviting you to explore their magical tales through verse and vivid im…
Level C1PoetryPsychologiesAmidst the turmoil of ancient Rome, a weary leader grapples with the cost of war and the meaning of power, as soldiers demand battle and he seeks a nobler peace.
Level C1PoetryProvocationsExplore deeply personal and spontaneous reflections on war, loss, and nature through poignant poems that reveal the intimate provocations behind public events, capturing moments fr…
Level C2PoetryProverbial Philosophy: The First and Second SeriesDelve into reflective poetry that weaves wisdom and truth through thoughtful musings on life, knowledge, and the human spirit.
Level C1PoetryProud Signild, and Other BalladsIn a tale of betrayal and vengeance, Proud Signild is wed into a distant land where dark deeds unfold as she confronts her lord Sir Loumor and the deadly fate of her brothers.
Level C1PoetryProfiles from China: Sketches in Free Verse of People and Things Seen in the InteriorImmerse yourself in vivid free verse portraits of China’s interior, where cormorants, scholars, storytellers, and ancient wells reveal a world of beauty, mystery, and quiet power b…
Level B2PoetryPrison PoetryImprisoned yet unbroken, a poet’s soul transcends cold bars, voicing the raw, unfiltered emotions and hopes of those confined.
Level C1PoetryPrince Ragnal, and other holiday versesJourney through evocative holiday verses that weave legends of early Christian Ireland with timeless Christmas scenes, inviting reflection on faith, tradition, and the sacred momen…
Level C2PoetryPrimitive & Mediaeval Japanese Texts: Transliterated into Roman with introductions, notes and glossariesExplore early Japanese culture through romanized texts of ancient poetry, medieval tales, and theatrical works, accompanied by detailed notes and glossaries to unlock the language…
Level C1PoetryPrimavera: Poems by Four AuthorsFour young poets explore themes of youth, love, and melancholy with refined, delicate verses that blend restrained emotion and aesthetic grace, inviting readers into a world of sub…
Level B2PoetryPretty Verses for All Good Children: In Words of One, Two, and Three SyllablesGentle tales and simple verses teach young readers the value of honesty, kindness, and the beauty found in everyday life—using only words of one, two, and three syllables to deligh…
Level C1PoetryPreludes 1921-1922In a world where love fuels courage and faith shapes destiny, a young shepherd faces a towering giant while his steadfast friend wrestles with doubt and honor on the battlefield.
Level C1HistoricalPre-Raphaelite and other PoetsExplore insightful lectures delivered to Japanese students that dissect the works of Rossetti, Swinburne, Browning, and other poets, revealing profound truths about modern poetry t…
Level C1PoetryPrayers Written At Vailima, and A Lowden Sabbath MornIn a remote Samoan home, evening prayers weave together the sacred customs of island life and intimate family devotion, revealing the deep spiritual bonds and quiet struggles of th…
Level C1HistoricalPowhatan; A Metrical Romance, in Seven CantosAn epic metrical romance unfolds the story of Powhatan, a formidable Native American chieftain who unites tribes into a powerful confederacy amid the arrival of English settlers.
Level C1PoetryPostscriptsDiscover the early, unsigned writings of a master storyteller as they unfold through witty columns, vivid characters, and keen humor from his time at the Houston Post, revealing th…
Level C1HistoricalPost-Augustan Poetry From Seneca to JuvenalExplore the overlooked world of post-Augustan Roman poetry, revealing the merits and flaws of poets navigating the decline of classical ideals under imperial rule, from dramatic wo…
Level A2PoetryPorridge poetryDelight in a whimsical collection of playful poems where kitchen creatures, curious characters, and imaginative tales come to life with humor and charm, turning everyday moments in…
Level C1PoetryPopular British Ballads, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 4 (of 4)As a fierce tide floods the coast of Lincolnshire, a haunting melody from the town bells warns of impending disaster, intertwining nature’s fury with the lives and legends of its p…
Level C1PoetryPopular British Ballads, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 3 (of 4)In a remote hermit's humble refuge, a sorrowful stranger seeks solace from heartbreak and loss, revealing a tale of love, pride, and despair amidst the quiet wilderness where stori…
Level C1PoetryPopular British Ballads, Ancient and Modern, Vol. 2 (of 4)Step into a realm where ancient ballads weave tales of love, mystery, and enchantment—from True Thomas’s fateful journey to Elfland to the haunting lament of the Bonny Hind.
Level C1PoetryPomegranates from an English Garden: A selection from the poems of Robert BrowningDive into a rich selection of intense, thought-provoking poems that challenge the reader to uncover deep human emotions and ideas hidden beneath a rugged, unconventional style.
Level C2PoetryPoint Lace and DiamondsExplore a richly woven collection of poems and dramatic pieces that delve into love, society, and timeless human emotions, from youthful dreams and marital journeys to parables and…
Level C1HistoricalPoets of the South: A Series of Biographical and Critical Studies with Typical Poems, AnnotatedExplore the rich, often overlooked poetic heritage of the American South through vivid biographical and critical portraits of its leading poets.
Level B2HistoricalPoets and Dreamers: Studies and translations from the IrishTwo old women debate the fierce rivalry between two legendary Irish poets, Raftery and Callinan, whose songs and sharp tongues still echo through the memories of their homeland.
Level C1PoetryPoetry: A Magazine of Verse, Volume 01: October-March, 1912-13Step into a world where ancient kings and their legacies are immortalized through the power of words and song, illuminating the timeless struggle to preserve glory and wisdom again…
Level C1HistoricalPoetry of the Anti-Jacobin: Comprising the Celebrated Political and Satirical Poems, of the Rt. Hons. G. Canning, John Hookham Frere, W. Pitt, the Marquis Wellesley, G. Ellis, W. Gifford, the Earl of Carlisle, and Others.Sharp political and satirical poems from the turbulent era of 1797-98 expose the fierce conflicts between Britain and revolutionary France, capturing the wit and turmoil of a natio…
Level C1PoetryPoetry for Poetry's Sake: An Inaugural Lecture Delivered on June 5, 1901Delve into a passionate exploration of poetry's intrinsic value, where the act of reading becomes a vivid journey through sounds, images, and emotions, revealing poetry as an exper…
Level C1PoetryPoetryExplore a diverse collection of poems that celebrate poetry’s power to inspire, teach, and elevate the soul through imagination, morality, and faith.
Level C2PoetryPoetryExplore the timeless harmony of the universe through poetry that intertwines celestial music, philosophical reflection, and the human mind’s quest to grasp cosmic order and meaning…
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works: Comprising Elegies, Sketches from Life, Pathetic, and Extempore PiecesA man’s reckless youth leads him into debt, despair, and the harsh realities of bankruptcy, exposing the merciless legal and personal consequences he must face.
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of William Cullen BryantExplore the roots of a poetic soul shaped by stern Puritan heritage and New England rigor, tracing a frail child's journey through discipline, tradition, and the early influences t…
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 6Step into ancient Athens and Rome, where mistaken identities and political intrigue unfold amid gardens, taverns, and conspiracies.
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 5In a royal court where love and intrigue intertwine, servants and nobles navigate secrets, duels, and forbidden romances, revealing the chaos beneath gilded façades.
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 4Set against the Spanish occupation of Sicily, a romantic drama unfolds in Palermo as Palicio, disguised and wounded, navigates political intrigue, betrayal, and shifting loyalties.
Level C1PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 3Step into the intrigue of ancient Rome as senators navigate political peril under Emperor Nero’s reign, balancing loyalty, ambition, and emerging conspiracies in a richly dramatic…
Level C2PoetryPoetical Works of Robert Bridges, Volume 2Explore a rich collection of shorter and new poems that traverse elegies, nature, love, and seasonal reflections, blending classical forms with fresh voices to evoke deep emotion a…
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.