Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
2,602 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.
- 2,602
- books
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.
Level C1PoetryRose Leaf and Apple LeafExplore a passionate vision of art’s pure beauty, where sorrow and joy intertwine through exquisite poetry that celebrates form, color, and musicality beyond moral or metaphysical…
HistoricalRookie rhymes, by the men of the 1st and 2nd provisional training regiments, Plattsburg, New YorkExperience the raw emotions and camaraderie of military training through spirited poems and songs that capture the hopes, hardships, and humor of rookie soldiers preparing for war…
Level C1PoetryRomantic Ballads, Translated from the Danish; and Miscellaneous PiecesVivid translations of ancient Danish and Scandinavian ballads evoke a world of fierce warriors, haunting elves, and mythical creatures, capturing the raw spirit and barbaric grande…
Level C2HistoricalRoderick, the last of the GothsIn the shadowed dawn of a fading empire, a lone Gothic prince wrestles with destiny, penance, and the relentless march of history.
Level C2PoetryRock of AgesA heartfelt plea for divine refuge and grace unfolds in poetic verses, exploring themes of sin, salvation, and unwavering faith beneath the steadfast Rock of Ages.
Level C1PoetryRobin Hood: A collection of all the ancient poems, songs, and ballads, now extant, relative to that celebrated English outlaw. To which are prefixed historical anecdotes of his life.Delve into the legendary life of Robin Hood, the noble outlaw who retreats to Sherwood Forest with his band of loyal archers, challenging injustice and carving a place in English f…
Level C2PoetryRobert Louis Stevenson, an Elegy; and Other PoemsA heartfelt poetic tribute explores the life, death, and enduring legacy of a beloved northern dreamer resting on a distant island.
Level C1PoetryRobert F. Murray (Author of the Scarlet Gown): His Poems; with a MemoirExplore the poignant life and poetry of a young writer whose delicate humor, tender reflections, and love of letters reveal the struggles and ideals of a soul striving for excellen…
Level C1PoetryRobert Burns: How To Know HimExplore the life of a fiercely passionate and independent poet who rises from humble beginnings amid hardship and family struggles in 18th-century Scotland.
Level C1PoetryRobert BurnsExplore the turbulent early life of a gifted poet born into hardship in Ayrshire, whose stormy passions and steadfast family shaped the verses that would captivate generations.
Level C1PoetryRobert Browning: How to Know HimExplore the life and poetic genius of Robert Browning through vivid interpretations of his work, revealing his unique style, paradoxes, and optimism shaped by a privileged upbringi…
Level C2PoetryRobert BrowningExplore the intricate mind and poetic genius of Robert Browning, a distinctly English yet cosmopolitan poet whose works challenge readers with their depth and individuality, offeri…
Level C1PoetryRobert BrowningExplore the inner journey of a poet whose mind reshaped spiritual understanding, revealing how his works reflect a profound optimism that challenges materialism and illuminates the…
Level C2PoetryRivers to the SeaImmerse yourself in a lyrical journey through love, longing, and the fleeting beauty of life, where tender moments and poignant reflections weave a tapestry of emotions beneath the…
Level B2PoetryRippling RhymesWitty prose poems capture the spirit of early 20th-century life with humor and insight, reflecting on themes from farm machinery to personal virtue.
Level C1PoetryRio Grande's Last Race, and Other VersesA fearless jockey faces a haunting dream where ghostly champions guide him to ride the legendary Rio Grande in a race that blurs the line between life and death.
Level A2PoetryRing O' Roses: A Nursery Rhyme Picture BookStep into a charming world where beloved nursery rhymes come alive through playful verse and vivid illustrations, inviting readers of all ages to sing, dance, and dream along with…
Level C2PoetryRiley Songs of HomeA heartfelt collection of poems that explore memories, home, and the simple joys of life, inviting readers to reflect on friendship, childhood, and the passage of time through vivi…
Level C1PoetryRiley Songs of FriendshipCelebrate the warmth of friendship and the sweetness of everyday moments through a collection of heartfelt poems that bloom with charm, humor, and tender reflections on life’s simp…