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.
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Level C1RomanceLa Chanson de Roland : Translated from the Seventh Edition of Léon GautierIn a Pyrenean valley, Charlemagne’s rear-guard, led by Roland, faces a deadly ambush that sparks legend.
Level C2PoetryL'Allegro, Il Penseroso, Comus, and LycidasEscape into vivid pastoral scenes where mirth and melancholy dance in poetic harmony, inviting you to revel in nature's joys and ponder deeper shadows of the soul through enchantin…
Level C1HistoricalKonrad Wallenrod: An Historical PoemAmid the fierce conflicts between the Teutonic Order and the Lithuanian nation, a tale unfolds of shifting allegiances, cultural clashes, and a struggle for identity in a turbulent…
Level C1PoetryKipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book IIDiscover the vivid tales and stirring poems shaped by a boy raised amid the bustling, diverse life of 19th-century Bombay, whose early experiences across continents ignite a rich i…
Level B2PoetryKing WinterStep into the frosty realm where King Winter reigns from his icy throne, spreading snow and magic across the land while Jack Frost watches over the children’s behavior, bringing jo…
Level C1PoetryKing Hacon's Death, and Bran and the Black Dog: Two BalladsIn a stirring blend of history and myth, a noble king confronts loss and duty as his kingdom faces peril, while a mysterious stranger and his formidable black dog challenge the val…
Level C1PoetryKing Diderik and the fight between the Lion and Dragon, and Other BalladsA fearless king encounters a fierce battle between a lion and a dragon, leading him into a perilous quest filled with fiery swords, cunning serpents, and unlikely alliances.
Level C1PoetryKentucky PoemsImmerse yourself in the lush landscapes and serene beauty of Kentucky through meditative lyric poems that capture the spirit and colors of its native soil, weaving nature’s quiet m…
Level C1PoetryKeats: Poems Published in 1820Dive into the vivid world of a young poet whose brief life yielded a remarkable collection of evocative and evolving verse, shaped by personal loss, classical inspiration, and a pa…
Level C1PoetryKatydid's PoemsDelicate and heartfelt verses capture the natural beauty and tender emotions of life, weaving music and pure sentiment into each rhyme.
Level C2PoetryKathrina—A PoemA lyrical tribute to womanhood unfolds through vivid memories of childhood, love, and loss, tracing a soul’s journey from innocent hope to profound despair amid the beauty and tria…
PoetryJuvenile Sports; or, Youth's PastimesDive into lively verses celebrating the joys and adventures of childhood play, capturing the spirited pastimes that shape youth in rhythmic poetry.
Level B2AdventureJunior High School Literature, Book 1Explore a rich collection of stories, poems, and ballads that inspire courage, loyalty, and love of nature and country, weaving American ideals into adventures from chivalry to mod…
Level C1PoetryJoyce KilmerDive into the heartfelt memoir and poems of a poet whose rich Irish-American heritage and soldierly spirit shape an inspiring chronicle of early 20th-century life and letters.
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 7Explore the beauty and craft of poetry through vivid nature scenes and rhythmic patterns, from golden daffodils dancing in the breeze to the quiet resilience of a mouse displaced b…
Level C1PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 6Amidst the siege of ancient Rome, brave Horatius stands defiant at the city gates, facing overwhelming odds to protect his homeland, its sacred temples, and the legacy of his ances…
Level A2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 5Explore a rich collection of poetry and stories that traverse history, myth, and adventure—from Jonathan Swift's mischievous youth to King Arthur's legendary quests and the daring…
Level C2PoetryJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 4Explore timeless poems and stirring stories that celebrate simple joys, noble character, and heroic deeds, weaving history, nature, and human spirit into a rich tapestry of verse a…
Level A2AdventureJourneys Through Bookland, Vol. 3Embark on a wondrous adventure through enchanted lands where pumpkins grow to surprising sizes, genies grant palaces, and curious creatures tell their tales.
Level C1HistoricalJohnson's Lives of the Poets — Volume 1Explore the intertwined lives of English poets, from the troubled Richard Savage to the pious Joseph Addison, as their stories reveal the trials, deceptions, and triumphs behind th…
PoetryJohnny Crow's PartyAnimals gather for lively tea parties, musical mishaps, and playful adventures in a whimsical garden where laughter and surprises bloom at every turn.
PoetryJohnny Crow's GardenStep into a whimsical garden where animals don hats, dance jigs, and share tales, all under the watchful eye of Johnny Crow.
Level C1PoetryJohn Smith, U.S.A.A homesick wanderer in London finds unexpected comfort in the common name "John Smith, U.
Level C2PoetryJohn Marr and Other PoemsAmidst the vast, stormy seas, sailors' voices from a bygone era rise again, evoking memories of camaraderie, duty, and the relentless challenges of life at sea.
Level C1PoetryJohn Greenleaf Whittier: His Life, Genius, and WritingsExplore the life and spirit of a humble yet fearless Quaker poet who championed human rights and New England’s rugged beauty, turning his convictions and experiences into stirring…
Level C1PoetryJohn Greenleaf Whittier: A sketch of his life, with selected poemsExplore the humble Quaker homestead where a poet’s spirit is shaped by solitude, steadfast ideals, and the harsh New England landscape.
Level C2PoetryJinglesExplore a heartfelt collection of poems that capture the nuances of parting and the emotions woven into farewells, inviting reflection on life's transitions and the echoes they lea…
Level C2HistoricalJerusalem DeliveredAs Christian knights unite under Godfrey's command to reclaim Jerusalem, divine forces and earthly valor collide in a soaring tale of faith, warfare, and sacred duty amid the Crusa…
Level A2AdventureJacky Dandy's DelightFollow Jacky Dandy’s lively journey through a bustling fair filled with wild beasts, playful animals, and charming birds, where each encounter reveals a new wonder and delight.
Level C1AdventureJack the Giant KillerIn a world where giants roam and griffins soar, a fearless young hero trains to face monstrous foes and win glory.
Level C1PoetryJack and the Bean-Stalk: English HexametersA lazy boy trades his cow for magic beans that grow into a towering beanstalk leading to a mysterious island guarded by a fearsome giant and his wife.
PoetryJack and Jill and Old Dame GillFollow the whimsical adventures of Jack, Jill, and Old Dame Gill in charming verses that capture timeless mischief and playful rhyme.
PoetryJack and Jill and Old Dame GillJoin Jack, Jill, Old Dame Gill, and their lively companions as they dance and play through this charming, illustrated collection of joyful rhymes and jigs.
PoetryJack Jingle, and Sucky ShingleDive into a playful world of rhythm and rhyme where Jack Jingle and Sucky Shingle come to life through charming verses that invite you to explore their whimsical adventures.
PoetryIt Was the Road to JerichoJourney along the Road to Jericho, where each poem unveils vivid imagery and profound reflections, capturing the timeless spirit of a path laden with history and emotion.
Level C1HistoricalIsmael; an oriental tale. With other poemsA youthful poet, barely in his teens, offers a vivid collection of early verses bursting with imagination and sincerity, capturing the spirit of his time and the passion of a buddi…
Level C1PoetryIrradiations; Sand and SprayDive into a poetic exploration that challenges traditional forms, revealing rhythm and cadence as the true heart of verse.
Level C1HistoricalIreton, a PoemJourney to the birthplace of General Ireton as this poem explores the moral and political struggles of England's great Civil War reformers, delving into the clash between monarchy…
Level C2PoetryIonicaExplore a collection of 85 poems blending classical scholarship with personal reflection, tracing a scholar's journey from boyhood to intellectual maturity amidst themes of home, r…
Level C2PoetryIoläus: The man that was a ghostExplore a haunting collection of sonnets and poems that weave vivid imagery, spiritual reflection, and powerful symbolism, evoking the spirit of a new century through a rich tapest…
Level C1PoetryIntroducing Irony: A Book of Poetic Short Stories and PoemsDive into a world where poetic stories blur the lines between reality and imagination, featuring vivid characters like the enigmatic Geroid Latour and a haunting dreamscape of emot…
Level C1HistoricalInterpretations of Poetry and ReligionExplore the profound connection between poetry and religion as expressions of human ideals rather than factual truths, revealing how both shape our understanding of life, morality,…
Level C1PoetryInterludes: being Two Essays, a Story, and Some VersesExplore the art and challenge of criticism as it dissects literary and artistic judgments, revealing why fair critique is both necessary and often resented in society.
Level C2PoetryInebriety and The CandidateExplore the intoxicating power of drink as it weaves through society’s ranks, from rustic jesters to noble halls, revealing both the folly and frenzy that sway reason and ignite fi…
Level C2PoetryIndian and Other TalesJourney through vivid landscapes and tender lives, from mystical forests and tropical seas to the struggles of a devoted mother and the harsh realities faced by weary bullocks, all…
Level C2PoetryIndian Poetry: Containing "The Indian Song of Songs," from the Sanskrit of the Gîta Govinda of Jayadeva, Two books from "The Iliad Of India" (Mahábhárata), "Proverbial Wisdom" from the Shlokas of the Hitopadesa, and other Oriental Poems.Explore the rich tapestry of ancient Indian culture through sacred songs, epic tales from the Mahábhárata, and timeless proverbs that reveal the spiritual and social essence of a c…
Level C1PoetryIndian Legends of MinnesotaVenture into Minnesota's wild landscapes where ancient Sioux and Ojibway legends come alive, weaving tales of love, war, and mystery tied to lakes, forests, and sacred sites.
Level C1PoetryIndian Legends and Other PoemsExplore rich Native American legends and haunting historical tales woven into poetic form, from warrior spirits and phantom brides to tragic falls and ancient judgments, capturing…