Poetry
Read Poetry Classics in English
1,681 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 Nala and Damayanti and Other Poems, Myth and Romance: Being a Book of Verses and Myra's Well: A Tale of All-Hallow-E'en. 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 B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 1878A young chorister struggles under the exacting tutelage of a stern choir-master whose high expectations spark jealousy and hardship, but also inspire growth, hope, and unexpected b…
Level B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 2, December, 1877A determined boy battles a fierce tide in his little skiff, striving to prove his manhood and keep control against overwhelming odds, while unexpected encounters on the water hint…
Level B2AdventureSt. Nicholas, Vol. 13, No. 10, August 1886Isolated in a solitary cabin deep within Wyoming's Rocky Mountains, a lone hermit embraces the wild with only his horse and dog for company, sharing the rugged beauty and challenge…
Level C1HistoricalSt Baldred of the Bass, a Pictish legendIn a turbulent era of Pictish kings and war, a devout disciple of Saint Kentigern retreats to the solitude of the Bass island, performing miracles and inspiring fierce loyalty amon…
Level B2PoetrySpun-yarn and SpindriftExplore a world where angels wait patiently and memories of distant homelands sing through the verses.
Level B2PoetrySpring BlossomsCelebrate the joys of spring and the innocence of childhood through vibrant poems that teach kindness, virtue, and the beauty of nature, while introducing timeless characters like…
Level C2PoetrySprays of ShamrockImmerse yourself in a vivid collection of poems that evoke the landscapes, legends, and spirit of Ireland, from tranquil lakes to ancient hills.
Level C1PoetrySpoon River AnthologyVoices from a small town rise from their graves, revealing secrets, regrets, and passions that shaped their lives.
Level C1PoetrySplores of a Halloween, Twenty Years AgoVivid verses recall a Halloween from twenty years past, blending nostalgia with haunting imagery as the poet challenges conventional tastes to reveal the deeper literary spirit beh…
Level C1PoetrySpider-webs in Verse: A Collection of Lyrics for Leisure Moments, Spun at Idle HoursReflect on the delicate interplay between life's fleeting moments and deeper ideals through a collection of lyrical verses crafted during quiet, idle hours.
Level C1PoetrySpenser's The Faerie Queene, Book IAmid the vibrant England of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, a revival of chivalry and national pride sparks an epic allegory of ideal knighthood, weaving romance, classical learning, and…
Level C1PoetrySpenser's Faerie Queene, Vol. 1 (of 2)Enter a richly imagined realm where knights embark on quests embodying virtues, encountering enchantments and allegories that weave a tapestry of morality and chivalry in an epic p…
Level C1PoetrySpenserExplore the rise of English poetry through the life of a pioneering poet whose work bridges the gap between medieval tradition and Renaissance brilliance, laying the foundation for…
Level C1RomanceSpeculum Amantis: Love Poems, from Rare Songbooks and Miscellanies of the Seventeenth CenturyDiscover a provocative collection of seventeenth-century love poems, ranging from audacious dedications to rare verses hidden in forgotten miscellanies, revealing the shifting boun…
Level C1PoetrySpecimens with Memoirs of the Less-known British Poets, CompleteExplore the dawn of English poetry through the lives and works of lesser-known British poets, tracing the rise of literary tradition from early Christian missionaries to the first…
Level C1PoetrySpecimens of the Table Talk of Samuel Taylor ColeridgeEnter the intimate world of a brilliant mind through vivid recollections of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s conversations, where profound thoughts and eloquent expressions reveal his uni…
Level C1HistoricalSpecimens of the Russian poets, vol. 2 (of 2)Explore the rise of Russian poetry amid a vast empire's quest for civilization, power, and liberty.
Level C1HistoricalSpecimens of the Russian poets, vol. 1 (of 2)Discover the early sparks of Russian poetic genius as this collection unveils the works and lives of pioneering poets who shaped a nascent literary tradition emerging from centurie…
Level C1PoetrySoutherly BustersVividly capturing the rugged life of the Australian bush, these poems blend humor and hardship through the eyes of wanderers and jackeroos, offering a raw and heartfelt glimpse int…
Level C2PoetrySonnets, and Sonnets on English Dramatic Poets (1590-1650): Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne, Vol V.Dive into a collection of sonnets that pay tribute to the towering figures and anonymous voices of English dramatic poetry from 1590 to 1650, revealing the passion and power behind…
Level C2PoetrySonnets on Sundry Notes of MusicPassion and heartache intertwine in these sonnets, where love’s triumphs and trials unfold through vivid pastoral scenes and heartfelt confessions.
PoetrySonnets of a Budding BardWhimsical sonnets capture playful thoughts on schooldays, family quirks, and everyday adventures, blending humor and heartfelt musings in charming verse.
Level C2PoetrySonnets of Shakespeare's GhostA poetic spirit defends the heartfelt truth behind his sonnets, exploring themes of love, beauty, and faith through intimate verses that challenge critics and celebrate profound af…
Level C2RomanceSonnets from the PortugueseA weary singer finds her solitary world transformed by a princely heart whose music and presence awaken deep love and longing, defying distance, fate, and even death itself.
Level C1PoetrySonnets from the PatagonianAmidst the turmoil of war and fading empires, a poet reflects on beauty, soul, and the true battleground beyond guns and armies.
Level C1PoetrySonnets from a prison campA soldier's soul clings to poetry as a lifeline amid the harsh realities of captivity during war.
Level C1PoetrySonnets by the Nawab Nizamat Jung BahadurExplore a collection of sonnets born from a life bridging Hyderabad and England, where deep emotions meet the disciplined art of poetry, reflecting timeless truths and the noble sp…
Level C1PoetrySonnets and madrigals of Michelangelo BuonarrotiDiscover the profound inner world of a master sculptor through his sonnets and madrigals, where each verse is crafted with the same intense passion and precision as his art, reveal…
Level C2PoetrySonnets and VerseExplore a rich tapestry of sonnets, lyrical poems, ballades, and epigrams that delve into themes from nature and history to society and personal reflection, all woven with wit, dep…
PoetrySonnets and SongsExplore a rich collection of sonnets and songs that weave themes of love, loss, nature, and aspiration into lyrical beauty.
Level C2PoetrySonnets and Other VerseExplore timeless themes of change, beauty, and human endeavor through a rich collection of sonnets and verses that reflect on life's fleeting nature, the pursuit of truth, and the…
Level C1PoetrySonnets and CanzonetsExplore heartfelt sonnets and canzonets that bridge youth and age, celebrating timeless truths, noble souls, and the enduring spirit of poetry through reflections on friendship, vi…
Level C1PoetrySongs, Sonnets & Miscellaneous PoemsExplore intimate reflections and vivid landscapes through heartfelt songs, sonnets, and verses crafted for private joy, revealing the quiet passions of an artist-poet who cherished…
Level C2PoetrySongs, Merry and SadExplore the tender moments of love, loss, and memory through evocative verses that celebrate marriage, nature, and the bittersweet passage of time.
Level C2PoetrySongs out of DoorsImmerse yourself in lyrical celebrations of nature’s melodies, where birdsong and the changing seasons evoke tender memories and quiet reflections on life’s fleeting beauty.
Level C1PoetrySongs of the unblind CupidExplore a collection of evocative poems that weave themes of love, youth, and nature through vivid imagery and heartfelt verse, capturing the tender complexities of the human heart…
PoetrySongs of the shining wayEmbark on a lyrical journey through enchanting landscapes and fleeting moments, where each poem invites you to explore the delicate beauty and wonder of nature and imagination alon…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the cattle trail and cow campExperience the rugged life of cowboys through authentic songs and poems collected from the cattle trails and cow camps, capturing the spirit, challenges, and camaraderie of the Ame…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Springtides and Birthday Ode: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne—Vol. IIIDive into evocative odes and ballads that echo with historical reverence and poetic defiance, capturing moments of grandeur and solemn reflection amid shifting tides of time and me…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Silent World, and Other PoemsExplore profound reflections on love, loss, and the unseen bonds that transcend death through evocative poems that give voice to the silent world beyond life’s reach.
Level C1PoetrySongs of the Sea and Lays of the LandDive into vivid ballads capturing the adventurous spirit of old sailing mariners and eccentric post-war American life, blending authentic sailors’ lore with tales of shipwrecks, di…
Level C1HistoricalSongs of the RidingsExplore the vivid lives and dialects of Yorkshire peasants and artisans through dramatic monologues that capture their unique outlooks, habits, and voices—bringing to light a vibra…
Level C1PoetrySongs of the Mexican SeasVenture into a mysterious, untamed land where the sea and forest hold secrets of ancient nature and fierce human struggles, unveiling a world untouched by law or civilization, shap…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Glens of AntrimImmerse yourself in the heartfelt songs and vivid landscapes of Ireland’s Glens of Antrim, where love, longing, and the rhythms of rural life unfold in the local dialect and tender…
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Common Day, and, Ave!: An Ode for the Shelley CentenaryImmerse yourself in vivid sonnets celebrating the rhythms of common outdoor life, alongside a stirring ode honoring the spirit of Shelley’s birth centenary.
Level C2PoetrySongs of the Army of the NightA passionate collection of poems captures the harsh realities of labor, poverty, and social injustice across England, Australia, and beyond, giving voice to the dispossessed and th…
Level C1HistoricalSongs of love and empireExplore a collection of stirring poems that weave together themes of love, honor, and empire, capturing moments from Trafalgar to Waterloo and reflections on peace and loyalty to t…
Level B2PoetrySongs of a SavoyardWitty and sharp, these poems offer a satirical glimpse into human nature, society, and identity—from stubborn English pride to the quirks of disagreeable men—blending humor and ref…