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 C1RomanceIndia's Love LyricsPassion and longing intertwine in a vivid tapestry of love poems set against the sunlit landscapes and ancient temples of India, where desire blooms transiently beneath the poppies…
Level C1PoetryIn this our worldExplore the pulse of life and society through a powerful collection of poems that delve into birth, nature, heroism, and the struggles of modern existence, weaving reflections on d…
Level B2PoetryIn the Yule-Log Glow, Book II: Christmas Tales from 'Round the WorldIn a harsh castle on the Rhine, the cruel Baron von Schrochslofsleschshoffinger squeezes his tenants dry, but his kind-hearted daughter Bertha secretly aids the oppressed—while a m…
Level C1PoetryIn the Yule-Log Glow, Book I: Christmas Tales from 'Round the WorldStep into a cozy common-room where travelers from across the globe share enchanting Christmas tales by the warming Yule-log glow.
Level C1PoetryIn the Saddle: A Collection of Poems on Horseback-RidingExperience the thrill and beauty of horseback riding through a diverse collection of poems that capture the bond between rider and horse, epic journeys, and timeless tales of adven…
Level A2PoetryIn the Nursery: Happy Hours for the Little OnesWhimsical poems and charming tales bring to life talking animals, playful children, and their joyful adventures on the farm.
PoetryIn the Land of Dakota: A Little Book of North Dakota VerseExplore the spirit and landscape of North Dakota through vivid verse that captures its seasons, sunsets, history, and heartfelt reflections on life in the prairie land.
Level C1PoetryIn the Great Steep's GardenExplore the delicate beauty of alpine flora through vivid, detailed poems that capture the spirit of mountain landscapes and their rare, enchanting wildflowers.
Level C1PoetryIn the Days When the World Was Wide, and Other VersesExplore the rugged Australian outback through vivid verses that capture friendship, hardship, and the spirit of a wide, untamed world.
Level C1PoetryIn memoriamA profound poetic journey through grief and remembrance unfolds, exploring the depths of loss and the enduring bonds of memory.
Level C2PoetryIn Various Moods: Poems and VersesExplore a rich tapestry of poems that celebrate the spirit of learning, the power of faith, and humanity’s relentless quest for progress, weaving together history, hope, and timele…
Level C1PoetryIn The Yule-Log Glow—Book 3: Christmas Poems from 'round the WorldStep into a cozy Yule-log gathering where timeless Christmas poems and carols from around the world come alive, evoking the warmth, goodwill, and festive spirit shared beneath snow…
Level C1PoetryIn The Yule-Log Glow, Book IVStep into a festive world where ancient carols, heartfelt hymns, and timeless Christmas ceremonies come alive through a rich collection of poetry and song, capturing the spirit and…
Level C2PoetryIn The Seven Woods: Being Poems Chiefly of the Irish Heroic AgeAmid the ancient whispers of the Seven Woods, a weary queen awakens to a mysterious summons from a shadowy king, stirring forgotten powers and stirring a timeless struggle woven wi…
Level A2PoetryIn My NurseryDelight in a charming collection of playful and tender rhymes that capture the whimsy and wonder of childhood moments, from first teeth to bedtime songs, inviting young readers int…
Level C2PoetryIn Memorabilia MortisAs autumn deepens, the year’s fading light casts a reflective shadow over nature’s decline, weaving dreams of love, loss, and memory in a garden where beauty and desire linger beyo…
Level C1HistoricalIn MacaoIn the vibrant city of Macao, a chance encounter between an American heir and a mysterious Portuguese priest spirals into a deadly confrontation, unveiling secrets beneath the sunl…
Level B2PoetryIn Flanders Fields, and Other PoemsAmid the poppies of Flanders fields, the voices of fallen soldiers rise, urging the living to carry on their fight and honor their sacrifice through stirring, poignant verse that c…
Level C1PoetryIn Divers TonesA medley of heartfelt poems weaves through themes of nationhood, nature, and human experience, blending solemn reflection with bursts of lyric beauty.
Level B2PoetryImpertinent PoemsWitty and reflective poems tackle everyday struggles, social quirks, and the human spirit with a playful yet profound voice.
Level C1PoetryImaginary Conversations and Poems: A SelectionStep into a vivid dialogue between warriors Hannibal and Marcellus on the battlefield’s edge, where honor, power, and fate intertwine amid the looming clash of Rome and Carthage.
Level C1RomanceIf Only etc.A young doctor impulsively marries Bella, a charming and innocent music-hall performer, hoping for love amidst uncertain futures and the challenges of new family ties.
PoetryIdylls of the Skillet ForkExperience rural life and rustic charm through a series of bucolic poems that capture the humor, trials, and traditions of small-town characters along the Skillet Fork.
Level C2RomanceIdylls of the KingAmid a land torn by war and wilderness, a young king rises to unite fractured kingdoms and tame wild beasts threatening his people.
Level C1PoetryIdylls of the BibleExplore a lush garden where a rose tree’s wish to transform every flower into a rose reveals a profound lesson about individuality, purpose, and the beauty found in diversity.
Level C2PoetryIdyllic Monologues: Old and New World VersesDive into a rich tapestry of verses that blend old and new worlds, capturing heroic deeds, timeless tales, and quiet moments of nature’s beauty.
Level C1PoetryIdle Hour StoriesCaught in a fierce storm at a remote train station, a weary station-master faces eerie isolation and a mysterious coffin that seems to demand his watchful attention—setting the sta…
Level C1HistoricalIberia Won; A poem descriptive of the Peninsular War: With impressions from recent visits to the battle-grounds, and copious historical and illustrative notesImmerse yourself in vivid poetic reflections and firsthand accounts of the Peninsular War, tracing the relentless British campaign across Spain and Portugal’s battlefields.
Level C1HistoricalI. Beówulf: an Anglo-Saxon poem. II. The fight at Finnsburh: a fragment.Dive into the heroic world of Beowulf, where ancient battles and legendary feats shape the fate of kingdoms.
Level C1PoetryI. Beowulf: an Anglo-Saxon poem. II. The fight at Finnsburh: a fragment.Dive into the epic world of heroic deeds and ancient battles as warriors confront monsters and fate in a timeless Anglo-Saxon saga, enriched with detailed scholarly notes and lingu…
Level C1PoetryHymns, Songs, and Fables, for Young PeopleDelight in a collection of hymns, songs, and fables crafted to inspire and entertain children, blending joyous and thoughtful themes that nurture young minds with lessons of faith,…
Level B2PoetryHymns and PoemsExplore heartfelt hymns and poems that offer comfort and hope to the weary and humble, weaving sacred themes of sacrifice, resurrection, and faith into verses meant to uplift every…
Level C1PoetryHumorous Readings and Recitations, in Prose and VerseStep into a world of wit and whimsy with a curated collection of humorous readings and recitations that range from time-honored favorites to fresh delights, perfect for enlivening…
Level C2PoetryHudibras, in Three Parts, Written in the Time of the Late WarsDive into a sharp and witty poetic journey set amid the turmoil of civil wars, where natural genius and learned insight collide to craft a timeless satire on human folly and confli…
Level B2PoetryHow to tell the Birds from the Flowers, and other Wood-cuts: A Revised Manual of Flornithology for BeginnersDelight in whimsical verses that playfully unravel the confusions between birds and flowers, blending nature’s wonders with humor and keen observation.
Level B2PoetryHow to Tell the Birds from the Flowers: A Manual of Flornithology for BeginnersPlayful verses and witty observations guide you through distinguishing birds from flowers, revealing nature’s charming quirks and surprising connections in a whimsical manual for c…
PoetryHow She Felt in Her First Corset, and Other PoemsExperience tender moments and heartfelt reflections through poems exploring love, growth, and life's simple truths, from a young woman's first corset to the bonds of family and the…
HistoricalHow Rifleman Brown Came to ValhallaAmid the turmoil of war, a rifleman’s journey unfolds, blending courage and fate as he confronts the battlefield’s brutal reality.
Level C1HistoricalHow Lisa Loved the KingIn medieval Palermo, a young merchant’s daughter named Lisa becomes captivated by King Pedro of Aragon, embodying chivalry and heroism, as festive tournaments stir dreams of noble…
Level C1PoetryHours of childhood, and other poemsA heartfelt collection of poems born from youthful labor and modest means, capturing the innocence of childhood, the warmth of a mother's love, and patriotic devotion.
Level C2PoetryHoræ NauseæDive into a rich tapestry of poetic translations and original verses, where maritime imagery and witty reflections blend to explore friendship, cuisine, and the human spirit on the…
Level C2PoetryHorizons and landmarksExplore evocative poems that capture the rhythms of life and the haunting beauty of unknown shores, where melody and melancholy intertwine in vivid reflections on nature and the hu…
Level C1HistoricalHoraceBorn to humble origins, a young Roman poet rises through education and philosophy amidst the turbulent aftermath of Caesar’s assassination, forging his path alongside history's gre…
Level C1PoetryHoosier LyricsDiscover a charming collection of witty and heartfelt poems that capture the spirit of Indiana life with humor, imagination, and a touch of nostalgia, inviting readers into a world…
Level C1PoetryHomes and Haunts of the Most Eminent British Poets, Vol. 2 (of 2)Explore the vivid homes and haunts of Britain's greatest poets, where intimate portraits reveal the real lives behind the verses.
Level C1HistoricalHomes and Haunts of the Most Eminent British Poets, Vol. 1 (of 2)Explore the vanished homes and vivid haunts of Britain's greatest poets, tracing their lives through the remnants and stories left behind.
Level C1HistoricalHomer: The Iliad; The OdysseyStep into the world of ancient Greece where gods and heroes clash in epic battles and long journeys.
Level C1HistoricalHomer's Odyssey: A CommentaryEmbark on the profound journey of Ulysses, the resourceful hero who, after the fall of Troy, faces not just physical trials but a deeper spiritual quest for restoration, wisdom, an…