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 C1PoetryAutumnal leaves: tales and sketches in prose and rhymeIn a world divided by class and beauty, a young man’s admiration for a humble, radiant nursery maid challenges societal norms and sparks quiet rebellion against convention and prej…
Level C1PoetryAutumn Leaves: Original Pieces in Prose and VerseIn a quiet New England town, a mysterious old man and a lively group in vintage attire gather to revive Christmas traditions in a warmly decorated church, sparking wonder in a loca…
Level C1PoetryAutumn LeavesExplore the cycles of life and hope through heartfelt poems that reflect on love, loss, and renewal amid nature’s changing seasons.
Level C1PoetryAurora LeighA passionate poet reflects on life, art, and society through intimate letters and verse, unveiling the struggles and aspirations of a woman navigating Victorian England’s literary…
PoetryAunt Kitty's StoriesDive into a whimsical collection of nursery rhymes and playful verses that bring to life charming animals, mischievous children, and timeless tales, perfect for sparking imaginatio…
Level A2PoetryAunt Friendly's Picture Book.: Containing Thirty-six Pages of Pictures Printed in Colours by KronheimDelight in vivid, colorful tales where clever pigs outwit a hungry wolf and a resourceful cat in boots transforms the fortunes of his poor master through wit and charm.
Level A2PoetryAunt Affable's Story of Old Mother Bantry and Her CatOld Mother Bantry’s mischievous cat, Grip, causes playful chaos from stealing fish to unexpected adventures, until a mysterious disappearance and return reveal a tale of loyalty an…
Level C1PoetryAuld Lang Syne: Selections from the Papers of the "Pen and Pencil Club"Immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of heartfelt poetry exploring the human soul, love, faith, and the delicate interplay of light and shadow, as voices from the Pen and Pencil Clu…
Level C1RomanceAucassin and NicoletteIn a medieval tale blending prose and verse, forbidden love unfolds between Aucassin and Nicolette amidst cultural clashes and enchanting adventures, inviting readers into a tender…
Level C1RomanceAucassin and NicoleteIn a unique blend of prose and verse, a Christened knight and a captive lady defy faith and fortune in a tender, humorous tale of love’s trials and joys.
Level B2PoetryAtlanta offering: PoemsPowerful poems confront harsh realities and injustice, giving voice to pain and resilience through vivid, poignant reflections inspired by true events.
Level C2PoetryAtalanta in CalydonIn a land cursed by a vengeful goddess, a fierce hunt unfolds as heroes and a remarkable maiden unite to face a devastating wild boar ravaging Calydon.
Level A2PoetryAt the Sign of the Sphinx. Second seriesStep into a world of enigmatic verses where each poem unfolds like a riddle, inviting you to unlock hidden meanings beneath the mysterious sign of the Sphinx.
PoetryAt the SeasideDiscover the charms of coastal life through vivid, rhythmic poetry that captures the beauty and wonder of the seaside, inviting readers to explore its sights, sounds, and moods in…
Level C1PoetryAt Sundown, and other poems: Part 5 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierExplore a collection of evocative poems blending nature’s quiet moments with stirring reflections on history, faith, and human resilience, capturing the spirit of winter’s hush, th…
Level C1PoetryAt Minas Basin, and Other PoemsImmerse yourself in vivid landscapes and timeless legends from the Basin of Minas, where nature’s beauty and myth intertwine through evocative poetry that captures the spirit of se…
Level C2PoetryAstrophel and Other Poems: Taken from The Collected Poetical Works of Algernon Charles: Swinburne, Vol. VIExplore a rich tapestry of emotion and imagery through a collection of evocative poems that traverse themes of love, nature, loss, and remembrance, inspired by timeless landscapes…
Level C1HistoricalAstronomical Lore in ChaucerExplore the medieval world where celestial movements govern daily life and fate, intertwining astronomy and astrology in poetry.![Cover of As Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and Poem by G. Thompson [Editor] Hutchinson](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da8pd0lnmvfc73bifsd0.webp)
Level C1PoetryAs Time Glides On: The Months in Picture and PoemJourney through the year with vivid poems and pictures that celebrate the changing seasons, from the frozen stillness of January to the blooming promise of spring and the golden ha…
Level C1RomanceArthur: A Short Sketch of His Life and History in English Verse of the First Half of the Fifteenth CenturyWitness the rise of a noble king who forges the legendary Round Table, conquers distant lands, and faces betrayal in a tale woven from early English verse that unveils Arthur’s val…
PoetryArtful AnticksWhimsical poems and playful fables bring to life a cast of cunning animals and fanciful creatures, weaving humor and charm through their artful antics and woodland adventures.
Level C2PoetryArtemis to Actaeon, and Other VersesDive into a world where gods and mortals intertwine, exploring the fragile boundary between divine immortality and human experience through evocative verses that awaken ancient myt…
Level C2PoetryArs Amatoria; or, The Art Of Love: Literally Translated into English Prose, with Copious NotesMaster the art of love with guidance from a seasoned poet who reveals how to find, win, and keep the affection of Rome’s most captivating women, navigating desire with wit and wisd…
Level C2PoetryAround the Boree Log, and Other VersesStep into the warmth of an Australian bushfire’s glow, where memories, stories, and timeless hospitality gather around the boree log, rekindling the spirit of home, friendship, and…
Level C1PoetryArmenian Literature: Comprising Poetry, Drama, Folk-lore and Classic Traditions;Explore the rich tapestry of ancient Armenian life through its surviving poetry, drama, and folklore, revealing a culture shaped by early Christianity, heroic legends, and the ming…
PoetryArmenia immolataIn a landscape scarred by sacrifice and struggle, powerful verses evoke the resilience and tragic beauty of a land caught in the flames of history.
Level C1PoetryArmazindy: The Poems and Prose Sketches of James Whitcomb RileyTwo young editors preparing their school paper encounter a mysterious, refined old printer who claims to know Charles Dickens and insists on writing through the night, inspired by…
Level C1HistoricalAre these Things So? (1740) The Great Man's Answer to Are These things So: (1740)A fierce pamphlet war erupts in 1740, with anonymous verse and sharp political attacks targeting Robert Walpole's ministry.
Level C2PoetryArdours and Endurances; Also, A Faun's Holiday & Poems and PhantasiesExplore a profound journey through war's trials, nature's whimsy, and the depths of imagination, where poetry reveals the shared human spirit and the rhythms of thought that shape…
Level C2PoetryApril twilights, and other poemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that journey through seasons, landscapes, and timeless emotions, capturing moments from tender family memories to the quiet beauty of nature…
Level C2PoetryApollo and Marsyas, and Other PoemsExplore a collection of evocative poems that blend myth, personal reflection, and dramatic imagery, capturing moods and moments with sincere and powerful expression.
Level C2PoetryAntinous: A PoemEmperor Hadrian mourns the death of Antinous, his beloved youth whose beauty and love once filled his empire with passion.
Level C1HistoricalAntimachus of Colophon and the Position of Women in Greek Poetry: A fragment printed for the use of scholarsExplore the transformation in Greek poetry’s portrayal of love and women, tracing the shift from male-male affection in early works to the romantic ideal of male-female love in Ale…
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems and Songs of Labor and Reform, Complete: Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPassionate poems and stirring songs confront the brutal realities of slavery and celebrate the courage of those who fight for freedom and reform.
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 3.: Part 3 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmidst the silent city of Derne, Christian slaves endure captivity while a daring rescue unfolds, revealing the fierce struggle for freedom and the profound sacrifices made in the…
Level C2PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 2.: Part 2 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierAmid rising tensions over Texas annexation and slavery, impassioned poems rally a call to freedom, urging unity and resistance against oppression.
Level C1PoetryAnti-Slavery Poems 1.: Part 1 From Volume III of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierPowerful poems give voice to the fight against slavery and oppression, celebrating heroes like William Lloyd Garrison and Toussaint L’Ouverture while stirring the conscience with v…![Cover of Anti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden by Harold Whitmore [Editor] Jones](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/daeois8e1ofc73dh7fqg.webp)
Level C2PoetryAnti-Achitophel (1682): Three Verse Replies to Absalom and Achitophel by John DrydenThree poetic replies challenge a famous verse allegory, offering sharp political and moral counterpoints through allegorical verse and satire.
FantasyAnother Brownie BookTiny Brownies embark on whimsical adventures from building snowmen and racing yachts to exploring orchards and celebrating holidays, inviting readers into a magical world filled wi…
Level C1HistoricalAnna Seward, and Classic LichfieldExplore the life and legacy of Anna Seward, England’s celebrated 18th-century poetess, as her story intertwines with the historic city of Lichfield and its rich literary and eccles…
Level B1PoetryAnimal Children: The Friends of the Forest and the PlainDiscover a charming world where playful animal children of the forest and plain come to life with wit and whimsy, inviting young readers to meet their furry, feathered, and finned…
Level C1PoetryAnimal Analogues: Verses and IllustrationsWhimsical verses playfully compare animals and plants through clever wordplay and charming illustrations, inviting readers to explore nature’s quirky connections with humor and ima…
Level C2PoetryAndromeda, and Other PoemsA coastal kingdom faces ruin as a monstrous sea creature demands a royal sacrifice to appease the gods, setting the stage for a tale of divine wrath, pride, and fate entwined with…
Level C1PoetryAndreas: The Legend of St. AndrewA devout churchman’s epic unfolds the legendary journey of St.
Level C1PoetryAncient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of EnglandDiscover the heartfelt poems, ballads, and songs passed down through generations of English peasants, capturing their joys, struggles, and traditions through oral tales and rare ma…
Level C1PoetryAncient Nahuatl Poetry, Containing the Nahuatl Text of XXVII Ancient Mexican Poems: Brinton's Library of Aboriginal American Literature Number VII.Delve into the rich world of ancient Nahuatl poetry, where sacred songs and vibrant dances reveal the passionate cultural heritage of the Nahuas, their artistic devotion, and the e…
Level C1PoetryAncient Ballads and Legends of HindustanImmerse yourself in the mystical world of ancient Indian songs and legends, reimagined in exquisite English verse by a gifted young poetess whose life bridged the rich cultures of…
Level C1HistoricalAn odeCelebrate the rich history and spirit of Boston through a stirring poem delivered at the city's centennial, capturing the pride and perseverance of its people on a landmark Septemb…