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 C1PoetryThe Tent on the Beach, and other poems: Part 4 from Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf WhittierThree friends retreat to a windswept New Hampshire beach, blending scholarly reflection with vivid seaside legends and personal dreams, as they find escape and inspiration amid nat…
Level C2PoetryThe Temple of Nature; or, the Origin of Society: A Poem, with Philosophical NotesExplore the origins of life, love, and society through vivid, imaginative scenes blending mythology, nature, and philosophy.
Level C2PoetryThe Temple of GlassHaunted by sorrow, a weary soul drifts into a mysterious glass temple filled with vivid paintings of legendary lovers and tragic tales, inviting a journey through timeless stories…
Level C1PoetryThe Task, and Other PoemsExplore serene rural landscapes and intimate friendships through vivid blank verse, as a poet reflects on nature, companionship, and gentle humor inspired by everyday moments and c…
Level C2PoetryThe Talisman, from the Russian of Alexander Pushkin; With Other PiecesIn a world of mystic forces and haunting beauty, a sorceress gifts a powerful talisman to a young man, promising protection against deceit and danger.
Level C2PoetryThe Tales and Novels, v9: Belphegor and OthersIn a cunning blend of hellish intrigue and earthly desire, a demon named Belphegor ventures to Florence to unravel the secrets—and scandals—of human marriage, wielding charm, decep…
Level C2PoetryThe Tale of the ArgonautsHeroes unite aboard the Argo, embarking on a perilous quest for the Golden Fleece that pits them against treacherous seas, divine plots, and legendary foes.
Level C1PoetryThe Tale of Brynild, and King Valdemar and His Sister: Two BalladsIn a land where pride and peril intertwine, a fearless knight dares to conquer the treacherous Glass Hill to win the hand of proud Brynild, while royal intrigues unfold as King Val…
Level C2PoetryThe Tale of BalenIn the vibrant bloom of spring, a noble northern knight rides into Camelot, his spirit bright yet shadowed by looming doom.
Level C1PoetryThe Sylphs of the Season with Other PoemsJourney through a visionary realm where the seasons are ruled by ethereal sylphs, blending nature's beauty with poetic dreams and celestial encounters.
Level C1PoetryThe Suppressed Poems of Alfred Lord TennysonExplore a rare collection of poems penned during the peak of a celebrated poet's career but never republished, revealing early experiments, lyrical fragments, and suppressed verses…
Level C2PoetryThe Sunlit HoursImmerse yourself in a luminous garden where love blooms like radiant flowers, capturing moments of joy, faith, and soul-deep connection beneath sunlit skies.
Level A2PoetryThe Sugar-Plumb: or, Golden FairingAn enchanting alphabet poem invites children to explore letters through charming associations, while a fable in verse reveals the fleeting nature of joy as a boy chases a dazzling…
Level C1PoetryThe Sufistic Quatrains of Omar KhayyamExplore the profound quatrains of a philosopher-poet who blends Sufistic mysticism with sharp wit, moral reflection, and a quest for the eternal, challenging dogma while seeking di…
Level C1PoetryThe Sufism of the Rubáiyát, or, the Secret of the Great ParadoxExplore profound spiritual paradoxes through poetic reflections on the universe, the divine, and the hidden forces that transform matter into spirit, inviting seekers to uncover th…
Level B2PoetryThe Story of the Two BullsA peaceful deacon's life is upended when he buys a rival bull, sparking a fierce and chaotic battle that threatens his home and sanity.
Level C1PoetryThe Story of an Ostrich: An Allegory and Humorous Satire in Rhyme.Discover a witty and profound allegory where an ostrich’s folly reveals deeper truths about human nature, society, and the quest for harmony, all conveyed through charming rhyme an…
Level B2PoetryThe Story of a Pumpkin PieDelight in the charming journey of a pumpkin pie’s creation through playful verses and whimsical illustrations that capture the spirit of childhood fun, ingenuity, and wholesome ad…
Level B2HistoricalThe Story of TroyStep into the epic saga of brave warriors and divine beings as gods intervene in the legendary siege of Troy, weaving a timeless tale of heroism, betrayal, and fate that shaped anc…
Level C1FantasyThe Story of Sigurd the Volsung and the Fall of the NiblungsJourney through the heroic saga of Sigmund and his son Sigurd as they battle foes, forge legendary swords, and confront cursed treasures amidst gods and kings.
Level B2FantasyThe Story of Sigurd the VolsungEnter a world of ancient myths and heroic deeds, where valor and destiny intertwine in the saga of Sigurd the Volsung, a tale of legendary quests and timeless battles that shape th…
Level C2PoetryThe Story of Justin Martyr, and Other PoemsExplore a collection of reflective and spiritual poems that delve into themes of faith, struggle, and redemption, capturing moments of inner turmoil and transcendence through evoca…
Level B2PoetryThe Story of Hiawatha, Adapted from LongfellowAcross vast forests and prairies, tribes gather at the sacred Pipestone Quarry to forge peace under the Great Manito’s watchful gaze, while heroic Mudjekeewis embarks on a quest to…
Level B2RomanceThe Story and Song of Black RoderickA proud and brooding earl marries to unite clans, yet his cold heart turns away from the young bride who longs for love.
Level C1RomanceThe Stars in the Pool: A Prose Poem for LoversIn a realm of enchanted forests and a gleaming castle, a young sculptor named Flame arrives to win the heart of Princess Roseheart, whose beauty mirrors the dawn itself.
Level A2PoetryThe Square Book of AnimalsDiscover a charming collection of animal portraits brought to life through whimsical rhymes and elegant design, featuring familiar creatures from the loyal bulldog to the graceful…
Level C1PoetryThe Spook BalladsDive into a whimsical world of ghostly tales and eerie legends, where humor and haunting blend in lively, illustrated ballads that charm with both sprightly verse and clever wit.
Level A2PoetryThe Spawn of Ixion; Or, The 'Biter Bit.' An AllegoryDelve into a fiery allegory where myth and morality intertwine, revealing the consequences of hubris and the intricate dance of fate in a world forged by gods and men.
Level C1HistoricalThe Southern war poetry of the Civil WarExplore the powerful, heartfelt poetry born in the Confederate South during the Civil War, revealing the raw emotions and cultural spirit often overlooked in history.
Level C1PoetryThe Sonnets of Michael Angelo Buonarroti and Tommaso Campanella; Now for the First Time Translated into Rhymed EnglishExplore the profound sonnets of a Renaissance master and a daring philosopher, whose verses reveal a clash of artistic beauty and revolutionary ideas amid Italy's turbulent cultura…
Level C2PoetryThe SonnetsExplore timeless themes of beauty, love, and mortality through a series of intimate sonnets that urge the preservation of youth and legacy against the ravages of time.
Level B2RomanceThe Songs of a Sentimental BlokeA rough yet tender-hearted bloke navigates the struggles of working-class life, yearning for love and a better future amidst the vibrant streets and fleeting joys of springtime.
Level C2PoetryThe Songs of RanildAmidst knights dancing to celebrate a hard-won castle, Ranild Lang’s tale unfolds—a saga of loyalty, love, exile, and betrayal set against the backdrop of King Erik Erikson’s reign…
Level C2PoetryThe Song of the Sword, and Other VersesSteel sings its ancient song of honor and destiny, calling heroes to battle and glory in a fierce dance of war and will.
Level C1PoetryThe Song of the Flag: A National OdeExperience a passionate journey through lyrical landscapes where love, music, and nature intertwine in vivid odes and sonnets, capturing the triumph and redemption of the heart wit…
Level C1RomanceThe Song of RolandAs King Charles conquers Spain, the besieged pagan King Marsile plots peace through deceit, sending envoys bearing olive branches to negotiate while preparing for betrayal.
Level C1HistoricalThe Song of Lancaster, Kentucky: To the statesmen, soldiers, and citizens of Garrard County.Journey to the rugged wilderness of early Kentucky, where peaceful forests and native tribes give way to the fierce struggles of settlers and pioneers like Daniel Boone carving a n…
Level C1PoetryThe Song of HiawathaJourney into the rich legends of the Ojibway and other North American tribes through the haunting, lyrical tales sung by the musician Nawadaha, revealing the birth and deeds of Hia…
Level C2PoetryThe Song of Deirdra, King Byrge and his Brothers, and Other BalladsDive into tales of fierce loyalty, secret love, and daring feats as noble warriors and lovers navigate the wild landscapes and turbulent seas, where honor and danger intertwine in…
Level C2PoetryThe Song Celestial; Or, Bhagavad-Gîtâ (from the Mahâbhârata): Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of KrishnaAmid the looming battle of Kurukshetra, Prince Arjuna faces a profound moral crisis, prompting a divine discourse with Krishna on duty, righteousness, and the path to spiritual wis…
Level C1PoetryThe Song Book of Quong Lee of LimehouseIn the bustling Limehouse district, a shopkeeper surrounded by the scents of his homeland reflects on life, music, and fleeting encounters, revealing a poignant blend of cultural m…
Level C2PoetryThe Snowflake, and Other PoemsDelve into a collection of evocative quatrains that weave delicate imagery and thoughtful reflections, inviting readers to experience the subtle beauty and quiet moments captured i…
Level C1PoetryThe Snow-Drop: A Holiday GiftWritten from a place of solitude and inspired by nature’s gentle beauty, these heartfelt poems explore themes of loss, faith, and hope, inviting readers to find solace and reflecti…
Level B2PoetryThe Sleeping Beauty Picture BookA princess cursed to sleep for a hundred years awakens to a world transformed, where a brave prince must navigate enchanted thorns and a silent palace to break the spell and restor…
Level B2PoetryThe Slant BookA runaway go-cart careens down a steep hill, causing chaos and laughter as it collides with townsfolk, animals, and objects in a whirlwind adventure.
Level C2PoetryThe Sisters' Tragedy, with Other Poems, Lyrical and DramaticTwo sisters in 1670 share a profound, hidden grief over the same man’s death, revealing a quiet, tragic love that binds them in sorrow.
Level C1PoetryThe Singing Man: A Book of Songs and ShadowsA man sings the toil and triumph of labor under the sun, yet faces a world where others claim his hard-earned bread, leaving him broken and forgotten in mills, mines, and prisons.
Level C1HistoricalThe Silk-Hat Soldier, and Other Poems in War TimeAmid the stirring call to arms, men from every walk of life cast aside their peace and play to fight for England’s honor.