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 C1PoetryThe Ship of Fools, Volume 1A vivid satire unfolds aboard a ship filled with fools, each embodying human folly and vice in sharp verse and striking woodcuts.
Level C1AdventureThe Ship in the DesertJourney across the untamed American West reveals wild landscapes, fierce encounters, and the enduring spirit of pioneers forging paths through deserts, rivers, and unknown wilderne…
Level C2PoetryThe Shepheard's Calender: Twelve Aeglogues Proportionable to the Twelve MonethesJourney through a year of rustic life with pastoral poems that weave ancient language and timeless wisdom into tales of love, nature, and the seasons.
Level C2PoetryThe Shadow-EaterA defiant soul confronts inner demons and unyielding fate with fierce will and raw pain, transforming suffering into a relentless quest for eternity amid the shadows of self and ci…
Level C2PoetryThe Seven SeasExplore the vastness of the seas through stirring verses that chart the spirit of English maritime life, from bustling ports to the call of the ocean’s depths, capturing the enduri…
PoetryThe Seven Ages of ChildhoodExplore the journey from infancy to maturity through vivid, illustrated poems capturing the unique stages and emotions of childhood in seven distinct ages.
Level C2PoetryThe Serpent Knight, and Other BalladsEnchanting ballads weave tales of brave knights, mystical creatures, and fateful dances with elfin queens, blending romance and magic in a world where curses and secret identities…
Level C2PoetryThe Secrets of the Self (Asrar-i Khudi) — A Philosophical PoemA passionate call to embrace selfhood and individuality, this philosophical poem weaves Islamic spirituality with Western philosophy, urging Muslims to awaken, strengthen their ide…
Level C2PoetryThe Secret WayExplore hidden realms beyond ordinary thought through evocative poems and reflections that reveal mysterious, higher conditions of existence and the secret paths of the soul’s jour…
Level C1PoetryThe Second Book of Modern Verse: A Selection from the Work of Contemporaneous American PoetsExplore a rich collection of contemporary American poetry capturing the spirit and voices of the early 20th century, featuring diverse themes and styles from a vibrant generation o…
Level C2PoetryThe Scribleriad, and The Difference Between Verbal and Practical VirtueDive into a sharp poetic battle of wit and satire where literary rivals expose the clash between true virtue and false pretense.
Level C1PoetryThe Scarlet Gown: Being Verses by a St. Andrews ManImmerse yourself in the tranquil rhythms and heartfelt verses inspired by life in St.
Level C1PoetryThe Satires, Epistles, and Art of Poetry of HoraceDive into the sharp wit and timeless reflections of Roman satire and epistles, where playful persiflage meets profound insight.
Level C1PoetryThe Satires of Juvenal, Persius, Sulpicia, and Lucilius: Literally translated into English prose, with notes, chronological tables, arguments, &c.Scathing Roman satires expose the vices and follies of Domitian's court through the sharp wit of a poet who risks exile to speak truth to power.
Level C1FantasyThe San Francisco Fairy: A Tale of Early TimesA young maiden longing to win her lover's heart embarks on a mystical journey beneath the lake, where a giant fish leads her to the enchanting realm of the San Francisco Fairy and…
Level C1HistoricalThe Saint's TragedyIn a stirring historical drama, human passions and struggles unfold beyond mere moral lessons, inviting readers to explore timeless conflicts and the depths of conscience through v…
Level C1PoetryThe Rāmāyana, Volume 4. Uttara KāndaAfter defeating the demon king Rāvaṇa, Rāma is visited by revered sages who honor his triumph and discuss the restoration of order and righteousness in his kingdom.
Level C1PoetryThe Rāmāyana, Volume 3. YuddhakāndamAs Rāma rejoices at Hanumān's daring mission into the impenetrable city of Lankā, he faces the daunting challenge of crossing the vast ocean with his monkey allies to rescue Sītā.
PoetryThe Rāmāyana, Volume 2. Āranya, Kishkindhā, and Sundara KāndamJourney into the sacred forests where Rāma, Lakshmana, and Sita encounter ancient sages and mystical beings amidst holy asylums, setting the stage for epic adventures filled with s…
Level C2PoetryThe Rāmāyana, Volume 1. Bālakāndam and AyodhyākāndamIn a kingdom alive with joy, the noble prince Rāma faces exile into the forest, where love, loyalty, and righteousness are tested against the shadow of evil embodied by the fearsom…
Level C1PoetryThe Rubáiyát of a Persian KittenExplore whimsical verses that blend charm and humor through the eyes of a Persian kitten, inviting readers into a playful poetic world filled with delightful observations and gentl…
PoetryThe Rubáiyát of a BachelorWitty and insightful verses explore the bachelor’s observations on love, life, and society with charm and humor.
Level C2PoetryThe Rubáiyát of BridgeDive into a whimsical poetic journey through the thrills and frustrations of bridge, where strategy, chance, and camaraderie collide in a dance of cards and human folly.
PoetryThe Rubaiyat of a Huffy HusbandExplore a witty and whimsical collection of verses capturing the irritable musings and humorous reflections of a huffy husband, revealing the quirks and contradictions of domestic…
Level C1PoetryThe Rubaiyat of Omar KhayyamExplore the life and legacy of Omar Khayyam, a Persian astronomer-poet whose friendship with powerful figures and deep pursuit of knowledge shaped a remarkable era of science, poet…
HistoricalThe Rubaiyat of Omar CayenneDive into a rhythmic journey of numbered verses that invite reflection and mystery, blending history and poetry in an enigmatic tapestry of thoughts and images.
Level B2PoetryThe Royal Picture AlphabetExplore a whimsical alphabet where each letter unveils a vivid scene of childhood mischief, moral lessons, and gentle humor, encouraging young readers to learn through charming poe…
Level C1PoetryThe Rowley PoemsExplore the life of a brilliant, restless boy whose hunger for knowledge and mysterious parchments lead him to create imaginative verse and forge a legacy shrouded in intrigue and…
Level C1PoetryThe Rose-JarImmerse yourself in a collection of evocative poems that reflect on love, memory, nature, and the passage of time, each verse capturing fleeting moments and deep emotions with haun…
RomanceThe Rose of Dawn: A Tale of the South SeaIn the heart of the South Sea, a captivating romance unfolds amid exotic landscapes and untamed nature, where passion and adventure ignite like a sudden thunderstorm.
Level C1RomanceThe Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras His Sone Who Conquerede RomeAmidst the legendary exploits of Charlemagne, a fierce Saracen warrior named Fierabras challenges the valor of France’s greatest knights, igniting a saga of combat, honor, and myst…
Level C1HistoricalThe Romance of a Princess: A Comedy; and Other PoemsIn a richly imagined medieval world, Princess Emma navigates courtly intrigue, ancient legends, and the passage of time, revealing the enduring power of myth and love amid the shif…
Level C1HistoricalThe Roman Poets of the Republic, 3rd editionExplore the evolution of Roman poetry from its indigenous roots through the works of pioneers like Ennius and Lucretius to the comedic genius of Plautus and Terence, revealing the…
Level C2HistoricalThe Roman Poets of the Republic, 2nd editionExplore the rich legacy and evolving reputation of Roman poetry through an in-depth study of its key poets and their enduring influence on literature, education, and culture from a…
Level C1HistoricalThe Roman Poets of the Augustan Age: VirgilExplore the rich literary world of the Augustan Age, tracing Virgil’s life and poetry within the transformative era from the Republic’s fall to the rise of the Empire, revealing th…
Level C2PoetryThe Rolliad, in Two Parts: Probationary Odes for the Laureatship & Political EcloguesDive into sharp political satire and witty poetic critiques that unravel the intrigues of public figures and the nuances of power, blending humor with pointed commentary on contemp…
Level B2PoetryThe Rocket BookA mischievous rocket ignites in a basement and chaotically blasts through an apartment building, disrupting breakfasts, bursting bubbles, and toppling pianos in a hilarious whirlwi…
Level C2PoetryThe Rime of the Ancient MarinerAn ancient mariner halts a wedding guest to recount a haunting sea voyage where a mysterious albatross appears, a reckless act brings a cursed stillness, and a spectral ship looms…
Level C2PoetryThe Return of the Dead, and Other BalladsGhostly visits and haunting regrets echo through these ballads, where love, loss, and restless spirits collide in haunting verse that stirs the soul and beckons the dead to return…
Level B2PoetryThe Remarkable Adventures of an Old Woman and Her Pig: An Ancient Tale in a Modern DressAn old woman embarks on a whimsical journey with her pig, weaving ancient charm into a lively modern tale filled with quirky challenges and unexpected twists.
Level C1PoetryThe Remains of Hesiod the Ascræan, Including the Shield of HerculesExplore ancient Greek life, mythology, and philosophy through the poetic fragments of Hesiod, whose vivid allegories and heroic visions reveal the origins of gods, mankind, and the…
Level B2HistoricalThe Red Flower: Poems Written in War TimePoignant poems emerge from the turmoil of war, capturing the clash of duty, honor, and sacrifice amid the shadows of conflict.
Level C1PoetryThe Real Robert BurnsDiscover the true character of Robert Burns beyond gossip and myth, revealing his sincere devotion to religion, democracy, and human brotherhood through his poetry and letters, cha…![Cover of The Real Mother Goose by Blanche Fisher [Illustrator] Wright](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabk7189638s73a2oua0.webp)
Level A2PoetryThe Real Mother GooseDive into a charming collection of timeless nursery rhymes, beautifully illustrated to enchant readers of all ages and spark the imagination with classic verses arranged alphabetic…
Level C1PoetryThe Re-echo ClubDiscover the whimsical musings of a mysterious club as they craft playful poems inspired by the legendary Purple Cow, blending humor and literary homage in a lively celebration of…
Level C1FantasyThe Raven, and The Philosophy of CompositionDive into the haunting depths of a mournful poem and its creator’s revealing essay on the art of composition, where every eerie detail and deliberate choice unfolds the mystery beh…
Level C2FantasyThe RavenOn a bleak December night, a weary man mourning his lost love encounters a mysterious raven that utters only one haunting word: "Nevermore.
Level C1PoetryThe Rape of the Lock, and Other PoemsA witty, satirical poem unfolds around a trivial social quarrel transformed into a grand heroic battle, revealing the absurdities of vanity and pride in high society through sparkl…