Of course. Here is a curated list of classic foreign poetry in English, organized by region and language. This list includes both the original titles and their English translations, along with a brief introduction to each poet and their significance.

Introduction

"Foreign poetry" typically refers to poetry written in a language other than English. The English translations, while sometimes differing from the original's nuances, allow us to access the profound beauty, emotion, and wisdom of these works. The following poets are considered cornerstones of their respective literary traditions and have had a lasting impact on world literature.

French Poetry

French poetry is known for its elegance, precision, and intellectual depth, moving from the structured forms of the Renaissance and Neoclassicism to the revolutionary spirit of Romanticism and Symbolism.

Charles Baudelaire (1821-1867)

The leader of the French Symbolist movement, Baudelaire's work is a dark, sensual, and profound exploration of modernity, beauty, decay, and the complexities of the human soul. His masterpiece, Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil), was both celebrated and prosecuted for its "offense to public decency."

• Poem: "Correspondences"

• Famous Lines:

  
  （图片来源网络，侵删）

  Nature is a temple where living pillars Sometimes send forth confused words; Man traverses it forests of symbols That observe him with familiar looks.

  Like long echoes merging in the distance In a deep and tenebrous unity, Vast as the dark of night and as the light of day, Smells, sounds, and colors correspond.

• Why it's a classic: This poem is the manifesto of Symbolism. It introduces the revolutionary idea that different sensory experiences (smells, sounds, colors) are interconnected and form a universal language of symbols that can be perceived by a "poetic soul."

Arthur Rimbaud (1854-1891)

A prodigy who abandoned poetry at a young age, Rimbaud's work is a torrent of surreal, visionary, and often shocking imagery. He sought to achieve the "derangement of all the senses" to create a new form of poetry.

• Poem: "The Drunken Boat" (Le Bateau Ivre)

• Famous Lines:

  I have known the infinities of nauseous skies Where the moon, pale assassin, gleams...

  And I have dragged from the bottom of the globe The hideous, dripping, red-haired Medusa!

• Why it's a classic: This long, narrative poem is a powerful allegory for the poet's spiritual journey. It breaks all traditional rules of form and logic, creating a hallucinatory, stream-of-consciousness experience that was decades ahead of its time.

German Poetry

German poetry often deals with profound themes of nature, philosophy, spirituality, and the individual's struggle against fate. It ranges from the folk-like simplicity of Goethe to the intense, personal anguish of Rilke.

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926)

One of the most lyrically intense German-language poets, Rilke's work is deeply spiritual, focusing on themes of solitude, creativity, and the inner life. His Duino Elegies are considered one of the great poetic achievements of the 20th century.

• Poem: "Archaic Torso of Apollo"

• Famous Lines:

  We cannot know his legendary head with eyes like ripening fruit. But his torso still glows with brilliance from inside, like a lamp...

  Otherwise this stone would have stood dumb beside the meaningless road. For there is no place that does not see you. You must change your life.

• Why it's a classic: This sonnet is a perfect example of Rilke's ability to find the divine in a fragment of art. The concluding command, "You must change your life," transforms the poem from a simple description into a powerful, spiritual imperative.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

A giant of German literature, Goethe was a poet, playwright, scientist, and statesman. His Faust is a cornerstone of Western literature, and his lyric poems are celebrated for their emotional clarity and connection to nature.

• Poem: "Wanderer's Night Song" (Der Erlkönig is also extremely famous)

• Famous Lines:

  Over all the hilltops Is quiet, In all the treetops You feel scarcely a breath; The little birds are silent in the woods. Just wait, soon You too, will be resting.

• Why it's a classic: This poem is a masterpiece of simplicity and profound peace. It captures a moment of perfect stillness and acceptance, offering a gentle, philosophical reflection on the inevitability of rest and peace.

Russian Poetry

Russian poetry is characterized by its soulfulness, deep connection to the land ("mother Rus'"), and a grappling with existential questions, faith, and suffering.

Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837)

Considered the founder of modern Russian literature, Pushkin mastered all forms of poetry. He combined elegant classical form with a new, vernacular Russian language, creating works that were both accessible and deeply artistic.

• Poem: "I loved you once..."

• Famous Lines:

  I loved you once, and that love may not Have died completely in my soul; But let it not trouble you anymore; I do not want to sadden you at all.

  I loved you silently, without hope, Tormented by my jealousy; I loved you so tenderly and sincerely, May God grant you to be loved by another.

• Why it's a classic: This poem is the epitome of noble, selfless love. Its quiet dignity, emotional restraint, and final, generous wish have made it one of the most beloved and widely quoted poems in the Russian language.

Anna Akhmatova (1889-1966)

A towering figure of 20th-century poetry, Akhmatova wrote with searing honesty about the suffering of the Russian people under Stalinist terror. Her work is a testament to the power of art to endure in the face of immense historical trauma.

• Poem: "Requiem" (An excerpt)

• Famous Lines:

  Instead of a cross, a wheel, Instead of an angel, a cannon, And instead of eternity, a trap...

  I stand here, and I have no tears. Above my mother's prison Stars of death stand guard.

• Why it's a classic: Requiem is a cycle of poems written in secret to commemorate the victims of Stalin's purges. It is a powerful, collective lament that gives voice to the silent grief of a nation, cementing Akhmatova's status as a "voice of conscience."

Spanish Poetry

From the epic ballads of medieval Spain to the intimate, modernist verses of Lorca, Spanish poetry is passionate, musical, and deeply connected to themes of love, death, and identity.

Federico García Lorca (1898-1936)

A central figure of the Generation of '27, Lorca's poetry is a vibrant fusion of Andalusian folklore, surrealism, and raw emotion. His work is deeply rooted in the landscape and culture of his native Andalusia.

• Poem: "Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías" (An excerpt)

• Famous Lines:

  At five in the afternoon. It was time. The sun and the dust were at the level of the boy's eyes.

  At five in the afternoon. When the bull put on its victory crown on a field of blood and sand...

• Why it's a classic: This long, elegiac poem is a masterwork of modernist poetry. It uses a stark, repetitive refrain ("At five in the afternoon") to mark the death of the bullfighter Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, transforming a specific event into a universal meditation on death, ritual, and artistic glory.

Pablo Neruda (1904-1973)

A Nobel laureate, Neruda is one of the most widely read poets in the world. His early work is famously erotic (Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair), while his later work becomes more political, celebrating the common man and the beauty of the natural world.

• Poem: "Tonight I can write the saddest lines." (from Twenty Love Poems)

• Famous Lines:

  Tonight I can write the saddest lines. Write, for example, "The night is starry and the stars are blue and shiver in the distance."

  The night wind revolves in the sky and sings. Tonight I can write the saddest lines. I loved her, and sometimes she loved me too.

• Why it's a classic: This poem is a perfect example of Neruda's signature style: simple, direct language used to express profound and complex emotions. It captures the bittersweet ache of memory and lost love with unforgettable clarity.

East Asian Poetry

The poetry of China and Japan is highly condensed, using vivid natural imagery to explore themes of nature, impermanence, and the human heart. The translations often focus on capturing the essence and spirit (reishi in Japanese) rather than a literal word-for-word meaning.

Li Bai (also known as Li Po) (701-762)

A major poet of the Tang Dynasty, often called the "Immortal Poet" for his carefree, romantic, and mystical style. His work is filled with wine, the moon, mountains, and a profound sense of wonder.

• Poem: "Quiet Night Thought" (from Three Hundred Tang Poems)

• Famous Lines:

  Before my bed there is bright moonlight, I think it is frost upon the ground. I lift my head to look at the bright moon, I lower my head, and think of home.

• Why it's a classic: This poem is a timeless and perfect distillation of homesickness. Its simple, universal imagery—a bed, moonlight, the act of looking up and down—creates an instant and powerful connection with any reader who has ever felt far from home.

Matsuo Bashō (1644-1694)

The master of haibun (prose and poetry) and the most famous poet of the Edo period. He perfected the haiku form, using it to capture a single, fleeting moment of insight into nature.

• Poem: "An Old Pond"

• Famous Lines:

  An old silent pond... A frog jumps into the pond— Splash! Silence again.

• Why it's a classic: This is perhaps the most famous haiku in the world. It is a perfect example of the form's power: a juxtaposition of stillness and sudden movement, sound and silence, that creates a complete and meditative world in just a few words.

How to Explore Further

• Anthologies: Look for collections like The Norton Anthology of World Literature or The Penguin Book of Russian Poetry.
• Single-Author Collections: Reading a full collection by one poet allows you to see the development of their style and recurring themes.
• Listen to Readings: Hearing poetry read aloud, even in translation, can bring new life and rhythm to the words. Many poets have recordings available online.
• Learn About the Context: Understanding the historical and cultural background of a poet can deepen your appreciation of their work.