Other related topics at: Literary Topics 41. Translation "Dryden ... prefixed a discourse upon translation, which was then struggling for the liberty that it now enjoys. Why it should find any difficulty in breaking the shackles of verbal interpretation, which must forever debar it from elegance, it would be difficult to conjecture, were not the power of prejudice every day observed." Johnson: Dryden (Lives of the Poets) Link 761. Translation "When languages are formed upon different principles, it is impossible that the same modes of expression should always be elegant in both. While they run together, the closest translation may be considered as the best; but when they divaricate, each must take its natural course. Where correspondence cannot be obtained, it is necessary to be content with something equivalent." Johnson: Dryden (Lives of the Poets) Link 762. Translation "A translator is to be like his author; it is not his business to excel him." Johnson: Dryden (Lives of the Poets) Link