Poetry is of so subtle a spirit, that in the pouring out of one language into another it will evaporate

Poetry is of so subtle a spirit, that in the pouring out of one language into another it will evaporate

John Denham was a 17th-century English poet and courtier known for his skillful use of language and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects in his poetry. Denham's work often explored themes of love, nature, and the passage of time, and his poems were praised for their elegance and depth.

The quote "Poetry is of so subtle a spirit, that in the pouring out of one language into another it will evaporate" speaks to the delicate nature of poetry and the challenges of translating it from one language to another. Denham's poetry, with its intricate wordplay and nuanced imagery, is a perfect example of this idea. His poems are so finely crafted and rich in meaning that any attempt to translate them into another language runs the risk of losing the essence of the original work.

Denham's mastery of language and his ability to evoke powerful emotions through his poetry make his work particularly difficult to translate. The subtle nuances of his verse, the carefully chosen words and phrases, and the intricate rhyme schemes all contribute to the unique beauty of his poetry. When these elements are transferred from one language to another, they can easily be lost or distorted, resulting in a diluted version of the original poem.