It were as wise to cast a violet into a crucible that you might discover the formal principle of its color and odor, as seek to transfuse from one language into another the creations of a poet. The plant must spring again from its seed, or it will bear no flower -- and this is the burthen of the curse of Babel.

Summary

This quote highlights the impossibility of fully translating poetry from one language to another. Comparing it to attempting to distill the essence of a violet's color and odor by subjecting it to extreme heat, the quote suggests that the unique beauty and meaning of a poet's creations can only truly be preserved in their original language. Like a plant needing to grow from its seed to bear flowers, poetry must be expressed in its native language to truly bloom. The quote also alludes to the curse of Babel, referencing the biblical story of the confusion of languages and emphasizes the inherent limitations of translation.