From "The Way of the Church" CWHN 251-52:
The verses which a translator puts down in and under the name of a great
poet can never be greater than his own verses would be. True, he may be working
under the powerful and constant stimulation of the glorious page at his elbow;
but the example and inspiration of the original, while they may give him the
uncontrollable urge to compose matchless poetry, can, alas! never give him
the ability to do so. If it could, America would have produced as many immortal
bards as it has professors of English.