+19. Pay attention to Metaphors.+--The subject of Metaphor is of great importance in good translation. You will find that every language possesses its own special Metaphors in addition to those which are common to most European languages. As you become familiar with Latin Authors you must try to +distinguish the Metaphors common+ to English and Latin and those +belonging only+ to English or to Latin.
(1) Metaphors +identical+ in Latin and English--
+Progreditur res publica naturali quodam itinere et cursu.+ _The State advances in a natural path and progress._
(2) Metaphors +differing+ in Latin and English--
+cedant arma togae+ _let the sword yield to the pen._ +ardet acerrime coniuratio+ _the conspiracy is at its height._ +rex factus est+ _he ascended the throne._ +conticuit+ _he held his peace._
+20. Careful Translation a Help to Style.+--In conclusion. Nothing will help your style more than to +do your translations as well as you possibly can+, and to +avoid repeating the same mistakes+. The Latins themselves knew the value of translation as a help to style.
‘As useful as anything is the practice of translating either your Greek into Latin or your Latin into Greek. By practising this you will acquire propriety and dignity of expression, an abundant choice of the beauties of style, power in description, and gain in the imitation of the best models a facility of creating such models for yourself. Besides, what may escape you when you read, cannot escape you when you translate.’
The use of a personal mode of address in the following Demonstrations is explained by the fact that they are written primarily for the use of boys. It is hoped, however, that they may be found useful to masters also, and that the fulness with which each passage is treated may supply some helpful suggestions.
(a) Reiectis pilis cominus gladiis pugnatum est. |II| At Germani celeriter, ex consuetudine sua, phalange facta, impetus gladiorum exceperunt. |III| Reperti sunt complures nostri milites, qui in phalangas insilirent, et scuta manibus revellerent, et desuper vulnerarent. |IV| Cum hostium acies a sinistro cornu pulsa atque in fugam conversa esset, a dextro cornu vehementer multitudine suorum nostram aciem premebant. |V| Id cum animadvertisset Publius Crassus adulescens, qui equitatui praeerat, quod expeditior erat quam hi qui inter aciem versabantur, tertiam aciem laborantibus nostris subsidio misit. |VI| Ita proelium restitutum est. ||