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The Transformation Review

Writing on Poetry in Translation

Excerpt Of Dryden's Preface To Ovid's Epistles | The Transformation Review

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The Transformation Review

Writing on Poetry in Translation

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Excerpt Of Dryden's Preface To Ovid's Epistles

by John Dryden•Feb 27, 2026

Originally Published 1680 in Ovid's Epistles With His Amours

Excerpt Curated by Ross Belot

John Dryden's 1680 Preface to Ovid's Epistles laid out three types of translation: metaphrase (word-for-word), paraphrase (sense-for-sense), and imitation (loose adaptation).

Article Author Biography

John Dryden (1631–1700) was an English poet, playwright, and critic. He served as Poet Laureate from 1668 until 1688, losing the position after converting to Catholicism and refusing to swear allegiance to William and Mary. His later years were especially productive in translation, including influential versions of Virgil, Juvenal, and Ovid. Dryden’s critical prefaces and essays were foundational to English literary criticism, particularly in their treatment of translation theory and poetic practice. His work bridges the Restoration and the early eighteenth century.

This work was submitted as being in the Public Domain by Ross Belot and was sourced from Internet Archive.