I pronounce therefore, as impartially as I can upon the whole, that there _is_ a nominative case, and that figurative, so as Terence and Virgil, amongst others, use it; that is, the whole clause precedent is the nominative case to _perish_. My reason is this, and I think it obvious; let the question be ask’d, what it is that should wholly perish, or that perishes? The answer will be, That which yeares prevaile over. If you will not admit a clause to be in construction a nominative case, the word _thing_, _illud_, or _quodcunque_, is to be understood, either of which words, in the femine gender, agree with _res_, so that he meanes what ever _thing_ time prevails over shou’d wholly perish, and its matter faile. Lucretius, his Latine runs thus: _Prætereà, quæcunque vetustate amovet ætas, Si penitus perimit, consumens materiam omnem, Unde animale genus, generatim in lumina vitæ Redducit Venus? &c._ which ought to have been translated thus: Besides, what ever time removes from view, If he destroys the stock of matter too, From whence can kindly propagation spring, Of every creature, and of every thing? I translated it _whatever_ purposely, to shew, that _thing_ is to be understood; which, as the words are heere plac’d, is so very perspicuous, that the nominative case cannot be doubted. The word, _perish_, used by Mr Creech, is a verb neuter; where Lucretius puts _perimit_, which is active; a licence which, in translating a philosophical poet, ought not to be taken; for some reason, which I have not room to give. But to comfort the loser, I am apt to believe, that the cross-grain confused verse put him so much out of patience, that he wou’d not suspect it of any sence. * * * * * SIR, The company having done me so great an honour as to make me their judge, I desire from you the favour of presenting my acknowledgments to them; and shou’d be proud to heere from you, whether they rest satisfyed in my opinion, who am, Sir, Your most humble servant, JOHN DRYDEN.[68] LETTER IV. TO THE REV. DR BUSBY. HONOUR’D SIR, Wednesday Morning, [1682.] We have, with much ado, recover’d my younger sonn,[69] who came home extreamly sick of a violent cold, and, as he thinks him selfe, a chine-cough. The truth is, his constitution is very tender; yet his desire of learning, I hope, will inable him to brush through the college. He is allwayes gratefully acknowledging your fatherly kindnesse to him; and very willing to his poore power, to do all things which may continue it. I have no more to add, but only to wish the eldest may also deserve some part of your good opinion; for I believe him to be of vertuous and pious inclinations; and for both, I dare assure you, that they can promise to them selves no farther share of my indulgence, then while they carry them selves with that reverence to you, and that honesty to all others, as becomes them. I am, honour’d Sir,