Appendix XVIII. Alliteration In Massinger
The art with which Massinger employs alliteration escapes all but the most careful perusal; but once noticed, it attracts attention as one of his favourite expedients. Perhaps the best way to exemplify its use is to give a complete collection of instances from one of the plays: I take for this purpose The Unnatural Combat.
I., 1, 150: Impartial judges, and not sway'd with spleen.
" 158: Not lustful fires, but fair and lawful flames.
" 189: Our goods made prize, our sailors sold for slaves.
" 217: He that leaves
To follow as you lead, will lose himself.
" 286: Their lives, their liberties.
" 308: Both what and when to do, but makes against you.
" 309: For had your care and courage been the same.
" 342: He may have leave and liberty to decide it.
II., 1, 14: With my best curiousness and care observed him.
" 23: A sudden flash of fury did dry up.
" 94: But dare and do, as they derive their courage.
" 143: In a moment raz'd and ruin'd.
" 157: In one short syllable yield satisfaction.
" 170: With scorn on death and danger.
" 177: But what is weak and womanish, thine own.
" 183: As a serpent swoll'n with poison.
" 226: Marseilles owes the freedom of her fears.
" 241: That will vouchsafe not one sad sigh or tear.
" 267: And with all circumstance and ceremony.
II., 3, 67: Nor should you with more curiousness and care.
III., 1, 10: It being a serious and solemn meeting.
" 17: I'll undertake to stand at push of pike.
" 21: When the dresser, the cook's drum, thunders,
Come on!
III., 1, 23: As tall a trencher-man.
" 32: The only drilling is to eat devoutly
And to be ever drinking.
" 57: Delay is dangerous.
" 88: Continue constant
To this one suit.
" 90: Every cast commander.
" 100: And so by consequence grow contemptible.
" 117: For his own sake, shift a shirt!
III., 2, 46: The colonels, commissioners, and captains.
" 78: That losing her own servile shape and name.
" 85: Believe my black brood swans.
" 95: As I have heard, loved the lobby.
" 150: Of her fair features, that, should we defer it.
" 160: And serves as a perpetual preface to.
III., 3, 43: The curiousness and cost on Trajan's birthday.
" 78: I've charged through fire that would have singed your sables.
" 82: Such only are admired that come adorn'd.
" 93: Does make your cupboards crack.
" 114: For want of means shall, in their present payment.
" 149: With my son, her servant.
III., 4, 89: And he shall find and feel, if he excuse not.
IV., 1, 53: And liked and loath'd with your eyes, I beseech you.
" 91: A loathsome leprosy had spread itself.
" 101: Sir, you have liked and loved them, and oft forc'd.
" 119: My ranks of reason.
" 132: Thy virtues vices.
" 133: Far worse than stubborn sullenness and pride.
" 206: In your fame and fortunes.
IV., 2, 47: Against my oath, being a cashier'd captain.
" 68: Your lords
Of dirt and dunghills.
" 118: My corslet to a cradle.
" 120: Or to sell my sword and spurs, for soap and candles?
IV., 2. 135: Fair France is proud of.
" 148: Such as have power to punish.
V., 2, 35: Or our later laws forbid.
" 38: And solemn superstitious fools prescribe.
" 57: Into some close cave or desert.
" 58: Our lusts and lives together.
" 165: But to have power to punish, and yet pardon,
Peculiar to princes.
" 248: Accuse or argue with me.
" 307: To season my silks.