Confirms it, madam.[140]
I have used the word “lucid” of Massinger's style; perhaps a more appropriate word would be dexterous; not that he is obscure like Chapman, or like Shakspere in his later manner, far less turgid, but he is not afraid of somewhat long sentences. What he is really afraid of, unlike Fletcher, is a full-stop at the end of the verse. There are two devices which the reader will notice, often in combination; in the first place, Massinger is very fond of the “absolute” construction, and loves to multiply parentheses. The following passages from A New Way will serve as illustrations:
Furnace. She keeps her chamber, dines with a panada,
Or water gruel, my sweat never thought on.[141]
Woman. And the first command she gave, after she rose,
Was, her devotions done, to give her notice
When you approach'd here.[142]
Or again, from The Emperor of the East:
Astraea once more lives upon the earth,
Pulcheria's breast her temple.[143]