“Maid's Tragedy.”
Act i. The metrical arrangement is most slovenly throughout.
“Strat. As well as masque can be,” &c.—
and all that follows to “who is return'd”—is plainly blank verse, and falls easily into it.
Ib. Speech of Melantius:—
“These soft and silken wars are not for me:
The music must be shrill, and all confus'd,
That stirs my blood; and then I dance with arms.”
What strange self-trumpeters and tongue-bullies all the brave soldiers of Beaumont and Fletcher are! Yet I am inclined to think it was the fashion of the age from the Soldier's speech in the Counter Scuffle; and deeper than the fashion B. and F. did not fashion.