The Virgin Martyr is noticed October 6th, 1620, as newly reformed.  It was probably written not long before.  The two passages above mentioned would seem to bring the two plays into connexion.  But, it may be asked, what proof have we that it was a production of Massinger and Fletcher?  As for the latter, there can be no doubt.  His double endings are sufficient proof.  As for the Massinger part, there is first the probability of his being Fletcher’s partner, as the play belongs to a period when we know they were working together; secondly, the metrical style could belong to nobody else; thirdly, according to his well-known manner, he has allusions to and repetitions of expressions in his other plays.  As I have gone through Massinger with a view to these repetitions, I propose to notice those that occur in the present play.  When I allude to a play going under the name of Beaumont and Fletcher as partly Massinger’s, I am supported either by Mr. Fleay’s tables, published in the Transactions of the New Shakspere Society, or to my own extension of these tables published in the Eng.  Studien, a German periodical for English literature and philology.

Act I. The First Scene is by Massinger, who almost always begins the joint plays.  On page 210 we have—­

When I should pass with glory to my rest.

Compare Virgin Martyr, V. 2. 319.

When thou shouldst pass with honour to thy rest.

On page 211,

                             And end that race
    You have so long run strongly, like a child,

is a repetition of the idea in Virgin Martyr.  On page 212 “Grave Maurice”; here “Grave” is Count Maurice, who is also so called in Love’s Cure, I. 2.  Bobadilla’s speech. (Love’s Cure is by Massinger and another author, not Fletcher.)

Page 213.

The desire of glory
Was the last frailty wise men ere put off.

This occurs again in A Very Woman, V. 4, line 10,—­

Though the desire of fame be the last weakness
Wise men put off.

Though the thought occurs in Tacitus and Simplicius, Milton seems to have adopted it, as he has done many other of his most striking passages from Massinger.  It occurs also in at least one other play of Massinger’s, but the passage has escaped me for the moment.

Same page:—­

                       ’Tis like yourself,
    Like Barnavelt, and in that all is spoken.

An expression which, with a slight change from “spoken” to “comprehended,” occurs in almost every one of Massinger’s plays.

Act I. Scene 2, is also by Massinger.  On page 218,—­

We need not add this wind by our observance
To sails too full already.

This reminds us of the common Massinger simile,—­

Too large a sail for your small bark.

And Virg.  Mar., I. 1. 85,—­

                               You pour oil
    On fire that burns already at the height.