VMS Help DSR, DSR Commands, .LITERAL  *Conan The Librarian (sorry for the slow response - running on an old VAX)

    The .LITERAL command allows you to have your text formatted
    exactly as you have typed it. This means that you will get a
    blank line in the output file wherever a blank line occurs in the
    input file. (If the value specified by the .SPACING command is
    anything other than one, you will get the spacing value that you
    specified.)

    Commands are not recognized when .LITERAL is in effect and are
    treated as ordinary text if you enter them. DSR flags are also
    treated as normal text. Tab stops set prior to the .LITERAL
    command, however, are still in effect within the block of
    .LITERAL text (see .TAB STOPS). You must enter .END LITERAL when
    you want DSR to resume normal formatting.

    If you want to have flags in effect, use the .KEEP and .NO FILL
    commands instead of the .LITERAL command.

    Formats

      .LITERAL  [n]

      .END LITERAL

    Abreviated formats

      .LT  [n]

      .EL

1 - Parameter

 n

    The number of lines to be produced. This argument is included
    only for compatibility with older versions of RUNOFF and is not
    necessary or recommended.