.shitty-line::after {
content:'\a';
white-space: pre;
}
<p>
<span class="shitty-line">...</span>
<span class="shitty-line">...</span>
<span class="shitty-line">...</span>
<span class="shitty-line">...</span>
</p>
<br>
и правда моветон, рудимент из первобытных html-времен. А-ля флоат.