But O vaine iudgement, and conditions vaine, xi The which the prisoner points vnto the free, The whiles I him condemne, and deeme his paine, He where he list goes loose, and laughes at me. So euer loose, so euer happy be. But where so loose or happy that thou art, Know _Marinell_ that all this is for thee. With that she wept and wail’d, as if her hart Would quite haue burst through great abundance[231] of her smart. All which complaint when _Marinell_ had heard, xii And vnderstood the cause of all her care To come of him, for vsing her so hard, His stubborne heart, that neuer felt misfare Was toucht with soft remorse and pitty rare; That euen for griefe of minde he oft did grone, And inly wish, that in his powre it weare Her to redresse: but since he meanes found none He could no more but her great misery bemone. Thus whilst his stony heart with tender ruth xiii Was toucht, and mighty courage mollifide[232], Dame _Venus_ sonne that tameth stubborne youth With iron bit, and maketh him abide, Till like a victor on his backe he ride, Into his mouth his maystring bridle threw, That made him stoupe, till he did him bestride: Then gan he make him tread his steps anew, And learne to loue, by learning louers paines to rew. Now gan he in his grieued minde deuise, xiv How from that dungeon he might her enlarge: Some while he thought, by faire and humble wise To _Proteus_ selfe to sue for her discharge: But then he fear’d his mothers former charge Gainst womens loue, long giuen him in vaine. Then gan he thinke, perforce with sword and targe Her forth to fetch, and _Proteus_ to constraine: But soone he gan such folly to forthinke againe. Then did he cast to steale her thence away, xv And with him beare, where none of her might know. But all in vaine: for why he found no way To enter in, or issue forth below: For all about that rocke the sea did flow. And though vnto his will she giuen were, Yet without ship or bote her thence to row, He wist not how her thence away to bere; And daunger well he wist long to continue there. At last when as no meanes he could inuent, xvi Backe to him selfe[233] he gan returne the blame, That was the author of her punishment; And with vile curses, and reprochfull shame To damne him selfe by euery euill name; And deeme vnworthy or of loue or life, That had despisde so chast and faire a dame, Which him had sought through trouble and long strife; Yet had refusde a God that her had sought to wife.