But her the Prince through his well wonted grace, xiv To better termes of myldnesse did entreat, From that fowle rudenesse, which did her deface; And that same bitter corsiue, which did eat Her tender heart, and made refraine from meat, He with good thewes and speaches well applyde, Did mollifie, and calme her raging heat. For though she were most faire, and goodly dyde, Yet she it all did mar with cruelty and pride. And for to shut vp all in friendly loue, xv Sith loue was first the ground of all her griefe, That trusty Squire he wisely well did moue Not to despise that dame, which lou’d him liefe, Till he had made of her some better priefe, But to accept her to his wedded wife. Thereto he offred for to make him chiefe Of all her land and lordship during life: He yeelded, and her tooke; so stinted all their strife. From that day forth in peace and ioyous blis, xvi They liu’d together long without debate, Ne priuate iarre, ne spite of enemis Could shake the safe assuraunce of their state. And she whom Nature did so faire create, That she mote match the fairest of her daies, Yet with lewd loues and lust intemperate Had it defaste; thenceforth reformd her waies, That all men much admyrde her change, and spake her praise. Thus when the Prince had perfectly compylde xvii These paires of friends in peace and setled rest, Him selfe, whose minde did trauell as with chylde, Of his old loue, conceau’d in secret brest, Resolued to pursue his former quest[159]; And taking leaue of all, with him did beare Faire _Amoret_, whom Fortune by bequest Had left in his protection whileare, Exchanged out of one into an other feare. Feare of her safety did her not constraine, xviii For well she wist now in a mighty hond, Her person late in perill, did remaine, Who able was all daungers to withstond. But now in feare of shame she more did stond, Seeing her selfe all soly succourlesse, Left in the victors powre, like vassall bond; Whose will her weakenesse could no way represse,[160] In case his burning lust should breake into excesse. But cause of feare sure had she none at all xix Of him, who goodly learned had of yore The course of loose affection to forstall, And lawlesse lust to rule with reasons lore; That all the while he by his side her bore, She was as safe as in a Sanctuary; Thus many miles they two together wore, To seeke their loues dispersed diuersly, Yet neither shewed to other their hearts priuity.