It seems, in my restraint! What could I
I warn'd thee, I admonifh'd thee; foretold
The danger, and the lurking enemy
That lay in wait: beyond this had been force;
And force upon free will hath here no place.
But confidence then bore thee on; fecure 1175
Either to meet no danger, or to find
Matter of glorious trial: and perhaps
I also err'd, in overmuch admiring.
What feem'd in thee fo perfect, that I thought
No evil durft attempt thee: but I rue 1180
That error now, which is become my crime;
And thou th' accufer! Thus it shall befall
Him, who to worth in woman overtrufting,
Lets her will rule: restraint fhe will not brook;
And left to herfelt, if evil thence enfue, 1185
She first his weak indulgence will accuse.
Thus they in mutual accufation spent The fruitless hours; but neither felf-condemning:
And of their vain conteft appear'd no end.
The End of the Ninth Book.