For this breach of the law both were thrown together into prison, and Marino only escaped justice by the sudden death of his accomplice.

His patrons now thought it desirable that he should leave Naples for a time.

Accordingly they sent him with letters of recommendation to Rome, where he was well received by members of the Crescenzio and Aldobrandino families.

The Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandino made him private secretary, and took him on a journey to Ravenna and Turin.

From the commencement to the end of his literary career Marino's march through life was one triumphal progress.