And he who teaches men to think, tho' nobly,
Doth raise within their minds a busy judge
To scan his actions. Send thine agents forth,
And sound it in their ears how much Count Basil
Affects all difficult and desp'rate service,
To raise his fortunes by some daring stroke;
And unto the Emperour pledg'd his word,
To make his troops all dreadful hazards brave:
For which intent he fills their simple minds
With idle tales of glory and renown;
Using their warm attachment to himself
For most unworthy ends.
This is the busy time, go forth my friend;
Mix with the soldiers, now in jolly groups
Around their ev'ning cups. There, spare no cost.
(gives him a purse.)
Observe their words, see how the poison takes,
And then return again.
Gent.I will, my lord.
[Exeunt severally.
SCENE III.
A Suite of grand Apartments, with their wide doors thrown open, lighted up with lamps, and filed with company in masks. Enter several masks, and pass through the first apartment to the other rooms. Then enter Basil in the disguise of a wounded soldier.
Bas. (alone.) Now am I in the region of delight!
Within the blessed compass of these walls
She is; the gay light of those blazing lamps
