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This brave Count Basils dost thou know him well? Much have we gain'd but for a single day At such a time to hold his troops detain'd; When by that secret message of our spy, The rival pow'rs are on the brink of action: But might we more effect? Know'st thou this Basil? Might he be tamper'd with?

Gaur.That were most dang'rous— He is a man, whose sense of right and wrong To such a high romantic pitch is wound, And all so hot and fiery in his nature, The slightest hint, as tho' you did suppose Baseness and treach'ry in him, so he'll deem it, Would be to rouse a flame that might destroy.

Duke. But int'rest, int'rest; man's all-ruling pow'r, Will tame the hottest spirit to your service, And skilfully applied, mean service too. E'en as there is an element in nature Which when subdu'd, will on your hearth fulfil The lowest uses of domestick wants.

Gaur. Earth-kindled fire, which from a little spark On hidden fuel feeds its growing strength, Till o'er the lofty fabrick it aspires And rages out it's pow'r, may be subdu'd, And in your base domestick service bound; But who would madly in its wild career The fire of heav'n arrest to boil his pot? No, Basil will not serve your secret schemes,