Soph. Because they are the eyes and ears of the prince, and so of the whole kingdom, and so much the more if the king should be blind or deaf, enslaved by his senses, or by ignorance, or by enjoyment of pleasure.
Agri. Are that one-eyed man and that other deaf man eyes and ears of the king?
Soph. Worse still is blindness and deafness of the heart!
Secretaries
Holo. The secretaries follow the counsellors, nor are they few in number or of one rank; then those who deal in money matters for the king, or those who get it in, farmers of the taxes, treasury-tribunes, prefects, procurators, and advocates of the treasury.
Agri. Who are those luxuriously decked and festive young men who always follow the king and stand at his side, some laughing at him and others with open mouth, full of wonder at what he says?
Courtiers
Holo. These are a band of intimate friends, the delight and joy of the king.
Agri. Why are the two who are entering there followed by so many men full of grimaces?