BAS'SET _(Count)_, a swindler and forger, who assumes the title of "count" to further his dishonest practices.--C. Cibber, _The Provoked Husband_ (1728). BASSIA'NUS, brother of Satur'nius emperor of Rome, in love with Lavin'ia daughter of Titus Andron'icus (properly _Andronicus_). He is stabbed by Deme'trius and Chiron, sons of Tam'ora queen of the Goths.--(?) Shakespeare, _Titus Andronicus_ (1593). BASSI'NO _(Count)_, the "perjured husband of Aurelia" slain by Alonzo.--Mrs. Centlivre, _The Perjured Husband_ (1700). BASSANIO, a youth of noble birth but crippled fortunes, whose desire to win the hand of Portia, a rich heiress, is the moving spring of the action of Shakespeare's _The Merchant of Venice_. Portia's father has left three caskets, and has ordered in his will that his daughter is to marry only the man who chooses the casket that holds her portrait. That Bassanio may enter the list of Portia's suitors, his friend Antonio borrows money of Shylock, a Jew, who, out of hatred to the merchant, entraps him into pledging a pound of his flesh as surety for the loan. Bassanio marries Portia, but misfortune overtakes Antonio, he forfeits his bond, and his life is only saved by a quibble devised by Portia. BASTARD OF ORLEANS, in Shakespeare's _Henry VI_ Part 1, is Jean Dunois a natural son of Louis of Orleans, brother of Charles VI. BAT (_Dr_.), naturalist in Cooper's _Prairie_, who mistakes his ass at night for a monster described in his note-book. BATES (1 _syl_.), a soldier in the army of Henry V. He with Court and Williams are sentinals before the English camp at Agincourt, and the king disguised comes to them during the watch, and talks with them respecting the impending battle,--Shakespeare, _Henry V_. _Bates (Charley)_, generally called "Master Bates," one of Fagin's "pupils," training to be a pickpocket. He is always laughing uproariously, and is almost equal in artifice and adroitness to "The Artful Dodger" himself.--C. Dickens, _Oliver Twist_ (1837). _Bates (Frank)_, the friend of Whittle. A man of good plain sense, who tries to laugh the old beau out of his folly.--Garrick, _The Irish Widow_ (1757). BATH (_King of_), Richard Nash, generally called _Beau_ Nash, master of-the ceremonies for fifteen years in that fashionable city (1674-1761). _Bath (The Maid of_), Miss Linley, a beautiful and accomplished singer, who married Richard B. Sheridan, the statesman and dramatist. _Bath (The Wife of_), one of the pilgrims travelling from Southwark to Canterbury, in Chaucer's _Canterbury Tales_. She tells her tale in turn, and chooses "Midas" for her subject (1388). BATHSHEBA in Dryden's _Absalom and Achitophel_ is Louisa de Queronailles, a young French lady brought into England by the Duchess of Orleans, and who became the mistress of Charles II. The King made her Duchess of Portsmouth. My father [_Charles II._] whom with reverence I name ... Is grown in Bathsheba's embraces old. Dryden, _Absalom and Achitophel_, ii.