The quote in question is only understandable in reference to the stanza that precedes it. The Baron had been contemplating schemes for attaining a lock of Belinda's perfectly curled and styled hair. Over the meal they all shared, the coffee aroma sent vapors of inspiration to his brain, after all, according to Pope, coffee is what makes the politicians wise:
Coffee (which makes the Politician wise,
And see through all things with his half-shut Eyes)
Sent up in Vapours to the Baron's Brain
These fragrant vapors inspired "New stratagems," new plans, for gaining Belinda's lock of hair. At this point in the narrative, the third person poetic speaker intrudes to warn and reprimand the foolish Baron of what dire consequences might occur:
Ah cease rash Youth! desist ere 'tis too late,
Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla's Fate!
In a classical allusion , the speaker warns the Baron...
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about being changed into a bird like Scylla, Nisus's daughter, was after she cut off her father's sacred purple lock of hair. (Of course, Pope is being satirical and ironic in this passage.) This, now, is where the quote in question comes in.
The Baron won't take heed of Scylla's plight. He continues to concoct scheming
plans. He finds an accomplice. The poetic speaker is watching all this go on
and figuratively shrugs his shoulders and raises his hands in remorse as he
says that when humans decide to will to do "mischiefs," it is very soon that
they find the ways and means to do it!
But when to Mischief Mortals bend their Will,
How soon they find fit Instuments of Ill!
The truth of the statement is borne out because next the Baron takes Clarissa's scissors "from their shining Case" and very slowly edges over behind Belinda--despite the efforts of the Sprights and Sylphs and Ariel himself--and cuts off her lock!
The Peer now spreads the glittering Forfex wide,
T' inclose the Lock; now joins it, to divide.
[...]
The meeting Points the sacred Hair dissever
From the fair Head, for ever and for ever!