HEAR. It works upon that which is not as yet: The little Ethiop infant would have been Black in his cradle,[172] had he not been first White in the mother's strong imagination. 'Tis thought the hairy child, that's shown about, Came by the mother's thinking on the picture Of Saint John Baptist in his camel's coat. See we not beasts conceive, as they do fancy The present colours plac'd before their eyes? We owe pied colts unto the varied horse-cloth, And the white partridge to the neighbouring snow. Fancy can save or kill: it hath clos'd up Wounds,[173] when the balsam could not; and without The aid of salves, to think hath been a cure. For witchcraft then, that's all done by the force Of mere imagination. That which can Alter the course of nature, I presume, You'll grant shall bear more rule in petty hazards. CAS. It must, it must, good sir. I pray, go on. HEAR. Now the strongest fancies still are found to dwell In the most simple; they being easiest won To the most firm belief, who understand not Why[174] 'tis they do believe. If they think 'twill Be so, it will be so: they do command And check the course of fortune: they may stop Thunder, and make it stand, as if arrested In its mid-journey. If that such a one Shall think you'll win, you must win: 'tis a due, That nature pays those men in recompense Of her deficiency that, whate'er they think, Shall come to pass. But now the hardest will be To find out one that's capable of thinking. CAS. I know you can produce an instrument To work this your design by: let me owe you The whole and entire courtesy. HEAR. I've one Committed to my custody but lately, The powerfull'st that way I e'er found yet: He will but think he shall be abus'd in such A company, and he's abus'd: he will Imagine only that he shall be cheated, And he is cheated: all still comes to pass. He's but one pin above a natural: but---- CAS. We'll purchase him; I'll take up for't. Old Simon Shall have my farm outright now. What's a piece Of dirty earth to me? a clod! a turf! HEAR. Because I see your freer nature's such As doth deserve supplies, I'll do my best To win him o'er awhile into your service.