THE ART OF IVGLING OR legerdemain. WHEREIN IS DECIPHERED, all the conveyances of legerdemain and juggling, how they are effected, and wherein they chiefly consist. Cautions to beware of cheating at cards and Dice. The detection of the beggarly Art of Alcumistry. And, The foppery of foolish cousoning charms. All tending to mirth and recreation, especially for those that desire to haue the insight and private practise thereof. By S. R.  Quod noua testa capit, Inueterata sapit. 
LONDON, Printed by GEORGE ELD. 1614.   

TO THE INGENIOVS GENtleman, and my loving father, Mr. WILLIAM BVBB.  
THis short conceit, that I haue writ of late,  
To you kind father BVBB I dedicate,  
Not that I mean hereby( good Sir) to teach,  
For I confess your skills beyond my reach:  
But since before with me much time you spent,  
Good reason then, first fruits I should present:  
That thankful* bide 
The natu●… of this bide 〈…〉 that build●… her nest un●… the cover 〈…〉 houses( as t●… Swallow do●… with us) leau●… ever behin●… her for th●… owner of th●… house, o●… young one, 〈…〉 token of h●… thankfulness●… and as I m●… say, for paw●… of her rent.  that leaves one young behind,  
Ensamples me, to bear a thankful mind:  
ungrateful he, that thankes can not repay  
To him, that hath deserved it every way:  
Accept( kind Sir) my love, that being done,  
I ask no more, desire no other boon.  
Your loving son in all love, SA. RID.   

TO HIS LOVING FRIEND AND adopted son Mr. Sa. Rid.  
Most worthy son,  
YOur labour and observance herein, with the gift of your first fruits, is both worthy commendations and acceptance: and to cherish you further in this your discovery, I will give an addition to your second treatise. So I leave you to God: and believe you, not a more loving friend then,  
WILLIAM BVBB.   

To the courteous Reader.  
THERE goeth a pretty Fable of the moon: On a time she earnestly besought her mother to provide her a garment, comely and fit for her body: how can that be sweet daughter( quoth the mother) sith that your body nether keeps itself at any one stay, nor at one certain estate, but changeth every day in the month, nay every hour? The application hereof needs no interpretation: fantasy and foolery who can please? and desire who can humour? no chameleon changeth his colour as affection, nor any thing so variable as Populus, Chorus, Fluuius.  
I would with all my heart, every Author that had done no better then I haue, had done no worse: and it were to be wished that some capricious Coxecombes, with their desperate wits, were not so forward to disbowell the entrails of their own overweening, singular, infectious, and pestiferous thoughts, as I know some.  
But I cannot stand all day nosing of Candlesticks: mean time bear with a plain man: whatsoever I haue now done, I hope no exception can be taken, it is for your mirth and recreation( and I pray you so take it:) let such as will needs bark at the moon, yell till their hearts ache: Gentle and Gentlemens spirits, will take all kindly that is kindly presented.  
Yours in love, S. R.   

THE Art of juggling or legerdemain.  
HEretofore we haue run over the two pestiferous carbuncles in the commonwealth, the egyptians and common Canters: the poor Canters we haue canuased meetly well, it now remaines to proceed where I left, and to go forward with that before I promised: St. Quintane be my good speed, I know I haue run through the hands of many, censured of diuers,& girded at not of a few: But humanity is ever willinger to love then hate: courtesy much forwarder to commend then dispraise: clemency infinitely proner to absolve then condemn. Is it not possible to find savoury herbs among nettles, roses among prickles, berries among bushes, marrow among bones, grain among stubble,& a little corn among a great deal of chaff? In the rankest& strongest poisons, pure and sweet balms may be distilled, and some matter or other worthy to be remembered may be embraced, whosoever is the Author. There is nothing so exceeding foolish but hath been defended by some wise man, nor any thing so passing wise, but hath been confuted by some fool: Tut St. Barnard saw not all things, and the best cart may eftsoons overthrow: That curled pate Rufus that goes about with zoilus to carp and find fault, must bring the Standard of iudgement with him, and make wisdom the moderator of his wit, otherwise they may be like to purchase to themselves the worshipful names of Dunces and Dottipoles. So much by the way.  
These kind of people about an hundred yeares a go, about the twentieth year of King Henry the eight, began to gather an head, at the first héere about the southern parts, and this( as I am informed) and as I can gather, was their beginning.  
certain egyptians, banished their country( belike not for their good conditions) arrived here in England, who being excellent in quaint tricks and devises, not known héere at that time among us, were esteemed and had in great admiration, for what with strangeness of their atire and garments, together with their sleights and legerdemaines, they were spoken of far and near, insomuch that many of our English loiterers joined with them, and in time learned their craft and cozening. The speech which they used was the right egyptian language, with whom our Englishmen conversing, at last learned their language. These people continuing about the country in this fashion, practising their cozening art of fast and loose and legerdemain, purchased to themselves great credit among the country people, and got much by Palmistry and telling of fortunes; insomuch they pitifully cozened the poor country girls, both of money, silver spoons, and the best of their apparel, or any good thing they could make, onely to hear their fortunes.  
This Giles Hather( for so was his name) together with his whore Kit Calot, in short space had following them a pretty train, he terming himself the King of the egyptians, and she the queen, riding about the country at their pleasures uncontrolled: at last about forty yeares after, when their knavery began to be espied, and th t their cosonages were aparant to the world( for they had continued near thirty yeares after this manner, pilling& polling,& cozening the country) it pleased the council to look more narrowly into their lives, and in a Parliament made in the first and second yeares of Phillip and Mary, there was a strict Statute made, that whosoever should transport any egyptians into this realm, should forfeit forty pounds: moreover it was then enacted, that such fellowes as took vpon them the name of egyptians above the age of fourteen, or that shal come over and be transported into England, or any other persons, and shal be seen in the company of Vagabonds calling themselves egyptians, or counterfeiting, transforming, or disguising themselves by their apparel, speech, or other behaviours like unto egyptians, and so shall continue, either at one, or several times, by the space of a month, they should be adiudged felons, not allowed their book or clergy. These Acts and Statutes now put forth, and come to their hearing, they divide their bands and companies, into diuers parts of the realm: for you must imagine& know that they had above two hundred rogues and Vagabonds in a regiment: and although they went not altogether, yet would they not bee above two or three miles one from the other, and now they dare no more bee known by the name of egyptians, nor take any other name vpon them then poor people. But what a number were executed presently vpon this statute you would wonder: yet notwithstanding all would not prevail: but stil they wandered, as before up and down, and meeting once in a year at a place appointed: sometimes at the devils arse in peak in Darbishire,& otherwhiles at Ketbrooke by Black-heath, or elsewhere, as they agreed stil at their meeting. Then it pleased queen Elizabeth to reuine the Statute before mentioned, in the twentieth year of her happy reign, endeauoring by all means possible to root out this pestiferous people, but nothing could be done you see until this day they wander up and down in the name of egyptians coulouring their faces and fashioning their attire, and garment like unto them, yet if you ask what they are, they dare no otherwise then say, they are Englishmen, and of such a shire, and so are forced to say contrary to that they pretend.  
But to come a little nearer our purpose, these fellowes seeing that no profit comes by wandring, but hazard of their lives, do daily decrease, and break off their wonted society,& betake themselves many of them, some to be peddlers, some Tinkers, some Iuglers,& some to one kind of life or other, insomuch that juggling is now become common, I mean the professors who make an occupation and profession of the same: which I must needs say that some deserve commendation for the nimbleness and agility of their hands,& might be thought to perform as excellent things by their legerdemain, as any of your wizards witches or magicians whatsoever. For these kind of people do perform that in action, which the other do make show of: and no doubt many when they hear of any rare exploit performed which cannot enter into their capacity, and is beyond their reach, strait they attribute it to be done by the devil, and that they work by some familiar spirit, when indeed it is nothing else but mere illusion, cozening, or legerdemain. For you haue many now a daies, and also heretofore many writers haue been abused, as well by untrue reports, as by illusion and practices of confederacy,& legerdemain, &c. sometimes imputing to words that which resteth in nature, and sometimes to the nature of the thing that which proceedeth of fraud and deception of sight. But when these experiments grow to superstition and impiety they are eether to be forsaken as vain: or denied as false: howbeit if these things be done for recreation and mirth,& not to the hurt of our neighbour, nor to the profaning& abusing of Gods holy name: then sure they are neither impious nor altogether unlawful, though here in or heeereby a natural thing be made to seem supernatural. And Gentlemen, if you will give me patience, I will lay open unto you the right art of juggling& Legerdemain, in what point it doth chiefly consist: principally being sorry that it thus falls out, to lay open the secrets of this mystery to the hindrance of such poor men as live thereby, whose doings herein are not onely tolerable, but greatly commendable, so they abuse not the name of God, nor make the people to attribute unto them his power, but always aclowledge wherein the Art consisteth.  
The true Art therefore of Iuglers, consisteth in legerdemain: that is, the nimble conveyance and right dexterity of the hand, the which is performed diuers ways, especially three: The first and principal consisteth in hiding and conveying of balls: The second in alteration of money: The third in the shuffling of cards: and he that is expert in these, may show many feats, and much pleasure. There are diuers and rare experiments to be shown by confederacy, either private or public, al which in place convenient shall be spoken of. And forasmuch as I profess rather to discover then teach these mysteries, it shal suffice to signify unto you, that the endeavour and drift of Iuglers, is onely to abuse mens eyes and judgements: now then my meaning is in words as plain as I can to ripp up some proper tricks of that Art, whereof some are pleasant and delectable, othersome dreadful& desperate, and all but mere delusions, and counterfeit actions, as you shall soon see by due observation of every knack by me hereafter deciphered: And first in order I will begin with the plays and devises of the ball, which are many: I will touch only but a few, and as in this, so in all the rest I will run over slightly yet as plain as I can.  

Notes and observations to be marked of such as desire to practise legerdemain.  
REmember that a juggler must set a good face upon that matter he goeth about, for a good grace and carriage is very requisite to make the art more authentical. Your feats& tricks then must be nimbly cleanly& swiftly done, and conveyed so as the eyes of the beholders may not discern or perceive the trick, for if you be a bungler, you both shane yourself, and make the Art you go about to bee perceived and known, and so bring it into discredit.  
Wherefore use and exercise makes a man ready. Vsus promptos facit, and by that means your feats being cunningly handled, you shall deceive both the eye, the hand, and the ear: for often times it will fall out in this art, and devises Deceptio visus, Deceptio tactus, et Deceptio auditus.  
Note also that you must haue none of your Trinkets wanting, least you be put to a nonplus: besides it behoveth you to be mindful whereabout you go in every trick, least you mistake and so discredit the art.  
You must also haue your words of art, certain strange words, that it may not only breed the more admiration to the people, but led away the eye from espying ner of your conveyance, while you may induce the mind the mind, to conceive, and suppose that you deal with Spirits: and such kind of sentences, and odd speeches, are used in diuers manners fitting and correspondent to the action and feat that you go about. As Hey Fortuna, furia, nunquam, Credo, pass pass, when come you Sirrah? or this way hey jack come a loft for thy maisters advantage pass and be gone, or otherwise: as Alif, Casil: zaze, Hit, metmeltat, Saturnus, jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury, Luna? or thus Drocti, Micocti, et Senarocti, Velu barocti, Asmarocti, Ronnsee, Farounsee, hey pass pass: many such observations to this art are necessary, without which all the rest, are little to the purpose.   

feats of legerdemain used with the Balls with one or more.  
COncerning the Ball, the plays and devises thereof are infinite: insomuch as if you can use them well, you may show an hundred feats, but whether you seem to throw the Ball into the air, or into your mouth, or into your left hand, or as you list, it must be kept stil in your right hand: if you practise first with the leaden bullet you shal the sooner,& better do it with balls of cork: the first place at your first learning where you are to bestow a great ball is in the palm of your hand, with your ring finger, but a small ball is to be placed with your thumb betwixt your ring finger and middle finger: then are you to practise to do it betwixt your other fingers, then betwixt the forefinger and the thumb, with the fore finger and middle finger jointly, and therein is the greatest and the strangest conveying shewed. Lastly the same small ball is to be practised in the palm of your hand, and so by use you shal not only seem to put any ball from you, and yet retain it in your hand, but you shall keep four or five as cleanly and certaint as one, this being first learned, and slight attained unto, you shal work wonderful feats, as for example.  
Note for this feaf you must haue four boxes made in the manner of extinguishers that are made to put out candles, but as big again: but for want of them you may take small candlesticks, or saltseller covers, or some such like.  
Lay three or four balls before you, and as many boxes or small candlesticks &c. then first seem to put one ball into your left hrnd, and therewithal seem to hold the same fast. Then take one of the boxes &c. or any other thing( having a hollow foot, and being great) and seem to put the Ball which is thought to bee in your left hand underneath the same, and so under the other candlesticks, Boxes, &c. seem to bestow the other balls, and all this while the beholders will suppose each ball to bee under each box or candlesticks &c. this done use some charm or form of words( before set down) hey Fortuna fury nunquam credo, pass pass: then take by the candlestick with one hand and blow, saying thats gone you see: and so likewise look underneath each candlestick with like grace and words( for you must remember to carry a good grace and face on the matter) and the beholders will wonder where they are become: But if you in lifting up the candlestick with your right hand leave all those three or four balls under one of them( as by use you may easily do) having turned them all down into your hand and holding them fast with your little, and ring finger) and take the box or candlestick &c. with your other fingers and cast the balls up into the hollowness thereof( for so they will not role so soon away) the standards by will be much astonished, but it will seem wonderful strange, if also in showing how there remaineth nothing under another of the said candlesticks taken up with your left hand you leave behind you a great ball, or any other thing, the miracle will be the greater. For first, they will think you haue pulled away all the balls by miracle, then that you haue brought them again by like means, and they neither think, or look that any other thing remaineth behind under any of them, and therefore after many other feats done return to your candlesticks, remembering where you left the great ball, and in no wise touch the same, but having another great ball about you, seem to bestow the same in manner and form aforesaid under a candlestick which standeth farthest from that where the ball lieth, and when you shall with words and ●… arms seem to convey the same ball from under the same box or candlestick, &c.( and afterwards bring it under the box &c. which you touched not) it will( I say) seem wonderful strange.   

To make a little Ball swell in your hand till it be very great.  
TAke a very great ball in your hand, or three indifferent big balls, and showing one or three little balls, seem to put them into your said left hand, concealing( as you may well do) the other balls which were there before: Then use charms and words and make them seem to swell, and open your hand &c. This play is to be varied an hundred ways, for as you find them all under the box or candlestick, so may you go to a slander by and take off his hat or cap and show the balls to be there, by conveying them thereinto as you turn the bottom upward, These things to them that know them are counted ridiculous, but to those that are ignorant they are marvelous.   

To consume or rather convey one or many Balls into nothing.  
IF you take a ball or more, and seem to put it into your other hand, and whilst you use charming words, you convey them out of your right hand into your lap, it will seem strange, for when you open your left hand, immediately the sharpest lookers on will say, it is in your other hand, which also then you may open, and when they see nothing there they are greatly overtaken.   

Another pretty feat with balls.  
TAke four Balls, one of the which keep between your fore-finger and your middle, laying the other three vpon the table, then take up one and put it into your left hand, and afterward take up another, and conveying it and the other between your fingers into your left hand, taking up the third& seeming to cast it from you into the air or into your mouth, ot else where you please using some words or charms as before: the standards by when you ask them how many you haue in your hand, will judge there are noe more then two, which when you open your hand they shall see how they are deluded. But I will leave to speak of the ball any more; for herein I might hold you all day, and yet shal I not be able to teach you the use of it, nor scarcely to understand what I mean or writ concerning it, unless you haue had some sight therof heretofore by demonstration: and always remember that the right hand be kept open and strait, onely keep the palm from view: and therefore I will end with this miracle,   

A feat, tending chiefly to laughter and mirth  
LAy one ball vpon your shoulder and another on your arm, and the third on the table, which because it is round and will not easily lie vpon the point of your knife, you must bid a slander by, lay it thereon, saying, that you mean to cast all those three balls into your mouth at once: and holding a knife as a pen in your hand, when he is laying vpon the point of your knife, you may easily with the haft rap him on the fingers, for the other matter will be hard to do.  
And thus much of the Balls. To come to the second principal part of legerdemain, which is conveyance of money, wherein by the way observe that the money must not be of too small nor to great a circumference, least either, it hinder the conveyance.   

Of conveyance of money.  
THe conveying of money is not much inferior to the Ball, but much easier to do: The principal place to keep a piece of money in, is the palm of your hand: The best piece to keep, is a testor, but with exercise all will be alike, except the money be very small, and then it must be kept between the fingers, and almost at the fingers end, where as the ball is to be kept, and below near to the palm.   

To convey money out of one hand into the other, by legerdemain  
FIrst you must hold open your right hand and lay therein a testor or counter, and then lay there upon the top of your long left finger, and use words &c. and vpon the sudden slip your right hand from your finger, wherewith you held down the testor, and bending your hand a very little you shal retain the testor therein, and suddenly( I say) drawing your right hand through your left, you shall seem to haue left the testor there, especially when you shut in due time your left hand, which that it may more plainly appear to be truly done, you may take a knife and seem to knock against it, so as it shall make a great sound: but in stead of knocking the piece in the left hand( where none is) you shal hold the point of the knife fast with the left hand, and knock against the testor held in the other hand, and it will bee thought to hit against the money in the left hand: then use words, and open the hand, and when nothing is seen it will be wondered at how the testor was removed.   

To convert or transubstantiate money into Counters, or Counters into money.  
AN other way to deceive the lookers on, is to do as before with a testor, and keeping a Counter in the palm of your left hand, secretly to seem to put the testor thereinto, which being retained stil in the right hand, when the left hand is opened, the testor will seem to be transubstantiated into a counter.   

To put one Testor into one hand and another into another hand, and with words to bring them together.  
HE that hath once attained to the facillity of retaining one piece of money in his right hand may show an hundred pleasant conceits by that means,& may reserve two or three as well as one: and lo, then may you seem to put one piece into your left hand, and retaining it stil in your right hand you may together therewith take up another like piece, and so with words seem to bring both pieces together.   

To put one Testor into a strangers hand, and another in your own hand, and to convey both into the strangers hand with words.  
TAke two testors éeuenly set together, and put the same instead of one testor into a strangers hand: And then making as though you put one testor into your left hand, with words you shal make it seem that you convey the tstore in your hand into the strangers hand, for when you open your said left hand, there shal be nothing seen: and he opening his hand, shal find two where he thought was but one. By this devise I say an hundred conceits may be shewed.   

To throw a piece of money away and to find it again where you please.  
YOu may with the the middle and ring-finger of the right hand, convey a testor into the palm of the same hand, and seeming to cast it away, keep it still, which with confederacy will seem strange: to wit, when you find it again, where another hath bestowed the very like piece But these things without exercise cannot bee done, and therefore I will proceed to show things to bee brought to pass by money, with less difficulty and yet as strange as the rest, which being unknown, are heinously commended, but being known, are derided and nothing at all regarded.   

To make a testor or a groat, leap out of a pot, or run along upon a table with words.  
YOu shall see a juggler take a testor or groat& throw it into a pot, or lay it on the middle of the table, and with enchanting words cause the same to leap out of the pot, or run towards him or from him wards along the table, which will seem miraculous, until that you know that it is done with a long black hair of a womans head, fastened to the brim of a groat by means of a little hole driven through with a spanish needle: in like sort you may use a knife or any other small thing. But if you would haue it to go from you you must haue a confederate, by which means all juggling is graced, and amended.  
This feat is the stranger if it bee done by night, a candle placed between the lookers on and the juggler: for by that means the eye sight is hindered from discerning the conceit.   

A very pretty trick to make a groat or a testor to sink through a table and to vanish out of a handkerchief very strangely.  
A juggler sometimes will borrow a groat or a testor, and mark it before you, and seem to put the same into a handkerchief, and wind it so that you may the better see and feel it: then will he take you the handkerchief and bid you feel whether the groat be there or no: And he will also require you to put the same under a candlestick or some such thing: then will he sand for a basin, and holding the same under the board right against the candlestick will use certain words of enchantments, and in short space you shal hear the groat fall into a basin: this done one takes up the candlestick, and the juggler taketh the handkerchief by the tassell, and shaketh it: but tho money is gone, which seemeth as strange as any feat whatsoever: but being known, the miracle is turned into a babble, for it is nothing but to sow a counter into the corner of a handkerchief finely covered with a piece of linen, little bigger then the counter, which corner you must convey instéed of the groat delivered unto you into the middle of your handkerchief, leaving the other either in your hand or lap, which afterwards you must seem to pull through the board, letting it fall into the basin.   

To convey one shilling being in one hand in into an other, holding your arms abroad like to a rood.  
EVermore it is necessary to mingle some merry toys among your grave miracles as in this case of money: Take a shilling in each hand, and holding your arms abroad to lay a wager that you will put them both into one hand without bringing them any whit nearer together: the wager being laid, hold your arms abroad like a rood and turning about with your body lay the shilling out of one of your hands vpon the table, and turning the other side, take it up with the other hand, and so you shal win your wager.   

Of cards and Dice, with good cautions how to avoyde cosonage therein: special rules to convey and handle the cards, and the manner and order how to accomplish all difficult and strange iestings wrought with cards.  
having bestowed some wast money among you I will set you to cards and Dice. A couple of honest friends that draw both in a yoke together, which haue been the overthrow of many a hundred in this realm, and these are not the slightest matters whereupon Iuglers do work, and show their feats. By which kind of juggling a great number haue Iugled away not only their money but also their lands, their health, their time and their honesty: I dare not( as I could show) the lewd juggling that cheators practise, least it minister some offence, to the well disposed, to the simplo hurt and loss, and to the wicked occasion of evil doing. But by the way I will a little speak of Dice, and the use of them, as caveats rather to let you beware of their cosonings, then to give you light to follow their doings: Non ad imitandum said euitandum.  
First you must know a Langret, which is a die that simplo men haue seldom heard of, but often seen to their cost, and this is a wel-fauored die, and seemeth good and square, yet is it forged longer, upon the Cater, and Trea then any other way: And therefore it is called a Langret. Such be also called bard Cater treas, because commonly the longer end will of his own sway draw downewardes, and turn up to the eye, since, sink, Deuce or Ace. The principal use of them is at Nouum, for so long as a pair of Bard cater treas be walking on the board, so long can ye not cast five nor nine unless it be by great chance, that the roughness of the table, or some other stop force them to stay, and run against their kind: for without Cater or trey you know that five or nine can never come.  
But you will say by this reason, he that hath the first dice is like always to strip and rob all the table about. To help this, there must be for that purpose, an odd Die, called a flat Catertrea ready at hand, and no other number, for granting the trea and cater be always vpon the one Die, then is there no chance upon the other Die, but may serve to make five or nine,& cast forth,& loose all.  
But now to show you what shifts they haue to bring the flat die in and out which is a jolly cunning property of juggling, with them called foysting: the which is nothing else but a slight to carry easily within the hand, as often as the foyster list: so that either he or his partner shal cast the dice, the flat comes not abroad till he hath made a great hand, and won as much as him listeth: otherwise the flat is ever one, unless some few times vpon purpose he suffer the silly souls to cast in a hand or two, to give them courage to continue the play and live in hope of winning.  
These things I know seem very strange to the simplo, and as yet cannot sink into their brain, how a man may carry so many dice in one hand, and chop and change them so often, and never bee espied: so as before I told you, Iuglers conveyance seemeth to exceed the compass of reason till you know the feat: but what is it that use and labour overcometh not. To foist finely and readily and with the same hand to tell money to and fro, is a thing hardly learned, and asketh a bold spirit and long experience, though it be one of the first the Cheater learneth.  
What should I speak any more of false dice, of fullomes, high-men, low-men, gourds, and brisled dice, grauiers, demies, and contraries, all which haue their sundry uses: but it is not my meaning to stand on this subject: I would rather use my pen, and spend my time, to dissuade and persuade all gamesters, to beware not not onely with what dice, but with what company and where they exercise game: and be well assured Gentlemen that all the friendly entertainment you shall find amongst them is for no other end, but to persuade you to play, and thereby to breed your great loss, if not altogether your undoing.  
Therefore utterly forbear to hazard any thing at dice, and live in doubt and suspicion of cheating, wheresoever you play( unless you know your company very well) for the contagion of cheating is now grown so universal, that they swarm in every quarter: and therefore ye cannot bee in safety unless you shun the company of such altogether.  
To leave Dice and return to cards, wherein is as much falsehood and cozening as in Dice: I will therefore disclose as much in one as in the other, for I would not give a point to choose which of them is the better, or rather the worse, for there is such a slight in shuffling and sorting of the cards, that play at what game you will, all is lost before hand, but if there bee a confederate either of the players or standards bye, the mischief cannot then bee avoyded.  
Beware therefore, when you play among strangers, of him that seems simplo or drunken, for under their habit the most special Cosoners are presented, and while you think by their simplicity and imperfections to beguile them,( and thereof perchance are persuaded by their confederates( your very friends as you think) you yourself will be most of all overtaken.  
Beware also of betters by and lookers on: and namely on them that bet on your side: for whilst they look on your game without suspicion, they discover it by signs to your aduersaries, with whom they bet, and yet are they confederates, whereof me thinks this one above the rest proceedeth from a fine invention.   

A trick by confederacy at cards.  
A Gamester after he had been oftentimes bitten with Cheators, and after much loss, grew very suspicious in his play, so that he would not suffer any of the sitters by to be privy to his game: for this the Cheators devised a new shift that a woman should sit close by him: and by the swift and slow drawing of her needle give notice to the Cheator what was the Cosens game.  
Other helps there bee, as to set the cousin upon the bench, with a looking-glasse behind him on the wall, wherein the Cheator may always see what cards he hath in his hand, So that a few ensamples in stead of many that might be rehearsed, this one conclusion may be gathered, that whosoever is given to play, and once sitteth amongst them, it is great odds but that he shal rise a loser.  
But many there be that live so continently, that nothing can persuade them to put a penny in adventure, and some again are so unskilful that lack of cunning forceth them to forbear play: but yet hard it is for any man to fall into their company, but they will make him stoop at one game or other: and for this purpose their first drift and intent is to seek, by all means possible to understand his nature and whereunto he is most inclined: if they find that he taketh pleasure in the company of women then seek they to strike him at the sacking law( as they term it) and take this for a rule, that all the bawds in the country be of the Cheators familiar acquaintance.  
Therefore it is not very hard for them at all times to provide for their amorous cousin, alewd lecherous Lady to keep him loving company, then fall they to banqueting, and carousing and hunting of taverns, and much is the cost that this silly cousin shal be at in jewels and apparel, otherwise he shal not once get a grant to haue a kiss at his mistris lips: and ever in the middle of their conference, she layeth in this reason, for her sake to put in twenty or thirty Crownes in adventure at cards or Dice: you know not( quoth shée) what may be a womans luck: if he refuse it, Lord how unkindly shée takes the matter, and cannot be reconciled with less then a gown or a kertle of silk.  
But now if these Cheaters perceive that he estéemeth no bruised ware, but is enamoured with virginity, they haue a fine cast within an houres warning, to make Ione Siluerpin as good a maid as though she had never come to the stews: but to let these things pass for offending of chast ears, whose displeasure I would not incur, for all the cheats these Gamesters get in a whole year, but to our purpose.  
There are two sorts of using the cards, the one is in playing( with one or more) games, as Primeto, trump, Saunte, Decoye &c.  
The other use of cards is to show feats of legerdemain.  
Concerning the first, if it be used for recreation, and not to the profaning of Gods holy name, nor hurt of our brethren and neighbours, they are to be tolerated: but now( more is the pitty) they are not used in that fashion as they should be, but much hurt oft times ariseth thereof.  
Primero now as it is in great use, so is there much deceit in it, some play upon the prick, some pinch the cards privily with their nails, some turn up the corners, some mark them with fine spots of Ink, some there be that travell into spain and into Italy to learn fine tricks and quaint conveyances at cards, and return home and win much money with them hear in England, but yet at the last they are stil overreached by some fine wits that devise new sleights here at home.  
At trump, Saunte, and such other like games, cutting at the neck is a great advantage, so is cutting by Bum-card finely under or over: stealing the stock or the discarded cards.  
At Decoye they draw twenty hands, together and play all vpon assurance when to win or loose, other helps there be, as I haue before set down, with a looking glass and confederacy: all which and such like, tend to cozening and hurt of our brother: but we will proceed with the other use of cards, which tendeth to mirth, and recreation of mind, and which in themselves simply is no hurt, unless they are abused. In showing feats and juggling with cards the principal point consisteth in shuffling them nimbly, and always keeping one certain card either in the bottom, or in some known place of the stock, four or five cards from it, hereby you may seem to work wonders, for it will be easy for you to see or espy one, which though you be perceived to do, it will not be suspected, if you shuffle them well afterwards, and this note I must give you, That in reserving the bottom carded, you must always( whilst you shuffle) keep him a little before, or a little behind all the cards lying underneath him, bestowing him( I say) either a little beyond his fellowes before right over the fore finger, or else behind the rest, so as the little finger of the left hand may meet with it, which is the easier and readier, and the better way: In the beginning of your shuffling shuffle as thick as you can, and in the end throw vpon the stock the nether card( with so many more at the least as you would haue preserved for any purpose) a little before, or behind the rest; provided always that your fore-finger, if the pack be laid before, or the little finger if the pack lie behind, creep up to meet with the bottom card,& not lie betwixt the cards, and when you feel it, you may there hold it until you haue shuffled over the cards again, stil leaving your kept carded below, being perfect herein, you may do almost what you list with the cards: By this means what pack soever you make, though it consist of eight, twelve, or twenty cards you may keep them stil together un●… uered, next to the nether card, and yet shuffle them often to satisfy the curious beholders, as for ensample and for brevities sake, to show you diuers feats under one.   

How to deliver out four Aces, and to convert them into four knaves.  
MAke a pack of eight cards, to wit four knaves and four Aces, and although all the eight cards must lye immediately together, yet must each knave and Ace be openly seauered, and the same eight cards must lie also in the lowest place of the bunch, then shuffle them so, as always at the second shuffling, or at least wise at the end of your shuffling the said pack, and of the pack one ace may lie nethermost, or so as you may know where he goeth and lieth, and always I say let your foresaid pack, with three or four cards more, lye vnseperably together immediately upon and with that ace, then using some speech or other devise, and putting your hand with the cards to the edge of the table, to hid the account, let out privily a piece of the second carded, which is one of the knaves holding forth the stock in both your hands, and showing to the standards by the nether carded,( which is the ace or kept carded) covering also the head or piece of the knave( which is your next carded) with your four fingers: draw out the same knave laying it down on the table: thē shuffle again, keeping your pack whole,& so haue you two aces lying together in the bottom,& therfore to reform that disordered carded, as also for a grace and countenance to that action, take off the uppermost carded of the bunch,& thrust it into the midst of the cards, and then take away the nethermost carded which is one of your aces, and bestow him likewise: then may you begin as before, showing an other ace, and in stead thereof lay down another knave, and so forth, until in stead of your four aces you haue laid down four knaves. The beholders all this while thinking that there lie four aces on the table, are greatly abused and will marvel at the transformation.   

How to tell one what carded he seeth in the bottom, when the same carded is shuffled into the stock.  
WHen you haue seen a carded privily, or as though you marked it not, lay the same vndermost, and shuffle the cards as before you were taught, till your carded lie again below in the bottom: then show the same to the be holders, willing them to remember it, then shuffle the cards or let any shuffle them, for you know the cards already, and therefore may at any time tel them what carded they saw, which nevertheless would be done with great circumstance, and less show of difficulty.   

A strange and excellent trick to hold four Kings in the hand, and by words to transform them into four Aces, and after to make them all blank Cards, one after another.  
YOu shall see a juggler take four kings and no more in his hand, and apparently show you them, then after some words and charms, he will throw them down before you upon the table, taking one of the Kings away and adding but one other carded: then taking them up again and blowing vpon them, will show you them transformed into blank cards, white on both sides: after using charms again, throwing them down as before,( with the faces downward) will take them up again and show you four Aces, blowing stil vpon them, that it may breed the more wonder, which trick in my mind is nothing inferior to the rest: and being not known will seem wonderful strange to the spectators, yet after you know it you cannot choose but say the trick is pretty. Now therefore to accomplish this feat you must haue cards made for the purpose,( half cards you may call them) that is the one half kings, the other part aces, so that laying the aces one over the other, nothing but the kings will be seen, and then turning the kings downward, the four aces will be seen, provided you must haue two whole, one whole king to cover one of the aces, or else it will be perceived, and the other an ace to lay over the Kings, when you mean to show the aces: then when you will make them all blank, lay the Cards a little lower, and hid the aces and they will appear all white. The like you may make of the four knaves, putting upon them the four fiues, and so of the rest of the cards: But this cannot bee well shewed you without demonstration.  
Hitherto I haue entreated of the three principal kinds of juggling, now it remaineth in order to speak of juggling by confederacy, which is either private or public.  
private confederacy is, when one( by a special plot laid by himself, without any compact made with others) persuadeth the beholders, that he will suddenly and in their presence, do some miraculous feat, which he hath already accomplished privately: as for ensample, he will show you a carded or any other like thing, and will say further unto you, behold and see what a mark it hath, and then burneth it, and nevertheless fetcheth another card, so marked out of some bodies pocket, or out of some corner, where he himself before had placed it, to the wonder and astonishment of simplo beholders, which conceive not that kind of illusion, but expect miracles and strange works.  
I haue red of a notable exploit done before a king by a juggler, who painted on a wall the picture of a done, and seeing a pidgion sitting upon the top of an house said to the King, lo now your grace shal see what a juggler can do if he be his crafts master,& then pricked the picture with a knife, so hard& so often,& with so effectual words as the pidgion fel down from the top of the house stark dead, you may imagine how the matter was taken, what wondering was thereat, how he was prohibited to use that feat any further, least he should employ it in any other kind of murder, This story is held yet of diuers as canonical, but when you are taught the feat or slight, you will think it a mockery and a simplo illusion.  
To unfold you the mystery hereof, so it is that the poor pigeon was before in the hands of the juggler, into whom he had thrust a dram of Nux vomica, or some other such poison, which to the nature of the bide was so extreme a poison, as after the receipt thereof it could not live above the space of half an hour, and being let loose after the medicine ministered, she always resorteth to the top of the next house, which she will the rather do, if ther be any pigeons already sitting there, and after a short space falleth down, either stark dead, or greatly astonished: but in the mean time, the juggler useth words of art, partly to protract time, and partly to gain credit, and admiration of the beholders.  
As with cards you may show feats by private confederacy, so of the other two, that is to wit, with the balls and the money, as to mark a shilling or any other thing, and throw the same into a river or deep pond, and having hide the shilling before, with like marks in some other secret place, bid some go presently and fetch it, making them beleeue that it is the very same you threw into the river, the beholders will marvel much at it: and of such feats there may be many done, but more by public confederacy, whereby one may tel another how much money he hath in his purse, and an hundred like toys.   

Of public confederacy, and whereof it consisteth.  
PVblike confederacy is, when there is before hand a compact made betwixt diuers persons: the one to bee principal, the other to be assistant in working of miracles or rather in cozening and abusing the beholders, as when I tel you in the presence of a multitude, what you haue thought or done, or shall do or think, when you and I were thereupon agreed before: and if this bee cunningly and closely handled, it will induce great admiration to the beholders, especially when they are before amazed and abused, by some experiment of art magic or legerdemain. I will in brief set down some pretty conclusions, and so I will proceed with other feats in other kindes.   

To tel you how to know whether you cast cross or Pile by the ringing.  
LAy a wager with your Confederate( who must seem simplo or obstinate opposed against you) that standing behind a door you will( by the sounding or ringing of the money) tel him whether he cast cross or pile, so as when you are gone, and he hath phillipped the money before the witnesses who are to be cosoned, he must say, What is it if it bee cross, or What ist if it be pile, or some such sign as you are agreed upon, and so you need not fail to guess rightly. By this means if you haue any invention, you may seem to do an hundred miracles, and to discover a mans thought or words spoken a far off.   

How to tel where a stolen horse is become.  
BY means of confederacy Cuthbert conicatcher, and one Swart Rutter, two that haue taken degrees in Whittington college, abused notably the country people: for Cuthbert would hid away his neighbours horses, kine, colts, &c. and sand them to Swart Rutter,( whom he before had  told where they were) promising to sand the parties unto him, whom he described and made known by diuers signs: so as this Swart would tel them at their first entrance unto the door wherefore they came, and would say that their horses, kine &c. were stolen, but the thief should be forced to bring them back again within one mile( south and by west &c.) of his house: even as the plot was laid and the pack made before by Cuthbert and him. This Cuthbert is esteemed of some and thought to be a witch of others, he is accounted a conjuror, but commonly called a wise man, and are able of themselves, to tell you where any thing that is stolen is, as to build Pauls steeple up again.   

To make one dance naked.  
IT hath been reported of such fellowes, and such, that can do rare feats, as to make one dance naked. To the effecting of this, make a poor boy confederat with you, so as after charms and words spoken by you, he unclothe himself and stand naked: seeming( whilst he vndresseth him) to shake, stamp, and cry, stil hastening to bee vncloathed, till he be stark naked: or if you can procure none to go so far, let him onely begin to stamp and shake, &c. and to unclothe him, and then you may( for reverence of the company) seem to release him.   

To make a pot for any such thing standing fast on a cupboard, to fall down thence by virtue of words.  
LEt your cupboard be so placed, as your confederate may hold a black thread without in the court, behind some window of that room, and at a certain loud word spoken by you, he may pull the same thread, being wound about the pot. And this was the feat of eleazar the Iewe, which Iosephus reporteth to be such a miracle.  
Now that wee haue spoken of the three principal acts of legerdemain and of confederacie, I will go forward, and touch some few ordinary feats which are pretty, yet not altogether to be compared with the rest; I mean for conceit and nimbleness of the hand, yet such as to the ignorant, and those that know not the carriage, will seem strange and wonderful.   

Of Boxes to alter one grain into another, or to consume the corn or grain to nothing.  
THere be diuers juggling boxes with false bottoms, wherein many false feats are wrought. First they haue a box covered or rather footed alike at each end, the bottom of the one end being no deeper then as it may contain one lane of corn or pepper, glued thereupon: Then use they to put into the hollow end therof some other kind of grain, ground or vnground: then do they cover it, and put it under a hat or candlestick, and either in putting it thereinto, or pulling it thence, they turn the box, and open the contrary end, wherein is shewed a contrary grain, or else they show the glued end first,( which end they suddenly thrust into a bag of such grain as is glued already thereupon) and secondly the empty box.   

How to convey( with words and charms) the corn contained in one box, into another.  
THere is another box fashioned like a bell, whereinto they put so much and such corn as the foresaid hollow box can contain: then they stop and cover the same with a piece of leather as broad as a tester, which being thrust up hard to the middle part or waste of the said bell, will stick fast and bear up the corn, and if the edge of the same leather be wet, it will hold the better: then take they the other box, dipped( as is aforesaid) in corn, and set down the same vpon the Table, the empty end upward, saying, that they will convey the grain therein, into the other box or bell, which being set down somewhat hard vpon the table, the leather and corn therein will fall down, so as the said bell being taken up from the table, you shall see corn lying thereon,& the stopple will be hidden therewith, and covered: and when you uncover the other box nothing shal remain therein, but presently the corn must bee swept down with one hand, into the other, or into your lap or hat: many feats may be done with this box, as to put therein a toad, affirming the same to be so turned from corn, and then many beholders will suppose the same to be the Iuglers devil, whereby his feats and miracles are wrought.   

How to pull Laces innumerable out of your mouth of what colour or length you list, and never any thing seen to be therein.  
AS for pulling of laces forth of the mouth it is now somewhat stale, where by Iuglers get much money among maids, selling lace by the yard, putting into their mouths one round bottom as fast as they pull out another, and at the just end of every yard they tie a knot, so as the same resteth upon their teeth, then cut they off the same, and so the beholders are double and triple deceived, éeing so much lace as will be contained in a hat, and the same of what colour you list to name, to be drawn by so even shepherds out of his mouth, and yet the juggler to talk as though there were nothing at all in his mouth.  
There are diuers juggling tricks, which I am loth to describe for some reasons before alleged, whereof some are common, some rarer, and some desperate: I will therefore show a few desperate and dangerous juggling knacks, wherein the simplo are made to think that a silly juggler with words can hurt and help, kill and revive any creature at his pleasure: and first to kill any kind of pullen and make them revive.   

To kill a Hen, Chicken, or Capon, and give it life again.  
TAke a hen &c. and thrust an aule, or a fine sharp pointed knife through the midst of the head thereof, the edge towards the bill, 
The natural cause why a Hen thrust through the head with a Bodkin doth live notwithstanding.  so as it may seem impossible for her to escape death, Then use words or incantations, and pulling out the knife, lay oats before her, and she will eat and live, being nothing at all grieved or hurt with the wound, because the brain lieth so far behind in the head as it is not touched though you thrust your knife between the comb and it: And after you haue done this you may convert your speech and actions, to the grievous wounding& recovering of your own self.   

To eat a knife, and to fetch it forth of another place.  
TAke a knife, and convey the same between your two hands, so as no parte be seen thereof, but a little of the point, which you must so bite at the first as noise may be made therewith: then seem to put a great part thereof into your mouth, and letting your hand slip down, there will appear to haue been more in your mouth, then is possible to be contained therein: then sand for drink, or use some other delay until you haue let the said knife slip into your lap, holding both your fists close together as before, and then rais them so from the edge of the table where you sit( for from thence the knife may most privily slip down into your lap) and in stead of biting the knife knab a little upon your nail, and then seem to thrust the knife into your mouth, opening the hand next unto it, and thrust up the other, so as it may appear to the standards by, that you haue delivered your hands thereof, and thrust it into your mouth: then call for drink, after countenance made of pricking, and danger &c. lastly put your hand into your lap, and taking that knife into your hand you may seem to bring it out from behind you, or from whence you list: but if you haue another like knife, and a confederate, you may do twenty notable wonders hereby: as to sand a stranger by into some garden, or Orchard, describing to him some three or herb under which it sticketh or else some strangers sheathe or pocket &c.   

To thrust a bodkin through your head without any hurt.  
TAke a bodkin so made, as the haft being hollow, the blade there of may slip thereinto: as soon as you hold the point upward, and set the same to your forehead: and seem to thrust it into your head: and so( with a little sponge in your hand) you may wring out blood or wine, making the beholders think the blood or wine( whereof you may say you haue drunk very much) runneth out of your forehead: Then after countenance of pain& grief, pull away your hand suddenly, holding the point downward, and it will fall so out, as it will seem never to haue been thrusted into the hafte: But immediately thrust that bodkin into your lap or pocket, and pull out another plain bodkin like the same, saving in that conceit.   

To cut half your nose in sunder and to heal it again presently without any salve.  

This is easily done, howbeit being nimbly done it will deceive the fight of the beholders.  TAe a knife having a round hollow gap in the middle, and lay it vpon your nose, and so shal you seem to haue cut your nose in sunder: provided always that in all these, you haue another like knife without a gap to be shewed upon pulling out of the same, and words of enchantments to speak: Blood also to Bewray the wound, and nimble conveyance.   

To put a Ring through your cheek.  
THere is a pretty knack, which seemeth dangerous to the cheek: for the accomplishment whereof, you must haue two rings of like colour and quantity, the one filled asunder, so as you may thrust it vpon your cheek: the other must be whole and conveyed upon a stick, holding your hand thereupon in the middle of the stick, delivering each end of the same stick to be holden fast by a slander by, then pulling the ring out of your cheek, cleanly strike it against some part of the stick, keeping it stil in your hand, then pull your other hand from the stick, and pulling it away, whirl about the ring and so it will be thought that you haue put thereon the ring that was in your cheek.  
Many other pretty feats of this nature might be here set down, as to cut off ones head and to lay it in a platter, which Iuglers call the decollation of S. John the Baptist, also to thrust a dagger or bodkin through your guts, very strangely, and to recover immediately, after another way then with the bodkin before rehearsed: also to draw a cord through your nose, mouth or hand so sencibly, as is wonderful to see, all which with many more I here forbear for brevities sake. There is a very pretty trick to make wine or beer to come out of your brow or ear with a funnell after you haue drunk the same, the which I am loth to discover, as not willing to haue all the poor Iuglers tricks made known at once: there is a way to make fire to come out of your mouth by burning of towe, all which, for reasons before alleged, I will here omit to discover, But will high me to another sort of Iuglers, or rather cosoners, calling themselves by the name of alchemists, professing themselves learned men, and to haue the Philosophers ston: these professors of the misty or smoky science, study and cast about how to overreach and cousin the simplo, and such as are given to covetousness or greedy desire after gain, with such they insinuate themselves by little and little, professing a show of honesty and plainness, until they are acquainted with their desires, and found the length of their foot: telling them that they can do wonders, make silver of copper, and gold of silver. Such a one a while a go was in Battersey, who coming poor to town, made some of the town believe he had the philosophers ston: whereupon one of the rest believing him, desired to be better acquainted with him: insomuch that he requested him to take a poor bed at his house, and offered him great kindness, hoping in time to get some skill of him towards the attaining of the Philosophers ston: upon a day as this Smith( for so imagine him to be) and beggarly Artist were together, desired him of all loues to impart to him some of his learning, assuring him, if it lay in his power to do him a pleasure he would not fail, protesting that both his purse and himself were both at his command: hereupon to be short, my Gentleman at the first was somewhat scrupulous, yet at the earnest request of his new friend did at last condescend, charging him to be secret in what he should disclose unto him. The Smith swore to bee silent: then my cozening copesmate instructs him as followeth.  
In the month of july, search for the seed of fern, which must bee first and principal matter of working this, and effecting this hidden secret, and quoth he if you had but an ounce of this fearneseed, thou shalt be made for ever, for it is very hard to find: heerevppon he gets up the next morning( for it was about the same time of the year which he prescribed him to search for this inestimable seed) and looks very diligently about the heath, where store of fern grows: but having spent most part of the day in searching and looking, his back ready to crack with stooping, and his throat furd with dust, for want of small beer, so that the poor Smith was ready to faint for want of food: by chance one of the town came by, and seeing him search so diligently up and down, and could not guess for what, asked him what he sought for so busily? O quoth the Smith, for a thing that if I could find, I should be made for ever: why quoth the fellow what I prithee ist? O no quoth the Smith I may not tell you: not tell me quoth the fellow, why what ist? I prithee tell me: at last, at the earnest entreaty of the fellow, the Smith  told he looked for fern seed: with that the fellow laughed a good, and asked him who willed him to look for that? that did M. Etseb quoth the Smith, and if I can but find one ounce of it, it would bee of much worth: worth quoth the fellow, he that set thee to look for that was a fool and thou art an ass, for there was never any fern seed as yet son: therefore get thee home to thy forge, for he makes but a fool of thee: at this the Smith was blank, and got him home to his anuil: but how the Smith and the Alcumister, agreed vpon the reckoning for his cozening him, I mean not héere to deliver: but this I bring in by the way, to show that their art is nothing but deceit, and themselves cosoners, which by two pretty tales I will declare unto you.   

How an Alcumister cousoned a Priest.  
CHaucer in one of his Canterbury tales, rehearseth this iest of a cousoning Alcumist: espying on a day a covetous priest, whose purse he knew to bee well lined: assaulted him with flattery and kind speech, two principal points belonging to this art: at length he borrowed money of this priest, which is the third part of this art, without the which the professors can do no good, nor endure in good estate: then he at his day repaid the money, which is the most difficult point in this art, and a rare experiment: finally to rquite the priests courtesy, he promised unto him such instructions, as thereby within short time he should become infinitely rich, and all through this art of multiplication: and this is the most common point in this science, for herein they must be skilful before they bee famous or attain to any credit: the Priest disliked not his proffer, especially because it tended to his profit, and embraced his courtesy: then the foole-taker bad him sand forthwith for three ounces of quicksilver, which he said he would transubstantiate( by his art) into perfect silver: the Priest thought nothing of deceit, but with great ioy accomplished his request.  
And now forsooth goeth this jolly Alcumist about his business, and work of multiplication, and causeth the Priest to make a fire of coals, in the bottom whereof he placeth a croslet, and pretending onely to help the Priest to lay the coals handsomely, he foysteth into the middle ward or lane of coals, a béechen coal, within which was conveyed an ingot of perfect silver, which when the coal was consumed slipped down into the croslet, that was I say directly under it. The Priest perceived not the fraud, but received the ingot of silver, and was not a little joyful to see such certain success proceed from his own handy work, wherein could be no fraud( as he surely conceived) and therefore very diligently gave the knave forty pounds, for the receipt of this experiment, who for that sum of money, taught him a lesson in Alcumistry, but he never returned to hear repetitions, or to see how he profited.   

A merry tale how a cousoning Alcumist deceived a country Gentleman.  
A Gentleman in Kent of good worth, not long sithence was overtaken by a cousoning knave, who professed Alcumistry, juggling, Witch-craft, and conjuration, and by means of his companions and confederates, found the simplicity& ability of the said Gentleman, and learnt his estate and humors to bee convenient for his purpose, and at last came a wooing to his daughter, to whom he made love cunningly in words, though his purpose tended to another end: and among other illusions and tales, concerning his own commendations, for wealth, parentage, inheritance, alliance, learning and cunning, he boasted of the knowledge and experience in Alcumistry, making the simplo Gentlema a beleeue that he could multiply, and of one angel make two or three, which seemed strange to the Gentleman: insomuch as he became willing enough to see that conclusion: whereby the Alcumister had more hope and comfort to attain his desire, then if his daughter had yielded to haue married him: to be short, he in the presence of the said Gentleman, did include within a little ball of virgins wax a couple of Angels, and after certain ceremonies and conjuring words, he seemed to deliver the same unto him, but in truth, through legerdemain, he convyed into the Gentlemans hand, another ball of the same scantling, wherein were enclosed many more Angels then were in the ball which he thought he had received. Now( forsooth) the Alcumister bad him lay up the same ball of wax, and also use certain ceremonies,( which I thought good here to omit) and after certain daies, houres, and minutes, they returned together according to the appointment, and found great gains by multiplication of the angels, insomuch that he being a plain man, was hereby persuaded that he should not onely haue a rare and notable good son in law, but a companion that might help to add unto his wealth much treasure, and to his estate great fortune and felicity: and to increase this opinion in him, as also to win his further favour, but especially to bring his cunning Alcumistry, or rather his lewd purpose to pass, he  told him that it were folly to multiply a pound of gold, when as easily they might multiply a million, and therefore counseled him to produce all the money he had, or could borrow of his neighbours, and friends, and did put him out of doubt, that he would multiply the same, and redeuble it exceedingly, even as he saw by experience how he dealt with the small sum before his face: this Gent. in hope of gains and preferment, consented to his sweet motion, and brought out and laid before his feet, not the one half of his goods, but all that he had, or could make or borrow any maner of way: then this juggling Alchimister having obtained his purpose, folded the same in a bail in quantity far bigger then the other. And conuaying the same unto his bosom or pocket, delivered another Ball( as before) in the like quantity, to be reserved, and safely kept in his chest, whereof( because the matter was of importance) either of them must haue a key, and a several lock, that no interruption might be made to the ceremony, or abuse by either of them in defrauding each other. Now forsooth the circumstances, and ceremonies being ended, and the Alchimisters purpose thereby performed, he  told the Gent. that until a certain day and hour limited to return, either of them might employ themselves about their business, and necessary affairs, the Gent. to his business, and he to the city of London. And in the mean time the gold should multiply. But the Alchimister( belike having other matters of more importance) came not just at the hour appointed nor yet at the day, nor within the year, so as although it were somewhat against the Gent. conscience to violate his promise or break the league, yet partly by the longing he had to see, and partly the desire he had to enjoy the fruit of the excellent experiment, having for his own security( and the others satisfaction) some testimony at the opening thereof, to witness his sincere dealing, he broke up the coffer, and lo, he soon espied the Ball of wax which he himself had laid up there with his own hands, so as he thought, if the hardest should fall, he should find his principal, and why not as good increase now, as of the other before? But alas, when the wax was broken and the mettall discovered, the gold was much abased and became perfect led.  
Hitherto haue I spoken somewhat of the knavery of Alcumistry, now I will conclude with a pretty dialogue that petrarch a man of great wisdom and learning, and of no less experience, hath written: who as in his time, saw the fraudulent fetches of this compassing craft, so hath there been no age, since the same hath been broached, but that some wise men haue smelled out the evil meaning of these shifting marchants, and bewrayed them to the world.  
Francis petrarch,( I say) treating of the same matter, in form of a dialogue, introduceth a disciple of his, who fancied the foresaid profession and practise, speaking on this manner.  
Discip. I hope for a prosperous success in Alcumistry.  
Pet. It is a wonder from whence that hope should spring, sith the fruit thereof did never yet fall to thy lot: nor yet at any time chance to another, as the report commonly goeth, that many rich men, by this vanity and madness, haue been brought to beggary, whilst they haue wearied themselves therewith, weakened their bodies, and wasted their wealth, in trying of conclusions: to make gold engender gold.  
Discip. I hope for gold according to the workemans promise.  
Pet. He that promised the gold, will run away with thy gold, and thou never the wiser.  
Discip. He promiseth me great good.  
Petr. He will first serve his own turn, and relieve his private poverty, for Alcumisters are a beggarly kind of people, who though they confess themselves bare, and needy: yet will they make other rich, and wealthy, as though others poverty did molest, and grieve them more then their own, so far the words of petrarch.  
Albert in his book of minerals, reporteth that Auicen treating of Alcumistry: saith, Let the dealers of Alcumistry understand, that the very nature of things, can not be changed: but rather made by Arte, to resemble the same in show, and likeness: so that they are not tho very thing indeed but seem to be in appearance: As Castles and Towers do seem to be built in the air, whereas the representations there are shewed, are nothing else, but the resemblance of certain objects below, caused in some bright, and clear cloud, when the air is void of thickness, and grosenes, a sufficient proof hereof may be the looking glass: and we see( saith he) the yellow orrenge colour laid vpon read, seemeth to be gold.  
Thus much for the fond, and vain arte of Alcumistry, I will now draw to an end, leaving to speak of the innumerable charms of coniurours, bad physicians, lewd Surgeons, melancholy Witches, and cosoners, especially for such as bad physicians and Surgeons, know not how to cure: as against the falling evil, the biting of mad dogs, the stinging of a Scorpion, the toothache, for a woman in travell, for the kings evil: to get a thorn out of any member, or a bone out of ones throat: for sore eyes, to open locks, against spirits: for the botts in a horse, for sour wines, and diuers others.  
There are also diuers books imprinted, as it should appear by the authority of the Church of Rome, wherein are contained many medicinal prayers, not onely against all diseases of horses, but also for every impediment, and fault in a horse, in so much as if a shoe fall in the midst of his journey; there is a prayer to warrant your horses hoof so as it shall not break, how far soever he be from the smiths forge: but these of all the rest are the fondest toys, that ever were devised, therefore we will pass them over, and yet how many in these daies are addicted to the belief of these charms it is incredible, I will give you a taste of two or three, because you shall see the foolery of the rest.   

A charm to be said each morning by a Witch fasting, or at least before she go abroad.  
THe fire bites, the fire bites, the fire bites: hogs turd over it, hogs turd over it, hogs turd over it. The Father with thee, the son with me, the holy Ghost between us both to be, thrice, then spit over one shoulder, and then over the other, and then three times right forward.   

An old womans charm wherewith she did much good in the country and grew famous thereby.  
AN old woman that healed all diseases of cattle( for the which she never took any reward but a penny and a loaf) being seriously examined, by what words she brought these things to pass, confessed that after shee had touched the sick creature, shee always departed immediately saying.  
My loaf in my lap,  
My penny in my purse:  
Thou art never the better,  
And I am never the worse.   

A slovenly charm for eyes.  
The divell pull out thine eyes,  
And etish 
spell this word backward and you shall see what aslouenly charm this is etish.  in the holes likewise.   

A Miller that had his eels stolen by night, made mone to the priest of the parish, who indeed was the principal of the theeues that stolen the eels, Sir John willed him to be quiet, for said he I will so curse the theeues, and their adherents with bell, book, and candle, that they shall haue small ioy of their fish, and therefore the next sunday Sir John got him up to the pulpit with his surplice on his back, and his goal about his neck, and pronounced these words following, in the audience of the people.  
All ye that haue stolen the Millers eels  
Laudate Dominum in coelis:  
And all they that haue consented thereunto,  
Benedicamus Domino.  
By this little you may plainly perceive the fopperie of the Church of Rome, who hold such toys as authentical, and also their knavery, to make the people beleeue lies for truth, and falsehood for honesty, Bearing them in hand, as in this, so in all the rest, with blindness, and ignorance: but hereof enough.   

And now to conclude, let us back again with one pretty knack, which is held to be marvelous and wonderful. And that is to make a horse tell you how much money you haue in your purse: and I read of a pretty story of an ass at Memphis in Egypt, that could do rare feats, among other juggling knacks, there and then used: there was one that took pains with an ass, that he had taught him all these qualities following, and for game he caused a stage to bee made, and an assembly of people to meet, which being done in the manner of a play, he came in with his ass, and said: The Sultan hath great need of asses, to help to carry stones, and other stuff towards his great building which he hath in hand: the ass immediately fell down to the ground, and by all signs shewed himself to bee sick, and at length to give up the ghost, so as the juggler begged of the assembly money towards his ass, and having gotten all that he could, he said, now my masters you shall see mine ass is yet alive, and doth but counterfeit, because he would haue some money to buy him provender, knowing that I was poor and in some need of relief: hereupon he would needs lay a wager that his ass was alive, who to every mans seeing was stark dead: and when one had laid money with him thereupon, he commanded the ass to arise, but he lay still as though he were dead: then did he beat him with a cudgel, but that would not serve the turn, until he had addressed his speech to the ass, saying as before in open audience, the Sultane hath commanded that all the people shall ride out to morrow, and see the triumph, and that the faire Ladies will ride vpon the fairest Asses, and will give notable provender to them, and every ass shall drink of the sweet water of Nylus: And then, lo the ass did presently start up, and advance himself exceedingly. lo quoth his master, now I haue won: but in troth the Maior hath borrowed my ass for the use of the old il-fauoured witch his wife: and thereupon immediately he hung down his ears and halted down right, as though he had been stark lame: then said his Master, I perceive you love young pretty wenches: at which the ass looked up as it were with a joyful cheer; and then his master bade him choose out one that should ride vpon him, and he ran to a very handsome woman, and touched her with his head.  
Such a one is at this day to be seen in London, his master will say, sirra, héere be diuers Gentlemen, that haue lost diuers things, and they hear say that thou canst tell them tidings of them where they are: if thou canst, prithee show thy cunning and tell them: then hurls he down a handkerchief or a glove that he had taken from the parties before, and bids him give it the right owner, which the horse presently doth: and many other pretty feats this horse doth, and some of those tricks as the ass before mentioned did, which not one among a thousand perceives how they are done, nor how he is brought to learn the same: and note that all the feats that this horse doth, is altogether in numbering: as for ensample, his master will ask him how many people there are in the room? the horse will paw with his foot so many times as there are people: and mark the eye of the horse is always vpon his master, and as his master moves, so goes he or stands still, as he is brought to it at the first: as for ensample, his master will throw out three dice, and will bid his horse tell how many you or he haue thrown, then the horse paws with his foot whiles the master stands ston still: then when his master sees he hath pawed so many as the first dice shows itself, then he lifts up his shoulders and stirs a little: then he bids him tell what is on the second die, and then of the third die, which the horse will do accordingly, still pawing with his foot until his master sees he hath pawed enough, and then stirs: which the horse marking, will stay and leave pawing. And note, that the horse will paw an hundred times together, until he sees his master stir: and note also that nothing can be done, but his master must first know, and then his master knowing, the horse is ruled by him by signs. This if you mark at any time you shall plainly perceive.   

NOw that we are come to our iourneies end, let us sit down and look about us, whether we are all sons of one father, if there be no knaves among us: St. Boniface light me the candle. Who do I see? what the lusty lad of the mitre, that will bind bears, and ride his golden ass to death but he will haue his will? Birlady, birlady sir, you of all the rest are most welcome, what? how doth your stomach after your carrowsing banquet? what gorgs vpon gorge, eggs vpon eggs, and sack vpon sack, at these yeares? by the faith of my body sir you must provide for a hot kitchen against one grow old, if you mean to live my yeares: but happy the father that begot thee, and thrife happy the Nurse that fostered such a toward younker as thy self: I know thy virtues as well as thyself, thou hast a superficial twang of a little something: an Italian ribald cannot vomit out the infections of the world, but thou my pretty Iuuenall, an English Horrell-lorrell, must lick it up for restorative, and putrifie thy gentle brother over against thee, with the vilde impostumes of thy lewd corruptions: God bless good mindes from the black enemy say I: I know you haue been prying like the divell from East to West, to hear what news: I will acquaint thee with some, and that a secret distillation before thou goest. he that drinketh oylc of pricks, shall haue much a do to avoid sirrop of roses: and he that eateth nettles for provender, hath a privilege to piffe vpon lilies for litter. I prithee sweet natures darling, insult not overmuch vpon quiet men: a worm that is trodden vpon will turn again, and patience loues not to be made a cart of Croyden. I do begin with thee now, but if I see thee not mend thy conditions, Ile tell thee another tale shortly: thou shalt see that I can dot: I could bring in my Author to tell thee to thy face, that he hath found a knave in gross, of thee: but I can say, I haue found thee a fool in retail: thou seest simplicity can not double, nor plain dealing cannot dissemble, I could wish thee to amend thy life, and take heed of the Beadle.  Vale qui rediculose haec legeris.  
FINIS.