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THe Black Arte is picking of Lockes, and to this busie trade two persons are required, the Charme and the Stand, the Charm is he that doth the feate, and the Stand is he that watcheth: There be more that belong to the bur∣glary for conuaying away the goods, but only two are imploide about the lock: the Charme hath ma∣ny keyes and wrests, which they call picklocks, and for euery sundry fashion they haue a sundry term,
but I am ignorant of their woords of art, and ther∣fore I omit them, onely this, they haue such cun∣ning in opening a Lock, that they will vndoo the hardest Lock though neuer so weil warded. euen while a man may turne his backe, some haue their instruements from I take made of steele, some are made heere by Smiths, that are partakers in their villanous occupations: but howsoeuer, well may it be called the blacke Art, for the Deuil cannot doo b•…•…tter then they in their facultie. I once saue the experience of it my selfe, for being in the Counter vpon a commaundement, there came in a famous fellow in the blacke art, as strong in that qualitye as Sam•…•…on: The partle now is dead, and by for∣tune died in his bed, I bering that he was a charm began to e•…•…ter familiaritie withhim, and to haue an insight into his art, a•…•…ter some acquaintance he tolde me much, and one day being in my Chamber I shewed him my Des•…•…e, and as•…•…t him if he could pick that little lock that was so well warded, and too little as I thought for any of his ginnes. Why sir saies he, I am so experienced in the blacke Art, that if I doo but blowe vpon a Lock •…•…t shall fly opē, and therfore let me come to your Deske, and doo but turne fiue times about, and you shall see my cunning, with that I did as he bad me, and ere I had turned fiue times, his hand was r•…•…fling in my Deske verye orderlye, I wondred at it, and thought verily that the Deuill and his Dam was in his fingers, much discommodity growes by this black Art in shops and noble mens houses for their plate therefore are they most seuerely to be lookt in to by the honourable and worshipfull of England, and to end this discourse as pleasantly as the rest,
I wil rehearse you a true tale done by a most wor∣shipfull Knight in Lancashire, against a Tinker that professed the Black Art.