Page:Hocus pocus, or, The whole art of legerdemain in perfection (2).pdf/3

 may cover the whole with both hands, the end of the haft excepted, and setting the point to your eye, saying, Somebody strike it with your fist,' but nobody will, because it is so dangerous a thing; then setting your hand on the side of the table and looking about you, ask, "What, will nobody strike it in?" in which time let the knife slip into your lap, then make as if you chop it hastily into your mouth, or to hold it with one hand, and to strike it in with the other nimbly, making three or four wry faces, saying, "Some drink, some drink," or else, "Now let somebody put his finger into my mouth, and pull it out again." Some will cry, "You will bite me;" say, I will assure you I will not. Then when he hath put his finger in, he will pull it out, and cry, "There is nothing." This is time sufficient to convey the knife into your pocket: then say, "Why, you have your finger again." So by this means you may swallow knives and forks.

You must have two rings made of silver or brass, or what you please, of one bigness, colour, and likeness, saving that one must have a notch, and the other must be whole, without notch. Show the whole ring, and conceal that which hath the notch, and say, Now I will put ring through any cheek, and privately slip  notch over one side of your mouth; then take  small stick which you must have in readiness, and slip the whole ring upon it, holding your  over it about the middle of the stick; then  somebody hold fast the stick at both ends,  say, See this ring in my cheek, it turns round;