Hocus Pocus; or The Whole Art of Legerdemain, in Perfection. / By which the meanest capacity may perform the whole without the help of a teacher. Together with the Use of all the Instruments belonging thereto.

How to knit a knot upon a hand­ker­chief, and to undo the same with words.

Make one plain loose knot with the two corner ends of a hand­ker­chief, with seeming to draw the same very hard, hold fast the body of the said hand­ker­chief, near to the knot, with your right hand, pulling the contrary end with your left hand, which is the corner of that which you hold; then close up handsomely the knot, which will be somewhat loose, and pull the hand­ker­chief so with your right hand as the left hand end may be near to the knot, then will it seem to be a true and firm knot; and to make it appear more assuredly to be so, let a stranger pull at the end which you have in your left hand, while you hold fast the other in your right hand, and then holding the knot with your fore-finger and thumb, and the lower part of your hand­ker­chief with your other finger, as you hold a bridle, when you would with one hand slip up the knot and lengthen the reins; this done, turn, your hand­ker­chief over the knot with the left hand, in doing whereof you must suddenly slip out the end or corner, putting up the knot of your hand­ker­chief with your fore-finger and thumb, as you would put up the aforesaid knot of your bridle: then deliver the same covered and wrapt within the midst of the hand­ker­chief to one to hold fast, and after pronouncing of some words of art, take the hand­ker­chief and shake it, and it will be loose.