Ye Wicked Blacksmiths Lore Books

Description

How the wicked blacksmiths help the dishonest craft and to all manner of theft.

Text

Ye Wicked Blacksmiths
the filthy gang

Blacksmiths, let ye pay good heed;
And stoop not to dishonest deeds,

Which some do, caring not a jot,

As sinful you regard it not,
Tools of wicked trade to make
Unscrupulously for profit’s sake.

A thief comes creeping, out of sight,
To your house in darkest night
And says, ‘‘Master, rise and shine,
I’ll reward you well with coin,
If you’ll just forge secretly
Certain implements for me.
Forge for me a powerful saw
That will cut even iron right through,
That nothing can resist at all,
Whether it be big or small;
And also a dagger of sharpest steel
That I can beneath my cloak conceal.

Forge me ten strong keys as well,
Better than any in Heaven or Hell,
Which will open any lock on Earth.
Blacksmith, give me my money’s worth!“
Thus with promise of reward
He tempts the master with honeyed words.

This the blacksmith gladly hears;

The thief’s words music to his ears.

“All the tools that you may need,

I shall willingly forge indeed!
All that you ask I’ll deliver,
As long as you pay me in silver!“

“With Groschen we will fill your purse
When you bring these things to us!
Come to us in the deepest woods,
Where our merry band will await your goods.
God gifted you with golden hands,
But riches you’ll get from a robbers’ band!”

The smith’s bargain with the thief is done;
Honour and conscience he has none.

He’d sell his soul to anyone!