Thieves on the Cross

called Gesmas (the impenitent) and Desmas (afterwards “St. Desmas,” the penitent thief) in the ancient mysteries. Hence the following charm to scare away thieves:

“Impartibus meritis pendent tria corpora ramis:

Desmas et Gesmas, media est divina potestas;

Alta petit Desmas, infelix, inflma, Gesmas:

Nos et res nostras conservet summa potestas,

Hos versus dicas, ne tu furto tua perdas.”

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.