The Man promised to do everything that she asked.
But the Raven said: ‘Alas! I know that you will not deliver me. You will take what the Woman offers you, and I shall never be freed from the spell.’
He promised once more not to touch either the food or the drink. But when he reached the house, the Old Woman said to him: ‘Poor man! How tired you are. Come and refresh yourself. Eat and drink.’
‘No,’ said the Man; ‘I will neither eat nor drink.’
But she persisted, and said: ‘Well, if you won’t eat, take a sip out of the glass. One sip is nothing.’
Then he yielded, and took a little sip.
About two o’clock he went down into the garden, and stood on the tan-heap to wait for the Raven. All at once he became so tired that he could not keep on his feet, and lay down for a moment, not meaning to go to sleep. But he had hardly stretched himself out, before his eyelids closed, and he fell fast asleep. He slept so soundly, that nothing in the world could have awakened him.
At two o’clock the Raven came, drawn by her four white horses. But she was already very sad, for she said: ‘I know he is asleep.’
She alighted from the carriage, went to him, shook him, and called him, but he did not wake.
Next day at dinner-time the Old Woman came again, and brought him food and drink; but again he refused to touch it. But she left him no peace, till at last she induced him to take a sip from the glass.
Towards two o’clock he again went into the garden, and stood on the tan-heap, meaning to wait for the Raven. But he suddenly became so tired, that he sank down and fell into a deep sleep.
When the Raven drove up with her chestnut horses, she was very mournful, and said: ‘I know he is asleep.’
She went to him, but he was fast asleep, and she could not wake him.
