صفحة 453 من 626

The man promised to do all that she wished, but the raven said,

'Alas! I know even now that you will take something from the

woman and be unable to save me.' The man assured her again that

he would on no account touch a thing to eat or drink.

When he came to the house and went inside, the old woman met him,

and said, 'Poor man! how tired you are! Come in and rest and let

me give you something to eat and drink.'

'No,' answered the man, 'I will neither eat not drink.'

But she would not leave him alone, and urged him saying, 'If you

will not eat anything, at least you might take a draught of wine;

one drink counts for nothing,' and at last he allowed himself to

be persuaded, and drank.