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As it drew towards the appointed hour, he went outside into the

garden and mounted the tan-heap to await the raven. Suddenly a

feeling of fatigue came over him, and unable to resist it, he lay

down for a little while, fully determined, however, to keep

awake; but in another minute his eyes closed of their own accord,

and he fell into such a deep sleep, that all the noises in the

world would not have awakened him. At two o'clock the raven came

driving along, drawn by her four white horses; but even before

she reached the spot, she said to herself, sighing, 'I know he

has fallen asleep.' When she entered the garden, there she found

him as she had feared, lying on the tan-heap, fast asleep. She

got out of her carriage and went to him; she called him and shook

him, but it was all in vain, he still continued sleeping.