“At my behest, and by the orders of the pike,
Come, faggots, haste, and my assailants strike.”
In a moment all the blocks of wood and faggots jumped off the sledge and began to hit right and left, and they hit so well that the men were glad to get out of the way as best they could.
The sluggard laughed at them till his sides ached; then he remounted his sledge, and was soon lying on the stove again.
From that day he became famous, and his doings were talked about all through the country.
At last even the king heard of him, and, his curiosity being aroused, he sent some of his soldiers to fetch him.
“Now then, booby,” said the soldier, “come down off that stove and follow me to the king’s palace.”
“Why should I? There is as much cider, onions, and soup as I want at home.”
The man, indignant at his want of respect, struck him.
Upon which the sluggard said: