“In olden times a giant wrestled with this terrible enemy Death, and vanquished him. As the grim foe lay helpless by the wayside he began to grumble. ‘What will be the consequence of my downfall to the world? If I lie here, then it will be so full and crowded with humanity that they will not be able to move for each other.’
“Just then a young man came up the road, strong and healthy, singing a song, and looking well about him. As soon as he perceived the [[281]]conquered one he went up to him, and compassionately raising him, bound up his wounds, and nursed him until strength returned.
“ ‘Do you know who I am?’ asked Death, when he was fairly on his legs again.
“ ‘No,’ replied the youth. ‘I know you not.’
“ ‘I am Death,’ he replied. ‘I spare no one, and can take no excuse from you even. But to show you that I am not ungrateful, I promise not to take you unawares, but I will send my messengers before I come and fetch you.’
“ ‘Very well,’ said the young man, ‘that is a bargain. Until your harbingers come I shall be safe from you.’
“With this understanding the mortal pursued his way merrily, and lived in prosperity for some time; but youth and health will not remain for ever. Pain and sickness and grief came, and the man complained that there was no rest for him night or day. ‘I shall not die,’ he said, ‘for Death must first send his messengers; but I wish these fearful days of illness were over.’
“Health returned again, and he began to live as usual. One day, somebody knocked at the window, and looking round he saw Death standing behind him. ‘Follow me,’ he said.
“ ‘How so?’ exclaimed the mortal. ‘Will you [[282]]break the promise that you made to me, that your servants should first give me notice ere you appeared? I have not seen them.’
“ ‘Be silent,’ replied Death. ‘Have I not sent you one messenger after another? Did not fever come and seize you and lay you prostrate? Did not racking pain oppress your limbs, noises sound in your ears, a dimness cover your eyes? Above all, did not my twin brother, Sleep, remind you every night that I should come?’