Peter Christen Asbjørnsen

“ It's no good sparing the life of such a rogue."
"Yes! he knew by his spies that your Majesty was coming, and was going to take his life for his wicked tricks; but he has left me all alone without a morsel of bread or a penny in my purse," said Peik, who made himself as soft and mealy-mouthed as a young lady.
"Come along, then, to the King's Grange, and you shall have enough to live on. There's no good sitting here and starving in this cabin by yourself," said the King. ”

“ So he saw again that Peik had been out with his fooling rods this time too. Then he fell a-tearing his hair, and swore he would set off at once and slay him. He wouldn't spare him this time, whether he put a good or a bad face on it.
But Peik had taken steps to meet him again. He slaughtered a wether and caught the blood in the bladder, and stuffed it into his sister's bosom, and told her what to say and do.
"Where's Peik!" screeched out the King. He was in such a rage that his tongue faltered.
"He is so poorly that he can't stir hand or foot," she said, "and now he's trying to get a nap." ”

“ Can you do that?" said the King.
"Why!" said Peik, "how could I get on at all if I couldn't? I'm always killing every one I come near; don't you know I'm very hasty?"
"So am I hot-tempered," said the King, "and that horn I must have. I'll give you a hundred dollars for it, and besides I'll forgive you for cheating me out of my horse, and for fooling me about the pot and the block, and all else." ”