midnight
It was one of the saddest nights I had ever experienced , for my dearest friend and lofty teacher would no more humor my lunatic impulses , or guide me in the even , broad road of universal truth . With his voice and form forever gone , there was nothing left to me but to wander over the cheerless , mighty world as a literary pioneer and soldier of fortune , using my pen and sword wherever Love and Liberty displayed their banners . In the great literary whirlpool of London life I drowned for a season my soul-felt sorrow in the enchanting fumes of the wine cup , and its consequent allurements of variegated , fantastic society . My destiny of a thousand years of life from birth , looked alternately , bleak and glorious , yet Fate being my master , and being endowed with an irrepressible , forgiving , laughing and progressive disposition , I called up the spirits of the air one midnight hour at the Boar 's Head Tavern , and exacted from them a promise that wherever I wandered over the earth to witness the rise and fall of men and nations , like bubbles on a stormy sea , they would strictly obey my command . _ Ariel , Puck and Oberon Lent me their wings to sail upon Over the land and stormy sea To aid the cause of Liberty . A thousand years from date of birth , Destined to wander over the earth , I 'll roll with the ages brave and free , Till I round the capes of eternity ! _ I have witnessed the greatest events of the centuries in Europe , Asia and Africa , and on the spiritual wings of Truth , rapid as the lightning flash , I have sailed ; and fought the battles of the people in every land and clime , being the compeer and critic of the most illustrious poets , philosophers , statesmen and warriors for the past three hundred years .