midnight
The shadowy earth , the air , and ocean -- all was still . Along the deep serene of the heavens , a few light clouds floated slowly , through whose skirts the stars now seemed to tremble , and now to emerge with purer splendour . Blanche 's thoughts arose involuntarily to the Great Author of the sublime objects she contemplated , and she breathed a prayer of finer devotion , than any she had ever uttered beneath the vaulted roof of a cloister . At this casement , she remained till the glooms of midnight were stretched over the prospect . She then retired to her pillow , and , `` with gay visions of tomorrow , '' to those sweet slumbers , which health and happy innocence only know . Tomorrow , to fresh woods and pastures new . What transport to retrace our early plays , Our easy bliss , when each thing joy supplied The woods , the mountains and the warbling maze Of the wild brooks !