midnight
Was he not bidden ? ' ` He was , but there is no written law for him . He moves in his own eccentric orbit . He will come when most unexpected , suddenly , like an eagle from the clear blue depths of the sky , or as a comet from out the midnight gloom . ' ` Why , daughter , there he is , conversing with that sweet maid of Smyrna ! Let us crowd all sail , and bear down on his weather . Quickly !