five in the
morning
At such a late hour , for it was now wearing on to wellnigh ten o'clock , I was not just clear about listening to any thing bloody ; but not to vex the old boy who , I am sure , would not have sleeped a wink through the night for disappointment , had he not got a free breast made of it , I at long and last consented -- provided his story was not too long . My chief particularity on this point , as I should mention , was , that it was past Benjie 's bedtime , and the callant had a hoast , which required all his mother 's as well as my own good doctoring -- having cost us two bottles of Dantzic black beer with little effect ; besides not a few other recommendations of friends and skielly acquaintances . It was best , therefore , to consent with a good grace ; so , after clearing his windpipes , James wiped the eyes of his spectacles with the corner of his red-check pocket-napkin ; and thereafter fixing them on his beak , he commenced preaching away in grand style at some queer outlandish stuff , which fairly baffled my gumption . I must confess , however , both in fairness to Taffy and to James , that , as I had been up since five in the morning , -LRB- having pawned my word to send home Duncan Imrie , the heel-cutter 's new duffle great-coat by breakfast time , as he had to go into the Edinburgh leather-market by eleven , -RRB- my een were gathering straws ; and it was only at the fearsome parts that I could for half a moment keep them sundry . `` Many men , '' however , `` many minds , '' as the copy - line book says ; and as every one has a right to judge for himself , I requested James to copy the concern out for me ; and ye here have it , word for word , without subtraction , multiplication , or addition . THE MAID OF DAMASCUS . `` All close they met , all eves , before the dusk Had taken from the stars its pleasant veil , Close in a bower of hyacinth and musk , Unknown of any , free from whispering tale . ''