noon
I declare that this bold metaphor is admirable , and that the natural history of the theatre , on a day of allegory and royal marriage songs , is not in the least startled by a dolphin who is the son of a lion . It is precisely these rare and Pindaric mixtures which prove the poet 's enthusiasm . Nevertheless , in order to play the part of critic also , the poet might have developed this beautiful idea in something less than two hundred lines . It is true that the mystery was to last from noon until four o'clock , in accordance with the orders of monsieur the provost , and that it was necessary to say something . Besides , the people listened patiently . All at once , in the very middle of a quarrel between Mademoiselle Merchandise and Madame Nobility , at the moment when Monsieur Labor was giving utterance to this wonderful line , -- In forest ne'er was seen a more triumphant beast ; the door of the reserved gallery which had hitherto remained so inopportunely closed , opened still more inopportunely ; and the ringing voice of the usher announced abruptly , `` His eminence , Monseigneur the Cardinal de Bourbon . '' Poor Gringoire !