midnight
before
The poet pitied his ignorance , and loved his curiosity , and entertained him from day to day with novelty and instruction so that the Prince regretted the necessity of sleep , and longed till the morning should renew his pleasure . As they were sitting together , the Prince commanded Imlac to relate his history , and to tell by what accident he was forced , or by what motive induced , to close his life in the Happy Valley . As he was going to begin his narrative , Rasselas was called to a concert , and obliged to restrain his curiosity till the evening . THE close of the day is , in the regions of the torrid zone , the only season of diversion and entertainment , and it was therefore midnight before the music ceased and the princesses retired . Rasselas then called for his companion , and required him to begin the story of his life . `` Sir , '' said Imlac , `` my history will not be long : the life that is devoted to knowledge passes silently away , and is very little diversified by events . To talk in public , to think in solitude , to read and to hear , to inquire and answer inquiries , is the business of a scholar .