midnight
And without waiting to consult the inclinations of his comrades , Peter broke into the following wild strain with all the fervor of a half-crazed improvisatore : THE CORPSE-CANDLE Lambere flamma ταφος et circum funera pasci . Through the midnight gloom did a pale blue light To the churchyard mirk wing its lonesome flight : -- Thrice it floated those old walls round -- Thrice it paused -- till the grave it found . Over the grass-green sod it glanced , Over the fresh-turned earth it danced , Like a torch in the night-breeze quivering -- Never was seen so gay a thing ! Never was seen so blithe a sight As the midnight dance of that blue light ! Now what of that pale blue flame dost know ? Canst tell where it comes from , or where it will go ? Is it the soul , released from clay , Over the earth that takes its way , And tarries a moment in mirth and glee Where the corse it hath quitted interred shall be ?