noon
By the looser sort , who encamped about the tower all night , lights were seen gleaming through the topmost blind-work , only disappearing with the morning sun . Strange sounds , too , were heard , or were thought to be , by those whom anxious watching might not have left mentally undisturbed -- sounds , not only of some ringing implement , but also -- so they said -- half-suppressed screams and plainings , such as might have issued from some ghostly engine , overplied . Slowly the day drew on ; part of the concourse chasing the weary time with songs and games , till , at last , the great blurred sun rolled , like a football , against the plain . At noon , the nobility and principal citizens came from the town in cavalcade , a guard of soldiers , also , with music , the more to honor the occasion . Only one hour more . Impatience grew . Watches were held in hands of feverish men , who stood , now scrutinizing their small dial-plates , and then , with neck thrown back , gazing toward the belfry , as if the eye might foretell that which could only be made sensible to the ear ; for , as yet , there was no dial to the tower-clock .