midnight
These reflections did nothing to help him , and yet he could not escape from them , till suddenly his charioteer pulled up the horses abruptly by the side of the footway to make room for a delegation of Egyptian priests who were going in procession to Lochias . The powerful hand with which his servant had promptly controlled the fiery spirit of the animals excited his approbation , and seemed to inspire him to put a clog boldly on the wheels of speeding fate . When they were no longer detained by the Egyptian delegates he desired the charioteer to drive slowly , for he wished to gain time for consideration . `` Until the third hour after midnight , '' said he to himself , `` all is to go well ; it is not till the fourth hour that signs are to appear in the sky which are of evil augury for me . Of course the sheep will play round the dead lion , and the ass will even spurn him with his hoof so long as he is merely sick . In the short space of time between the third and fourth hours all the signs of evil are crowded together . They must be visible ; but '' -- and this `` but '' brought sudden illumination to the praetor 's mind , `` why should Caesar see them ? ''