Midday
The bells of Eulogius and Eucherius were rung freely on occasion ; but Epinal has not since enjoyed any greater immunity from storms than the contiguous districts . One day an aged traveller , who had spent many years in Heathenesse and in whom some discerned a remarkable resemblance to the sorcerer , noticed the bell , and asked permission to examine it . He soon discovered the inscription , recognised the mysterious characters as Greek , read them without the least difficulty -- '' -LSB- Greek : Mæ kinei Kamarinan akinætos gar ameinoon -RSB- -- '' and favoured the townsmen with this free but substantially accurate translation : -- `` CA N'T YOU LET WELL ALONE ? '' Midday , midsummer , middle of the dark ages . Fine healthy weather at the city of Biserta in Barbary . Wind blowing strong from the sea , roughening the dark blue waters , and fretting their indigo with foam , as though the ocean 's coursers champed an invisible curb . On land tawny sand whirling , green palm-fans swaying and whistling , men abroad in the noonday blaze rejoicing in the unwonted freshness .