midnight
` Partial , what mean you by that , Mary ? ' asked Ellen , as a slight blush overspread her beautiful features . ` He has been very kind and attentive to all of us during our voyage , and such treatment requires , in my opinion , at least civility in return . ' Before Mary could find time to reply to the words of her companion , the ears of both our fair captives were suddenly astonished by the sound of a female voice , singing in a sweet , low tone of touching melody the following words -- ` Beware , beware , Of the false and fair , For many a noble form , Hides a heart within , Quite as full of sin , And as black as the midnight storm . ' ` This must be the very palace of enchantment , ' exclaimed Ellen , as the voice of the singer abruptly ceased , ` where one could almost be led to forget their own personal identity . But hark , I hear the strange voice again . ' Ellen and her companion again listened in almost breathless silence as the invisible vocalist continued her song , thus : ` Beware , beware , For grief and care Broods over the youthful heart , And the chastening rod Of an Infinite God , His justice will soon impart . '