midnight
`` Yes , '' he went on , `` with my son to aid me , I might have had my due share in the triumphs of this century : the names of the Bardi , father and son , might have been held reverently on the lips of scholars in the ages to come ; not on account of frivolous verses or philosophical treatises , which are superfluous and presumptuous attempts to imitate the inimitable , such as allure vain men like Panhormita , and from which even the admirable Poggio did not keep himself sufficiently free ; but because we should have given a lamp whereby men might have studied the supreme productions of the past . For why is a young man like Poliziano -LRB- who was not yet born when I was already held worthy to maintain a discussion with Thomas of Sarzana -RRB- to have a glorious memory as a commentator on the Pandects -- why is Ficino , whose Latin is an offence to me , and who wanders purblind among the superstitious fancies that marked the decline at once of art , literature , and philosophy , to descend to posterity as the very high priest of Platonism , while I , who am more than their equal , have not effected anything but scattered work , which will be appropriated by other men ? Why ? but because my son , whom I had brought up to replenish my ripe learning with young enterprise , left me and all liberal pursuits that he might lash himself and howl at midnight with besotted friars -- that he might go wandering on pilgrimages befitting men who know of no past older than the missal and the crucifix ? -- left me when the night was already beginning to fall on me . '' In these last words the old man 's voice , which had risen high in indignant protest , fell into a tone of reproach so tremulous and plaintive that Romola , turning her eyes again towards the blind aged face , felt her heart swell with forgiving pity . She seated herself by her father again , and placed her hand on his knee -- too proud to obtrude consolation in words that might seem like a vindication of her own value , yet wishing to comfort him by some sign of her presence .