midnight
Not but that , like all other sovereigns , he had his occasional cares and vexations . The growth of his native city sometimes caused him annoyance . His little territory gradually became hemmed in by streets and houses , which intercepted air and sunshine . He was now and then subject to the irruptions of the border population , that infest the streets of a metropolis , who would sometimes make midnight forays into his dominions , and carry off captive whole platoons of his noblest subjects . Vagrant swine would make a descent , too , now and then , when the gate was left open , and lay all waste before them ; and mischievous urchins would often decapitate the illustrious sunflowers , the glory of the garden , as they lolled their heads so fondly over the walls . Still all these were petty grievances , which might now and then ruffle the surface of his mind , as a summer breeze will ruffle the surface of a mill-pond ; but they could not disturb the deep-seated quiet of his soul . He would seize a trusty staff , that stood behind the door , issue suddenly out , and anoint the back of the aggressor , whether pig or urchin , and then return within doors , marvellously refreshed and tranquillized .