the first hour after midnight
Youth has a right to go astray now and then so long as it does not entirely forget the path in which it ought to tread . '' Antinous was deeply touched by these words , and he secretly pressed to his lips a fold of the Emperor 's toga as he walked in front . It was as though he wanted to make amends in advance for the crime he had not yet committed . Wrapped in his cloak he kept the Emperor silent company during his studies , till the close of the first hour after midnight . The sharp , north wind which blew through the darkness did his aching head good , and still he racked his wits for some pretext to attract Hadrian from his labors , but in vain . His tormented brain was like a dried-up well ; bucket after bucket did he send down , but not one brought up the refreshing draught he needed . Nothing -- nothing could he think of that could conduce to his end .