midnight
Glutted with imaginings of all that was transpiring there , he clapped his hands , and repeated the refrain in its past form : `` Now have the winds come , and the fire , and the punishment . So be it ever unto all who encourage violence to children , and reject God . '' An hour afterwards , he was asleep peacefully as if there were no such thing as conscience , or a misery like remorse . * * * * * Shortly after midnight an officer of the guard ventured to approach the couch of the Emperor Constantine ; in his great excitement he even shook the sacred person . `` Awake , Your Majesty , awake , and save the city . It is a sea of fire . '' Constantine was quickly attired , and went first to the top of the Tower of Isaac .