midnight
Skirting its foot he now proceeded , brushing away the shining dew , disturbing the lazy lizard and the serenading grasshopper , and hearing below him the harsh croaking of the bullfrog in the pool ; whilst , ever and anon , the gust awoke , with a huge sigh , the dreaming maples , poplars , and dark , penitential pines . From the remote , secluded farms came the faint bark of dogs ; and amidst such sights and sounds he at length emerged upon the winding road , that , if followed , would lead him past Stillyside . Slowly and without special aim he continued to walk , ruminating and still drawn onwards , lured by the time and scene , until the sound alike of mastiff and of cur had ceased , the grasshopper refused to pipe upon the dusty road , and the too distant bullfrog was no longer heard gurgling to its mates , but all was silent , lying as in a trance , both heaven and earth . And then he paused , and lapsing into meditation , stood unconscious of surrounding things , till the tolling of the clock in the distant tower of the cathedral of Notre Dame awoke him , and , starting from his reverie and listening , he counted the hours to the full score of midnight . Struck , then , by the weird aspect of the scene and singular silence , a vague sense of horror stole through him , and he exclaimed hoarsely : `` This is the very witching time of night , when churchyards yawn and spirits walk abroad ! '' and scarcely had the words escaped his lips when a wild tumult rose near him , and he perceived a bacchanalian and disorderly troop of both sexes sallying into the moonlight ; wherein with uncouth antics and inviting pose , they disported towards a group of trees , encircling which , and in the chequered beams beneath their boughs , he beheld them in Harlequin and Columbine-like appeals of passion , or already mated and forming for the meditated measure ; appearing the very gang of Circe ; -- and in their midst he now observed his son , the brutish looking , cunning , and sensual Narcisse , wine-flushed and loud , and seeming to be the mimic Comus of the crew . As with the power of divination , he at once comprehended the spectacle .