midnight
When the emperor 's magician saw her , he said , `` No one can heal such sickness . A charm falls upon her every night which steals away her strength . He alone can break the spell , who , with sleepless eyes , can watch beside her bedside until sunrise . '' Gray haired nurses sat by her until morning , but a deep sleep fell upon them at midnight . Next fourscore maidens of the court , who loved her well , kept bright lights burning all the night , yet they , too , fell asleep . Five counselors of state watched with her father at the bedside . Though they propped their eyes open with their fingers , yet in the middle of the night slumber overcame them .