noon
He beheld only the new and gorgeous prospect that war and rapine were opening before him . He thought only of the time that must elapse ere his new efforts could be commenced -- of the orders of the people among whom he should successively make his voice heard -- of the temples which he should select for restoration -- of the quarter of Rome which should first be chosen for the reception of his daring reform . At length he paused ; his exhausted energies yielded under the exertions imposed on them , and obliged him to bethink himself of refreshment and repose . It was now noon . The course of his wanderings had insensibly conducted him again to the precincts of his old , familiar dwelling-place ; he found himself at the back of the Pincian Mount , and only separated by a strip of uneven woody ground , from the base of the city wall . The place was very solitary . It was divided from the streets and mansions above by thick groves and extensive gardens , which stretched along the undulating descent of the hill .