midnight
After the sun had set on Chanctonbury on Saturday night , he came exhausted to the Ring again , and stood on that high hill gazing earthward . But there was no light above or below , and he said : `` I have lost all . For the earth is swallowed in blackness , and the Woman has disappeared into space , and I myself have cast away my spiritual initiation . I will sit by the Pond till midnight , and if the bird sings then I will still hope , but if it does not I will dip my head in the water and not lift it again . '' So he went and lay down by the Pond in the darkness , and the hours wore away . But as the time of the bird 's song drew near he clasped his hands and prayed . But the bird did not sing ; and when he judged that midnight was come , he got upon his knees and prepared to put his head under the water .