sunrise, noon
Ormaz broke into a laugh . `` And thou dost rule them , wise Virgin , with a rod of iron ! '' he said satirically ... `` The King himself is but a slave in thy hands ! '' `` The King is a devout believer , '' -- remarked a dainty , effeminate-looking youth , arrayed in a wonderfully picturesque garb of glistening purple , -- `` He pays his vows to Nagaya three times a day , at sunrise , noon , and sunset , -- and 't is said he hath oft been seen of late in silent meditation alone before the Sacred Veil , even after midnight . Maybe he is there at this very moment , offering up a royal petition for those of his less pious subjects who , like ourselves , love good wine more than long prayers . Ah ! -- he is a most austere and noble monarch , -- a very anchorite and pattern of strict religious discipline !