midnight
`` Suddenly the cathedral clock struck twelve with a melancholy clang . It roused the Student Hieronymus from his dream ; and rang in his ears , like the iron hoofs of the steeds of Time . Themagic hour had come , when the Divinity of the lamp most willingly revealed herself to her votary . The bronze figures seemed alive ; a white cloud rose from the flame and spread itself through the chamber , whose four walls dilated into magnificent cloud vistas ; a fragrance , as of wild-flowers , filled the air ; and a dreamy music , like distant , sweetchiming bells , announced the approach of the midnight Divinity . Through his streaming tears the heart-broken Student beheld her once more descending a pass in the snowy cloud-mountains , as , at evening , the dewy Hesperus comes from the bosom of the mist , and assumes his station in the sky . At her approach , his spirit grew more calm ; for her presence was , to his feverish heart , like a tropical night , -- beautiful and soothing and invigorating . At length she stood before him revealed in all her beauty ; and he comprehended the visible language of her sweet but silent lips ; which seemed to say ; -- ` What would the Student Hieronymus to-night ? '