midnight
_ Enter _ ALEFTSON , _ the fool , in a fool 's coat , fool 's cap and bells , singing _ . There 's the courtier , who watches the nod of the great ; Who thinks much of his pension , and nought of the state : When for ribands and titles his honour he sells -- What is he , my friends , but a fool without bells ? There 's the gamester , who stakes on the turn of a die His house and his acres , the devil knows why : His acres he loses , his forests he sells -- What is he , my friends , but a fool without bells ? There 's the student so crabbed and wonderful wise , With his plus and his minus , his x 's and y 's : Pale at midnight he pores o'er his magical spells -- What is he , my friends , but a fool without bells ? The lover , who 's ogling , and rhyming , and sighing , Who 's musing , and pining , and whining , and dying : When a thousand of lies ev'ry minute he tells -- What is he , my friends , but a fool without bells ? There 's the lady so fine , with her airs and her graces , With a face like an angel 's -- if angels have faces : She marries , and Hymen the vision dispels -- What 's her husband , my friends , but a fool without bells ? _ Christina , Eleonora , Helmaar , & c _ .