Mused sad, or dreamt of better."
On the people finding that they could put out their fires and go to bed when they pleased, it would appear, from being recorded in many places, that the time of ringing the curfew bell was first changed from eight to nine o'clock, then from nine to ten, and afterwards to the early hours of the morning. Thus we find in Romeo and Juliet:
"The curfew bell hath rung:
'Tis three o'clock."
In Shakspeare's works frequent mention is made of the curfew. In the Tempest he gives the following:
"You whose pastime
Is to make midnight mushrooms—that rejoice
To hear the solemn curfew."
In Measure for Measure:
"Duke. Who call'd here of late?