The nights are wholesome, and no mildew falls;
No planet strikes, nor spirits walk abroad:
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,
So gracious and so hallowed is the time.
The ancient Christians divided the night into four watches, called the evening, midnight, and two morning cock-crowings. Their connexion with the belief in walking spirits will be remembered—
The cock crows, and the morn prows on,
When 'tis decreed I must be gone."—Butler.
—The tale
Of horrid apparition, tall and ghastly,
That walks at dead of night, or takes his stand