The sternness of
age and the austerity of censoriousness are now silent. Now pleasure
wears a freer garb; and the manners of enjoyment are more frank and
unrestrained. The thinness of indiscretion and the airy forms of
inadvertence are lost and annihilated amid the shadows of the night.
"Now the numerous inhabitants of the waters come forth from their oozy
beds and play and flounce in the beams of the moon. Round the luminary
of the night the stars lead up the mystic dance, and compose the music
of the spheres. The deities of the woods and the deities of the rivers
come out from their secret haunts, and keep their pastimes
unapprehensive of human intrusion. The elves and the fairies repair to
their sports, and trip along the velvet green with many-twinkling feet.
Let us imitate their amiable alacrity and their cheerful amusements.
"What has sleep to do with the secrecy and silence of the night? It is
the hour of pleasure unrestrained and free. It is the hour in which the
empire of beauty is complete, and those mysteries are disclosed which
the profaner eye of day must never behold. Ye that are wise, ye that are
favoured of propitious heaven, drink deep of the cup of pleasure! The
festive board is spread before you; the flowing bowl is proffered for
your acceptance.
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