III + 

Ye higher men, it is getting on to midnight: then will I say something into your ears, as that old clock-bell saith it into mine ear⁠— + 

—As mysteriously, as frightfully, and as cordially as that midnight clock-bell speaketh it to me, which hath experienced more than one man: + 

—Which hath already counted the smarting throbbings of your fathers’ hearts⁠—ah! ah! how it sigheth! how it laugheth in its dream! the old, deep, deep midnight! + 

Hush! Hush! Then is there many a thing heard which may not be heard by day; now however, in the cool air, when even all the tumult of your hearts hath become still⁠— + 

—Now doth it speak, now is it heard, now doth it steal into overwakeful, nocturnal souls: ah! ah! how the midnight sigheth! how it laugheth in its dream! + 

—Hearest thou not how it mysteriously, frightfully, and cordially speaketh unto thee, the old deep, deep midnight? + 

O man, take heed! + 