---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Twelve times did the iron register of…"
description: "\"“Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell-metal, summoning the ghosts to rise, and walk their nightly round. - In plainer l..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/henry-fielding-1358_ghosts_twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-ti_621504.png"
---

#  Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the…

![“Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell-metal, summoning the ghosts to rise, and walk their nightly round. - In plainer language, it was twelve o'clock...” quote by Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/henry-fielding-1358_ghosts_twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-ti_621504.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/henry-fielding-1358_ghosts_twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-ti_621504.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/henry-fielding-1358_ghosts_twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-ti_621504.png)

> ““Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell-metal, summoning the ghosts to rise, and walk their nightly round. - In plainer language, it was twelve o'clock...””

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A clock striking twelve summons spirits to awaken and begin their nightly patrol.

**In simple terms:** Midnight calls ghosts to start their night.

Key Takeaway

Recognize symbolic moments that signal change.

Themes

mystery supernatural time ritual

Mood

eerie thoughtful poetic

Type

literary descriptive

When to use this quote

- haunted houses
- night watches
- rituals
- storytelling

Key Concepts

symbolism night cycle mythic narrative

Questions to Reflect On

- What does midnight represent in your life?
- How do rituals shape perception of time?

A Different Perspective

Interpretation may vary across cultures.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Ghosts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghosts/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [“At the same time, Ambrosio had given me a brief glimpse of a different, compelling sort of life, a life in which there seemed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-paterniti/at-the-same-time-ambrosio-had-given-me-a-brief-glimpse-of-a-different/)

[Michael Paterniti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-paterniti/)

> [“I watch Jace Herondale play, and I see the ghosts that rise up in the music. Don't you?" "Ghosts are memories, and we carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-watch-jace-herondale-play-and-i-see-the-ghosts-that-rise-up-in-the/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [He aplogised several times and then he did it again… he did it again and then apologised several times that he shan't!!!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepa-rana/he-aplogised-several-times-and-then-he-did-it-again-he-did-it-again/)

[DEEPA RANA](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepa-rana/)

> [I did the Ed Sullivan show four times. I did the Steve Allen show. I did the Jackie Gleason show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elvis-presley/i-did-the-ed-sullivan-show-four-times-i-did-the-steve-allen-show-i/)

[Elvis Presley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elvis-presley/)

> [“So how was it? Did it hurt? Was he gentle? How many times did y’all do it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-brewer/so-how-was-it-did-it-hurt-was-he-gentle-how-many-times-did-y-all-do-it/)

[Annie Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-brewer/)

> [“How many times did we pass each other before we met? If only I’d known…. I would have searched for you endlessly. If only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranata-suzuki/how-many-times-did-we-pass-each-other-before-we-met-if-only-i-d-known/)

[Ranata Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranata-suzuki/)

> [How many times did someone have to run in front of a machine gun before it became an act of cowardice?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-herr/how-many-times-did-someone-have-to-run-in-front-of-a-machine-gun/)

[Michael Herr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-herr/)

> [“How many times did she have to say goodbye?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/how-many-times-did-she-have-to-say-goodbye/)

[Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/)

> [“This was going to be worse than the time I table danced in the diner in high school!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bryson/this-was-going-to-be-worse-than-the-time-i-table-danced-in-the-diner/)

[Kathy Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bryson/)

> [“A memory that costs you something," he said aloud, almost to himself. "One that hurts to remember. That makes you regret what you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daria-lavelle/a-memory-that-costs-you-something-he-said-aloud-almost-to-himself-one/)

Daria Lavelle

> [“Most people would probably call me a ghost. I am, after all, dead. But I don't think of myself that way. It wasn't so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-pike/most-people-would-probably-call-me-a-ghost-i-am-after-all-dead-but-i/)

[Christopher Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-pike/)

> [“All right, you deadly little ghostlings,” I muttered. “Mama says go back to bed! - Cat”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/all-right-you-deadly-little-ghostlings-i-muttered-mama-says-go-back/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [“One person's strange is another person's normal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-harper/one-person-s-strange-is-another-person-s-normal/)

[Dani Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-harper/)

> [Nice is a city of ghosts and specters, but I hope not to become one of them right away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-modiano/nice-is-a-city-of-ghosts-and-specters-but-i-hope-not-to-become-one-of/)

[Patrick Modiano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-modiano/)

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

## More by Henry Fielding

> [“Though Jones had formerly believed himself in the very prime of youth and vigor, his first encounter with Lady Bellaston both vexed and puzzled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/though-jones-had-formerly-believed-himself-in-the-very-prime-of-youth/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [A good man therefore is a standing lesson to us all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/a-good-man-therefore-is-a-standing-lesson-to-us-all/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [Good-breeding is not confined to externals, much less to any particular dress or attitude of the body; it is the art of pleasing, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/good-breeding-is-not-confined-to-externals-much-less-to-any/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it, a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/adversity-is-the-trial-of-principle-without-it-a-man-hardly-knows/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [Sir, money, money, the most charming of all things; money, which will say more in one moment than the most elegant lover can in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/sir-money-money-the-most-charming-of-all-things-money-which-will-say/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [The greatest part of mankind labor under one delirium or another; and Don Quixote differed from the rest, not in madness, but the species…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/the-greatest-part-of-mankind-labor-under-one-delirium-or-another-and/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [Want compassion is not to be numbered among the general faults of mankind. The black ingredient which fouls our disposition is envy. Hence our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/want-compassion-is-not-to-be-numbered-among-the-general-faults-of/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [It is well known to all great men, that by conferring an obligation they do not always procure a friend, but are certain of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/it-is-well-known-to-all-great-men-that-by-conferring-an-obligation/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [One fool at least in every married couple.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/one-fool-at-least-in-every-married-couple/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [A lover, when he is admitted to cards, ought to be solemnly silent, and observe the motions of his mistress. He must laugh when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/a-lover-when-he-is-admitted-to-cards-ought-to-be-solemnly-silent-and/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [If you make money your god, it will plague you like the devil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/if-you-make-money-your-god-it-will-plague-you-like-the-devil/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [As a conquered rebellion strengthens a government, or as health is more perfectly established by recovery from some diseases; so anger, when removed, often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/as-a-conquered-rebellion-strengthens-a-government-or-as-health-is/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [A wonder lasts but nine days, and then the puppy's eyes are open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/a-wonder-lasts-but-nine-days-and-then-the-puppy-s-eyes-are-open/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [Custom may lead a man into many errors; but it justifies none.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/custom-may-lead-a-man-into-many-errors-but-it-justifies-none/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

> [A grave aspect to a grave character is of much more consequence than the world is generally aware of; a barber may make you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/a-grave-aspect-to-a-grave-character-is-of-much-more-consequence-than/)

[Henry Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

[Explore all 246 Henry Fielding quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/)

## More Ghosts quotes

> [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/)

[Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/)

> [“This was going to be worse than the time I table danced in the diner in high school!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathy-bryson/this-was-going-to-be-worse-than-the-time-i-table-danced-in-the-diner/)

[Kathy Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathy-bryson/)

> [Nice is a city of ghosts and specters, but I hope not to become one of them right away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-modiano/nice-is-a-city-of-ghosts-and-specters-but-i-hope-not-to-become-one-of/)

[Patrick Modiano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-modiano/)

> [“One person's strange is another person's normal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-harper/one-person-s-strange-is-another-person-s-normal/)

[Dani Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-harper/)

> [“All right, you deadly little ghostlings,” I muttered. “Mama says go back to bed! - Cat”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/all-right-you-deadly-little-ghostlings-i-muttered-mama-says-go-back/)

[Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/)

> [“Most people would probably call me a ghost. I am, after all, dead. But I don't think of myself that way. It wasn't so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-pike/most-people-would-probably-call-me-a-ghost-i-am-after-all-dead-but-i/)

[Christopher Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-pike/)

> [“A memory that costs you something," he said aloud, almost to himself. "One that hurts to remember. That makes you regret what you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daria-lavelle/a-memory-that-costs-you-something-he-said-aloud-almost-to-himself-one/)

Daria Lavelle

> [“I am made of a thousand ghosts. Only you can shoot me down.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-james/i-am-made-of-a-thousand-ghosts-only-you-can-shoot-me-down/)

Bella James

> [Many memories were long forgotten, and many became ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blackmore-s-night/many-memories-were-long-forgotten-and-many-became-ghosts/)

Blackmore's Night

> [Do I believe in ghosts?...I am prepared to consider evidence and accept it if it satisfies me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-r-james/do-i-believe-in-ghosts-i-am-prepared-to-consider-evidence-and-accept/)

[M. R. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-r-james/)

> [“Before her escort could react, she sprinted out from their little pool of lantern-light into the darkness, her feet pounding the soft, treacherous clods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hardinge/before-her-escort-could-react-she-sprinted-out-from-their-little-pool/)

[Frances Hardinge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hardinge/)

> [“I assure you; while I look like a ghost, I'm no spirit or demon. I'm nothing but a girl struggling to make her way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leanna-renee-hieber/i-assure-you-while-i-look-like-a-ghost-i-m-no-spirit-or-demon-i-m/)

[Leanna Renee Hieber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leanna-renee-hieber/)

> [They call them the haunted shores, these stretches of Devonshire and Cornwall and Ireland which rear up against the westward ocean. Mists gather here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dodie-smith/they-call-them-the-haunted-shores-these-stretches-of-devonshire-and/)

[Dodie Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dodie-smith/)

> [I think I do believe in the afterlife; I have heard stories from people who I can completely trust that have seen ghosts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saoirse-ronan/i-think-i-do-believe-in-the-afterlife-i-have-heard-stories-from/)

[Saoirse Ronan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saoirse-ronan/)

> [“The banana flavour of his accidental conception, and the banana theme of his accidental death, now all seemed to conspire against him and rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-conrad/the-banana-flavour-of-his-accidental-conception-and-the-banana-theme/)

[Tom Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-conrad/)

[Browse all 1,103 Ghosts quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghosts/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell-metal, summoning the ghosts to rise, and walk their nightly round. - In plainer language, it was twelve o'clock...”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Henry Fielding"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-time-beat-on-the-sonorous-bell/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Ghosts"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-time-beat-on-the-sonorous-bell/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/henry-fielding-1358_ghosts_twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-ti_621504.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/henry-fielding-1358_ghosts_twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-ti_621504.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cf/henry-fielding-1358_ghosts_twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-ti_621504.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Twelve times did the iron register of time beat on the sonorous bell-metal, summoning the ghosts to rise…” — Henry Fielding",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Henry Fielding",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-fielding/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“Twelve times did the iron register...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-time-beat-on-the-sonorous-bell/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-fielding/twelve-times-did-the-iron-register-of-time-beat-on-the-sonorous-bell/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
