ld be to seek an opportunity of saving
Gilbert's life in the coming struggle. Henry's chivalrous nature was
easily attracted by this suggestion, and he determined to prove his
superiority over his rival, before attempting his ultimate revenge.

Father Omehr's duties increased as the fifteenth of October approached.
The yeomen and vassals of Stramen recked little of their bodies, but
they cared not to peril their souls. They feared not to expose their
breasts to the arrow and lance, and to meet the powerful war-horse with
unflinching spear; but they were solicitous, at the same time, to purify
their hearts for the mortal struggle. This wise precaution indicates no
craven spirit, for he who fears eternity the most, fears death the
least. The good missionary beheld with a mournful eye the preparations
everywhere making for a struggle apparently inevitable. He shared not in
the ambition of Rodolph or the ardor of his barons; and he bitterly
lamented the dire necessity which compelled blessed peace to disappear
beneath the withering breath of war. Yet war seemed to be the
unavoidable result of the excommunication, and the action of the Pope
was necessary to preserve the purity and liberty of the Church. Deeply
as he deplored the present crisis, he exclaimed, "Thy will, O God, be
done! We have done what seemed to be our duty, be the consequences what
they may!"

The empire was thus divided into two great parties. At first the
partisans of the king were much more numerous and powerful, but their
strength was daily diminishing, as conscience began to operate upon
some, and fear upon others. The most marked and appalling chastisement
was overtaking the fiercest calumniators of the Pope. It happened that,
on a certain festival, the Bishop William, in the presence of the king,
interrupted the Mass by a violent denunciation of the Pope, in which he
called him an adulterer and false apostle, and assailed him with bitter
raillery. Hardly had the ceremonies been concluded before the episcopal
slanderer was struck down with a fatal malady. In the midst of the most
excruciating torments of mind and body, he turned to the minions of
Henry who surrounded him, and cried: "Go, tell the king, that he, and I,
and all who have connived at his guilt, are lost for eternity!" The
clerks at his bedside conjured him not to rave in that manner; but he
replied, "And why shall I not reveal what is clear to my soul? Behold
the demons clinging to my co