d at length arrived, and the eyes of Germany
were eagerly directed to Tribur. The left bank of the Rhine was
glittering with the chivalry of Upper Germany, and the legions of Suabia
were encamped along the bristling river. Here might be seen the swarthy
Bohemian, the stern Thuringian rider, the gay Loinhard, and the gigantic
Swiss, all mingling together, and apparently indifferent as to where
they might be led. Gilbert de Hers felt a new and ardent delight in
gazing upon the long and dazzling array of helmets and spears. He longed
for the hour when the whole mass would be in motion against a body as
beautiful and powerful as itself. With far different feelings did Father
Omehr behold the formidable battalia. He knew that the pomp of war, if
often sung by poets, is oftener chronicled in hell. In the beautiful
language of the age, he had been taught that "Peace is the language of
heaven, for Christ, who came from heaven, spoke that language, saying,
'_Pax vobis!_' It is the language of Angels, who cried, exulting, '_In
terra pax!_' It is the language of the Apostles, who thus greeted every
house they entered: '_Pax huic domui_'" Were the hasty and unscrupulous
penmen of our generation to draw their information from the writings of
the Saints, instead of from martial legends or miserable perversions
even of these, they would find the spirit of the Ages of Faith
eminently pacific, and could be induced so to represent it. At least,
the Church, the teacher and the regenerator of Europe, breathed nothing
but "Peace!" Many holy doctors went so far as to condemn hunting, as
being calculated to make men love war. And even the war-cry of the
red-crossed knights was: "_Mansuetudinem quaerimus et non bella!_"

The nobles of the empire, the principal prelates who remained faithful
to Rome, and the Papal legates, Siccard, Patriarch of Aquileia, and
Altmann, Bishop of Passau, were assembled within the town in solemn
council. Scarcely, however, had their deliberations begun, before Otto
of Nordheim, at the head of the flower of Saxony, appeared among them
and declared himself in their favor. Then former jealousies and wrongs
were forgotten, and Otto and Welf and Rodolph, cordially embracing each
other, devoted themselves to the execution of whatever enterprise the
common cause might require. Seven days were consumed by the council in
the discussion of the diseases, the wants, and the dangers of the State.
In the meantime, Henry, apprised