midnight
But Witichis sank down upon his seat and buried his face in his hands . `` What has he sworn ? '' repeated Rauthgundis . Then Hildebrand , aiming every word at the hearts of the husband and wife , spoke : `` A few years ago a man concluded a mighty bond with four friends at the midnight hour . The sod was raised under a sacred oak , and they swore by the ancient earth and welling water , by the flickering flame and ethereal air . They mixed their living blood and swore a solemn oath ; to sacrifice all that they possessed , son and kindred , life , weapons and wives and glory , to the welfare of the Goths ! And if any one of them should refuse to keep the oath , when reminded by a brother in time of necessity , his red blood should run unavenged , like the water under the wood-sod .