the hour of twelve
From the windows of his prison-house , he beheld the sun rise which was to be the last on which he was to look . He heard the sentinels , who kept watch over him , relieve each other ; he heard them pacing to and fro before the grated door , and as the sun rose towards the south , proclaiming the approach of noon , the agitation of Simon increased . He sat in a corner of the prison , and strove to pray ; and , as the footsteps of the sentinels quickened , he groaned in the bitterness of his spirit . At length the loud booming of the gong announced that the dial-plate upon the turret marked the hour of twelve . Simon clasped his hands together . `` Maister ! maister ! ''