noon
-- Who would have thought that Harold , within a few brief days , would himself possess no more of his kingdom , than the share which he allotted in his wrath to the Norwegian invader ? -- Who would have thought that you , noble Athelstane -- that you , descended of Harold 's blood , and that I , whose father was not the worst defender of the Saxon crown , should be prisoners to a vile Norman , in the very hall in which our ancestors held such high festival ? '' `` It is sad enough , '' replied Athelstane ; `` but I trust they will hold us to a moderate ransom -- At any rate it can not be their purpose to starve us outright ; and yet , although it is high noon , I see no preparations for serving dinner . Look up at the window , noble Cedric , and judge by the sunbeams if it is not on the verge of noon . '' `` It may be so , '' answered Cedric ; `` but I can not look on that stained lattice without its awakening other reflections than those which concern the passing moment , or its privations . When that window was wrought , my noble friend , our hardy fathers knew not the art of making glass , or of staining it -- The pride of Wolfganger 's father brought an artist from Normandy to adorn his hall with this new species of emblazonment , that breaks the golden light of God 's blessed day into so many fantastic hues . The foreigner came here poor , beggarly , cringing , and subservient , ready to doff his cap to the meanest native of the household .