Midnight
O God , for what trifles are we toiling ! '' It was difficult to recognize Gilbert de Hers in the pale , excited face and trembling figure which , with clasped hands and eyes upturned , uttered these meaning words . Another hour passed , and the youth was kneeling at the missionary 's feet . Midnight was tolled by the great bell of the cathedral , and Gilbert had risen . `` My son , '' said Father Omehr , as they parted , `` you have been taught to despise the world -- the next step is to love God ! '' Otto of Nordheim and Welf of Bavaria had determined to keep their forces together until apprised of Henry 's further designs , and the allied armies rested upon their arms at Merseburg . In the meantime Henry used every artifice to raise another army ; but such a panic had seized his adherents , that they declared they would rather be swallowed up in the earth than again encounter the Saxons .