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Page 45
There were some who regretted this peaceful result, among whom the stern
Baron of Stramen was conspicuous for his open denunciation of the treaty
nor could the polished Lord of Hers conceal his contempt for a
compromise, which threw away a present advantage, in consideration of
the fear-extorted oath of a perjured debauchee. Rodolph himself deeply
regretted that the Pope would not consent to crown him king, a
consummation he required before acting against his brother, lest he
should be branded as a rebel. Even Gilbert and Henry of Stramen were
crestfallen in the blight of all their budding hopes. Of all our Suabian
friends, Father Omehr was the only one who rejoiced in this amicable
termination of the council, and who devoutly returned thanks to God for
averting a direful war, and proclaiming, in the favorite language of
heaven, "_Pax fiat!_"
During two months and a half, Henry buried himself in solitude at Spire.
Rodolph remained watchful and expectant, now at Zurich, and now in
Saxony. All was calm in the lordships of Hers and Stramen. The Lady
Margaret was lamenting the absence of Father Omehr, who had been
summoned to Rome, and whose missionary duties were performed by the
pious Herman.
The year of grace was drawing to a close, and the proud baron began to
hope that the emperor would permit it to pass without observing the
stipulation in the treaty to repair to Rome and ask pardon of the Pope.
The new year had begun, and January was half over when the King of Arles
was startled with the intelligence that Henry had purchased from
Adelaide, the widow of the Margrave Otho, a free passage into Italy,
and, in spite of snow and ice, had crossed the Alps, and was approaching
the fortress of Canossa, whither Gregory had retired. At first it was
rumored that the monarch had gone to depose the Pope, and the Duke of
Suabia secretly exulted in the prospect of instant action. But it was
soon ascertained that Henry presented himself in the character of a
suppliant, and the result of his application was awaited with breathless
interest.
Early in the spring of 1077, toward the close of a cold, bright day,
Rodolph was seated in his palace at Zurich, surrounded by Albert of Hers
and Gilbert, on one side, and on the other, by Sandrit and Henry of
Stramen. This strange meeting, though unexpected and unwelcome to the
hostile knights, was designed by Rodolph, who thought that by thus
accustoming them to restrain their passions in his presence, and by
distinguishing them with equal confidence, aid praising both sides in
equal measure, he might control, in some degree, the antipathies he
could not entirely subdue. But the barons maintained a stern, unyielding
reserve, and Gilbert studiously avoided the disdainful gaze of Henry of
Stramen. The lamps were scarcely lighted when a messenger from Rome was
announced, and the next moment Father Omehr entered the room.
The nobles rose, and, greeting the venerable missionary respectfully and
affectionately, conducted him to a seat, and gathered about him. When
the attendants had been dismissed, and the duke invited him to proceed,
Father Omehr thus began to describe the interview between the Pope and
the king, to which he had been an eye-witness:
"I had the happiness to be with His Holiness when Henry was conducted by
the noisy populace to the walls of Canossa; and though we knew not with
any certainty whether the king's intentions were inimical or friendly, I
could discover in the Pontiff's placid face neither hope nor fear. The
first prayer presented by the royal suppliant, ascribed ambition and
envy to the leaders of the coalition against him."
"Tyrant!" interposed the Lord of Hers, "he begins his penitence by a
calumny."
"Our Holy Father only replied," continued the priest, "that the
ecclesiastical law did not permit him to judge the accused in the
absence of his accusers; and invited him, since he confided in his
innocence, to meet his accusers at Augsburg, and abide by the Papal
decision."
"Yes!" exclaimed Rodolph, eagerly. "And what said the king?"
"That the anniversary of his excommunication was approaching, and that
unless the interdict were raised, his rights to the crown would be
forfeited. Should the Pope receive him to favor at once, he promised to
submit to whatever His Holiness might subsequently decree, and answer
his accusers at Augsburg."
"Artful villain!" ejaculated Albert of Hers.
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