Never had his eye flashed forth such wild lustre, or his bosom heaved with such pent-up emotion.
Then, as the main body of the Saxons pressed rapidly forward under Otto of Nordheim, against the foe disordered by pursuit, and Rodolph saw his plans accomplished, he turned to the Archbishop of Mayence, and exclaimed, in a voice broken by deep feeling: "The day is ours!" The prelate uttered a prayer of thanksgiving, and, turning to the king, said: "I give your highness joy!" "I may need your prayers rather than your congratulations," replied Rodolph, in a whisper, and he closed his visor.
The king still occupied the height from which he had directed the battle, that had now become general.

Around him were the chivalry of Suabia and his former faithful subjects, acting in concert with a large body of Saxons.

Henry's army was divided into two bodies, one of which, commanded by the monarch in person, was engaged with Otto, while the other, led by Godfrey de Bouillon and Frederick of Hohenstaufen, assailed the Bavarians.

Welf, borne down by numbers, still retreated in obedience to his instructions.
"Our turn has come at last, gentlemen," cried the king.

"Forward!" The barons, who had waited as impatiently as hounds in the leash, required no second bidding, but dashed after their chivalrous monarch, who was in full course with his lance in rest.