University of Virginia Library

SCENE XI.

Canterbury. An Apartment in the Archiepiscopal Mansion.
Becket, John of Salisbury, and Henry Bosham.
John of S.
I cannot cease my prayers—nay my rebukes,
Though you of consecrated wisdom are
Prime in all England. You have been too stern,
Imperious and impatient with these men.
I tell you they are not negotiators
Commission'd by the king. Did you not mark
That fellow whose straight, black brows, met i' the front,
How he pursed up his lips, nor seem'd to hear
One word, or pro or con, but kept his eyes
Piercing the ground, his right hand on his hilts?

Bosham.
One Reginald Fitz-Urse.

Becket.
I know it well:
Soldiers are cut-throats in the king's livery,
Murderers whom the laws make gallows-free.

John of S.
Why then provoke them with such bitter taunts,
Such scorn intolerant and intolerable?—
[Noise without.
They are return'd!—I knew it!

Bosham.
My dear lord,
I'm a weak timorous scholar; but for you
Feel myself strong both arm and soul to die:
'Tis not my cowardice speaks—flee, flee, dear Master!

Becket.
Becket resists the Devil, and He shall flee!

Enter Gryme hastily.
Gryme.
To the Church! to sanctuary! fly! fly! fly!

Becket.
Have they got in?

Gryme.
De Broke, that privy traitor,
Mad to be excommuned beyond all grace,
Hath join'd, and leads them up the postern-stairs,
When we had barr'd the portal.

Becket.
How soon, think you,
Will they have burst their way to us?

Gryme.
Five doors!

Becket.
Five oaken, clouted doors?—Fetch me my robes.

John of S.
My gracious lord—my friend—upon my knees—

[Kneeling to him.
Becket.
Richard, obey me!—All in time, good John!
Get up and help me to array.
[Noise without.
My alb—
My pall—my sandals; let me have the mitre—
You hurry, John: be calm; more haste worse speed!
Now, where 's my crosier?
[Noise approaches.
Henry Bosham, you
Go to my almery, here 's the key (remember
'Tis somewhat stiff, so force it not!), and fetch me
My emperor of rings, bright Peretot,
Jewelry-all—

[Exit Bosham, and soon returns.
John of S.
(to himself).
I know not which to name it,
Grandeur of soul or pettiness, pride of state,
Contempt of peril, calm from sense of right,
Or contradictiveness insane!

Becket
(putting on the ring).
I'm ready.
Nay, my precedence is to be preceded,
The greatest comes the last. Go ye before me.

[Exeunt.
Fitz-Urse, De Morville, De Traci, Brito, De Broke, and others, break in.
Conspirators.
Where is the traitor? where? where? he is fled!

De Broke.
Here is a secret passage to the Church:
Thither the wild beast scours as to his den,
I'll wind it like a terrier after him,
And lead the pack into his very lair:
Follow me, friends!

[Exeunt.