I mean to cross the sea to France, and lay
My crozier in the Holy Father's hands,
And bid him re-create me, Gilbert Foliot.

FOLIOT.
Nay; by another of these customs thou
Wilt not be suffer'd so to cross the seas
Without the license of our lord the King.

BECKET.
That, too, I cannot sign.

DE BROC, DE BRITO, DE TRACY, FITZURSE, DE
MORVILLE, _start up--a clash of swords_.

Sign and obey!

BECKET.
My lords, is this a combat or a council?
Are ye my masters, or my lord the King?
Ye make this clashing for no love o' the customs
Or constitutions, or whate'er ye call them,
But that there be among you those that hold
Lands reft from Canterbury.

DE BROC.
And mean to keep them,
In spite of thee!

LORDS (_shouting_).