LIFE AND TIMES OF THOMAS BECKET., 
‘he other prelates, Tell them you are ready to obey 
the law and to go back to England if you are treated 
with justice. The adversary will not agree to Con- 
ditions really fair, but you will have set yourself 
tight with the world. Should the king be more 
moderate than I think he will be, do not stand upon 
securities, Content yourself with a promise under 
the king’s hand, and the assurance of the empress 
mother. Do not try the censures. You know my 
opinion about this, and you once agreed with me. 
The king is not afraid of excommunication, The 
bishops and most of the clergy have stood by him; 
some may be with us in heart, but they are not to 
be depended on.’ 1 
Becket, like most persons of his temperament, 
asked. advice without meaning to follow it, He 
addressed the king in a letter which Herbert de- 
Scribes as being of extreme sweetness, It was to 
entreat him to let Loose the bride of Christ whom he 
held in captivity, and to warn him that if he per- 
severed in his wicked ways, ‘Christ would gird his 
Sword upon his thigh/ and would descend from 
heaven to punish him. Inflated language of this 
kind was not general at that time. It was peculiar 
to Becket, and we need not be surprised that iv 
i John of Salisbury bu Beck. ' ‚165 (abridged),