Unripened new budding gently placed
Upon his split brow, 
Brutally cleaved in twain.
To join with the blood and bone,
To meld his mettle with metal,
Cleft amidst the granite
And driven upon an edge:
To new ways;
To new kneeling;
To new tears;
To new sorrow.

Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, saint and martyr, was assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral on this day in 1170.