My conversion alas! was
tardy; but when I had become the Roman pastor then I discovered how
false life is. In it I found that the heart had no repose nor was
it possible to rise higher in that life; wherefore the desire for
this (immortal life) was kindled in me. Up to that time, I was a
wretched soul and severed from God, wholly given up to Avarice. Now
as thou seest I am punished for it here. What is the effect of
Avarice is here made manifest in the purgation of the converted
souls, and the mountain has no more bitter penalty, as our eyes
fixed on earthly things, were not lifted up on high, even so has
justice sunk them to the ground in this place. Even as Avarice
quenched our love for every good, wherefore our works were lost, so
justice doth hold us fast, bound and seized by feet and hands; and
so long as it shall be the pleasure of the just Lord, so long shall
we lie here motionless and outstretched.'" (XIX, 97.)
At this point occurs one of those delightful surprises full of realism,
that Dante uses from time to time to heighten the reader's interest. The
poet has just learned that the spirit before him is Pope Adrian IV. At
once Dante falls on his knees to pay homage to the high office of the
Roman Pontiff, and he is about to say according to the conjecture of
Benvenuto "Holy Father, I entreat your holiness to excuse my natural
ignorance, for I was not aware of your being Pope.
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