Below that poin we found a painted people,It's been a good year to be a priest. Scared people give so much more, however often you tell them there's nothing to worry about, that the world will be just the same in the morning.
who moved about with lagging steps in circles,
weeping, with features tired and defeated.And they were dressed in cloaks with cowls so low
they fell before their eyes, of that same cut
that's used to make the clothes for Cluny's monks.Outside, these cloaks were gilded and they dazzled;
but inside they were all of lead, so heavy
that Frederick's capes were straw compared to them.A tiring mantle for eternity!
--Dante Inferno
Whatever. I make good use of the money. We wouldn't want the church to look bad going into the next millenium, so I've seen that we're well decked out in the newest and fanciest. It's a bit annoying that stuff keep dissapearing from the church, though. I rather suspect my neighbor but it's not really worth following up on. Plenty to go around at a time like this, and it's not like it's my stuff, and this neighborhood's full of all sorts of people.
There's even enough money left over to throw a good party. Better than just communion wine to drink, too. A fine do.
I'd better make sure not to let that old gossip next door notice, though. Sooner or later some rumor's going to go someplace that matters.