From the Diet of Worms to the Augsburg Confession - James Aitken Wylie

Eschewing all show, he occupied himself
wholly with his religious duties, and a faint smile
was the nearest approach he ever made to mirth.
Such was the man whom the cardinals, moved by
some sudden and mysterious impulse, or it may be
responsive to the touch of the imperial hand, united
in raising to the Papal chair. He was in all points
the opposite of the magnificent Leo.
Adrian VI. – for under this title did he reign–
was of humble birth, but his talents were good and
his conduct was exemplary. He began his public
life as professor at Louvain. He next became tutor
to the Emperor Charles, by whose influence, joined
to his own merits, he was made Cardinal of
Tortosa. He was in Spain, on the emperor's
business, when the news of his election reached
him. The cardinals, who by this time were alarmed
at their own deed, hoped the modest man would
decline the dazzling post. They were disappointed.
Adrian, setting out for Rome with his old
housekeeper, took possession of the magnificent
apartments which Leo had so suddenly vacated. He
gazed with indifference, if not displeasure, upon
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