[58] In our editions, Arno and not Fredegisus was the recipient of this treatise.
[59] Presumably the same as Withso and Witto.
[60] “Franci et Saxonis,” the author says. But in the disputatious dialogue they are called Saxo and Franco. Saxo addresses Franco as O Franco! but on one occasion he slips into the vocative France: “En habes, France, de adverbio satis.” Fr. “Non satis; pausemus tamen ad horam.” Saxo. “Pausemus.” The dialogue is much of the same kind as that found in Aldhelm’s works a hundred years earlier between Magister and Discipulus. See my St. Aldhelm, ch. xii.
[61] We have seen from the author that he could very seldom shed tears, [p. 27].
[62] There is a delicate touch in putting into the devil’s mouth the literal name and not the intimate name.
[63] Cant. iv. 4.
[64] A cynic might remark that Alcuin did not answer the clever question of the enemy. He could not deny that he was elaborately deceiving his attendants.
[65] Sulpicius Severus, Life, c. 25.
[66] Theodulf of Orleans makes a little apology to Karl for Alcuin’s use of wine and beer (not English beer! see [p. 267]):
Aut si, Bacche, tui aut Cerealis pocla liquoris