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Alcuin. "Song IV "Go quickly, little letter"." Global Medieval Sourcebook.Transcription based on Ernst Duemmler ed., Poetae Latini Aevi Carolini, Vol. I, MGH (Berlin: Weidmann, 1881), pp. 220-3 .
Carmen IV "Cartula, perge cito" | Song IV "Go quickly, little letter"
Source Information
Carmen IV "Cartula, perge cito" | Song IV "Go quickly, little letter"
by Alcuin
Text Source:
Paris BNF MS Latin 528 f.140v
Published in Ernst Duemmler ed., Poetae Latini Aevi Carolini, Vol. I, MGH (Berlin: Weidmann, 1881), pp. 220-3
Responsibility Statement:
- Transcription based on Ernst Duemmler ed., Poetae Latini Aevi Carolini, Vol. I, MGH (Berlin: Weidmann, 1881), pp. 220-3
- Translation by Samuel Cardwell
- Encoded in TEI P5 XML by Danny Smith
Editorial Principles:
Transcriptions and translations are encoded in XML conforming to TEI (P5) guidelines. The original-language text is contained within <lem> tags and translations within <rdg> tags.
Texts are translated into modern American English with maximum fidelity to the original text, except where it would impair comprehension or good style. Archaisms are preserved where they do not conflict with the aesthetic of the original text. Scribal errors and creative translation choices are marked and discussed in the critical notes.
While the poem is not translated into verse, linebreaks are preserved from the original. Stanza breaks have been added corresponding to the poem’s “frames”, as described by Sinisi.
Publication Details:
Published by The Global Medieval Sourcebook.
The Global Medieval Sourcebook is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Cartula, perge cito pelagi trans aequora cursu, Go quickly, little letter, across the even surface of the sea.
Ostia piscosi flabris pete fortia Rheni, Seek out on the breeze the strong harbors of the fish-laden Rhine,
Ingrediens rapidis pontum qua volvitur undis. Which enters the sea where it is turned about with rushing waves.
Tum tua prelongo ducatur prora remulco, Then your prow may be led by a very long tow-rope,
5
Ne cito retrorsum rapiatur flumine puppis. Lest the vessel be seized back by the river. Si meus Albricus veniens occurrat in amne If my Albricus
c
should come and meet you on the river, Critical note:
Bishop of Utrecht (Traiectum), d.784.
'Vaccipotens praesul', properans tu dicito, 'salve', Hastily say, “O Cow-Lord Bishop, greetings,”
Nam tibi Hadda prior nocte non amplius una Because Prior Hadda will serve you honey and porridge and butter
c
Critical note:
Alcuin uses a Germanicism butur (as opposed to butyrum).
In Traiect mel compultimque buturque ministrat: In Utrecht, no more than a night’s walk from where you landed
10
Utpute non oleum nec vinum Fresia fundit. (Since Frisia pours out neither oil nor wine). Hinc tua vela leva, fugiens Dorstada relinque: Raise your sails here; flee and leave Dorestad
c
behind. Critical note:
A trading emporium in Frisia, a few miles downstream from Utrecht, now known as Wijk bij Duurstede.
Non tibi forte niger Hrotberct parat hospita tecta, I suspect black Hrotberht will not prepare friendly lodging for you;
Non amat ecce tuum carmen mercator avarus. See, the greedy merchant does not love your song.
Sed diverte mei vatis tu litora Ione: But pay a visit to the shores of my prophet Jonas.
c
Critical note:
Otherwise unknown, although he must have been a reasonably significant individual, given that he is mentioned again alongside several very notable figures in line 42.
15
Est nam certa quies fessis venientibus illuc, For there is surely rest for weary travellers in that place; Hic holus hospitibus, piscis hic, panis abundat. Here vegetables, here fish and bread abound for guests.
Urbis Agripina tibi pandit, scio, tecta benigne: I know the city of Cologne will kindly spread out lodgings for you:
Hic humili patrem Ricvulfum voce saluta; Here greet father Ricwulf
c
with humble voice; Critical note:
Bishop of Cologne, 772–794.
Dic: 'Tua laus mecum semper, dilecte, manebit'. Say, “Your praise will remain with me always, beloved.”
20
Hinc castella petes currenti nave per undas, Here you will seek out the fortified towns with a ship running through the waves, Donec ad optatae pertingas flustra Musellae. Until you reach the calm waters of the pleasant Moselle.
Remigio postquam spatium sulcaveris amnem, After you have plowed this wide river with your oar,
Hic tum siste ratem, puppis potiatur harena, Make your raft to stand here – let your ship occupy the sand –
Et pete Wilbrordi patris loca sancta pedester And seek the holy places of father Willibrord
c
on foot. Critical note:
Northumbrian missionary to the Frisians (c.658–739). Alcuin wrote a Life of Willibrord in both prose and verse.
25
Atque sacerdotis Samuhelis tecta require Find the dwellings of the priest Samuel. c
Critical note:
Beornrad, Abbot of Echternach (where Willibrord was buried) 776–798, from 785/6 also archbishop of Sens, at whose request Alcuin wrote the Life of Willibrord.
Castalido portas plectro pulsare memento, Remember to knock on the doors with Castalian lyre,
Constanter puero Pithea dic voce ministro: Constantly saying with Pythean voice to the servant boy:
'Puplius Albinus me misit ab orbe Brittanno “Puplius Albinus
c
sent me from the British world Critical note:
In his later letters, Alcuin used the pseudonym Flaccus (“Flabby”) Albinus. “Puplius” here perhaps is meant to evoke Publius, the praenomen of the poets Virgil, Ovid and Statius. If the substitution of “pup” for “pub” is not due to scribal error, it is perhaps meant to suggest pupus/pupulus/pupillus – Alcuin is merely a “pupil” of the master poets.
Predulci dulcem patri perferre salutem'. To bring sweet greetings to a most kind father”.
30
Si tibi praesentis fuerit data copia verbi, If an abundance of words is granted to you in person, Fusa solo supplex plantas tu lambe sacratas, Pour it out and go down on your knees to kiss his holy heels,
Dicque 'Valeto, pater Samuhel', dic 'Vive sacerdos'. And say, “Farewell, father Samuel”, say, “Live well, priest!”
Detege iam gremium, patres et profer honestos Unlock your bounty and bring forth the honorable fathers
Priscianum, Focam, tali quia munere gaudet, Priscian and Foca,
c
for he delights in such a gift – Critical note:
Two fifth-century Latin grammarians.
35
Si non Neptunus pelago demerserit illos. If Neptune hasn’t plunged them into the sea! Se te forte velit regis deducere ad aulam, If he wants to take you to the king’s court,
Hic proceres patres fratres percurre, saluta. Quickly review the nobles, fathers, and brothers there, and greet them.
Ante pedes regis totas expande camenas, Spread out all your poetry at the feet of the king
Dicito multoties: 'Salve, rex optime, salve. And say again and again, “Greetings, best of kings, greetings!
40
Tu mihi protector, tutor, defensor adesto, Be to me a protector, guardian, and defender, Invida ne valeat me carpere lingua nocendo Lest jealous tongues seize me to do me harm –
Paulini, Petri, Albrici, Samuelis, Ione, Those of Paulinus, Peter,
c
Albricus, Samuel and Jonah Critical note:
Paulinus of Aquileia, Peter of Pisa, two leading figures in the Carolingian Renaissance
Vel quicumque velit mea rodere viscere mursu: Or of anyone who wishes to gnaw my flesh with biting.
Te terrente procul fugiat, discedat inanis'. Let him flee away from you in terror; let the fool depart.”
45
Mormure dic tacito: 'Cathegita Petre valeto! Say quietly in a murmur, “Farewell, Peter my maestro! c
Critical note:
Cathegita, a rare word even in Greek (but cf. Matthew 23:10), occurs three times in Alcuin’s carmina
Herculeo sevus clavo
c
ferit ille, caveto'! Beware! That savage strikes with a Herculean club.” Critical note:
Ms. claro, following emendation of Schaller (1970)
Paulini gaudens conplectere colla magistri, Rejoicing, throw your arms around the neck of master Paulinus;
Oscula melligeris decies da blanda labellis. Give him ten charming kisses on his honey-bearing lips.
Ricvulfum, Raefgot, Radonem rite saluta, Greet Ricwulf, Raefgot and Rado in the right way;
50
Auriculas horum peditemtim tange canendo, Touch their ears little-by-little with your singing. Dic: 'Socii fratres laiti salvete valete'. Say, “My happy companions, brothers, hail and well-met!”
Egregiam forsan venies Maggensis ad urbem Perchance you will come to the excellent and unchanging city of Mainz;
Perpetuumque vale doctori dicito Lullo, Say hello to the doctor Lull,
c
Critical note:
Lull or Lullus (d.786) was an English missionary and successor to St Boniface as Bishop of Mainz. Mainz was elevated to an Archbishopric in 781 – it is not clear whether Alcuin was writing before or after this event.
Ecclesiae specimen, sophiae qui splendor habetur, A model for the church, who is considered the splendour of wisdom,
55
Moribus et vita tanto condignus honore. Worthy of such honour for his customs and life. O Bassine bone, Spirensis gloria plebis, O good Bassinus,
c
glory of the people of Speyer: Critical note:
Bishop of Speyer until 782.
Me, rogo, commenda Paulo, pater alme, patrono, I ask you, nourishing father, to commend me to your patron Paul,
c
Critical note:
Paul the Deacon, the highly influential Lombard scholar.
Cuius et alma domus fratres nos fecerat ambos. Whose nourishing house had made us both brothers.
Quis, Fulerade pius, lyrico te tangere plectro Who will dare to touch you, pious Fulerad,
c
with a plucked lyric? Critical note:
Abbot of Saint-Denis, near Paris (d.784). This is an odd departure from the main route of the letter’s journey. Given that the poem survives in a Saint-Denis manuscript, I wonder if these lines represent an off-the-cuff addition to the poem, unless Alcuin expected Bassinus to pass the cartula on to Fulerad (perhaps making the poem a kind of Rhineland travelogue addressed to Fulerad).
60
Audebit? meritis Musarum carmina vincis. You surpass the songs of the muses with your merits. Nunc tamen hanc ederam circum sine timpora sacra But now let this ivy creep around your holy temples,
c
Critical note:
Cf. Virgil, Eclogues, 8.11-13.
Serpere, summe pater, tibimet bonitate sueta, High father, through your kind goodness,
Vel demitte semel memet tibi dicere salve. Or let me just once say ‘greetings’ to you.
Heia age, carta, cito navem conscende paratam; Right then, letter, get on board the ship – it’s ready to go:
65
Oceanum Rhenum sub te natet unca carina. The curved keel will sail the Rhenish seas beneath you. Materies auri non te, rogo, fulva retardet, I pray that no yellow matter of gold may slow you down,
Accula quem fessus profert de viscere terrae. Which the weary countryman brings up from the bowels of the earth.
Non castella, domus, urbes, nec florida rura Let not strongholds, houses, cities, or flower-filled fields
Deteneant stupidam spatio nec unius horae, Hold you back, dumbstruck, for the space of even one hour,
70
Sed fuge, rumpe moras, propera, percurre volando: But fly! Put an end to delay! Make haste and take flight! Incolomes sanos gaudentes atque vigentes I hope you joyfully find our friends
Invenies utinam nostros gratanter amicos. Unharmed, in good health, enjoying life and on good form.
Det deus omnipotens illis per secla salutem, May almighty God give them health in the present world
Postea caelestem laetos deducat in aulam. And afterwards lead them happy into his heavenly court.
75
Omnibus his actis patriam tu certa reverte, After doing all these things, be sure you return to your homeland, Et quod quisque tibi dicat narrare memento, And do remember to tell me anything anyone said to you.
Ut cum vere novo rubrae de cortice gemmae So that, when the red fruits are bursting forth from new bark
Erumpant, nostris videam te ludere tectis, In the spring, I will see you playing under our roof,
Atque novas iterum nobis adferre camenas. And bringing us back new songs.
80
Tum tibi serta novis de floribus aurea fingam Then will I fashion a golden wreath of new flowers for you, Et sociata mihi pratis pausabis amoenis. And, reunited with me, you will rest in pleasant meadows.
Cartula, perge cito pelagi trans aequora cursu, Go quickly, little letter, across the even surface of the sea.
Ostia piscosi flabris pete fortia Rheni, Seek out on the breeze the strong harbors of the fish-laden Rhine,
Ingrediens rapidis pontum qua volvitur undis. Which enters the sea where it is turned about with rushing waves.
Tum tua prelongo ducatur prora remulco, Then your prow may be led by a very long tow-rope,
5
Ne cito retrorsum rapiatur flumine puppis. Lest the vessel be seized back by the river. Si meus Albricus veniens occurrat in amne If my Albricus
c
should come and meet you on the river, Critical note:
Bishop of Utrecht (Traiectum), d.784.
'Vaccipotens praesul', properans tu dicito, 'salve', Hastily say, “O Cow-Lord Bishop, greetings,”
Nam tibi Hadda prior nocte non amplius una Because Prior Hadda will serve you honey and porridge and butter
c
Critical note:
Alcuin uses a Germanicism butur (as opposed to butyrum).
In Traiect mel compultimque buturque ministrat: In Utrecht, no more than a night’s walk from where you landed
10
Utpute non oleum nec vinum Fresia fundit. (Since Frisia pours out neither oil nor wine). Hinc tua vela leva, fugiens Dorstada relinque: Raise your sails here; flee and leave Dorestad
c
behind. Critical note:
A trading emporium in Frisia, a few miles downstream from Utrecht, now known as Wijk bij Duurstede.
Non tibi forte niger Hrotberct parat hospita tecta, I suspect black Hrotberht will not prepare friendly lodging for you;
Non amat ecce tuum carmen mercator avarus. See, the greedy merchant does not love your song.
Sed diverte mei vatis tu litora Ione: But pay a visit to the shores of my prophet Jonas.
c
Critical note:
Otherwise unknown, although he must have been a reasonably significant individual, given that he is mentioned again alongside several very notable figures in line 42.
15
Est nam certa quies fessis venientibus illuc, For there is surely rest for weary travellers in that place; Hic holus hospitibus, piscis hic, panis abundat. Here vegetables, here fish and bread abound for guests.
Urbis Agripina tibi pandit, scio, tecta benigne: I know the city of Cologne will kindly spread out lodgings for you:
Hic humili patrem Ricvulfum voce saluta; Here greet father Ricwulf
c
with humble voice; Critical note:
Bishop of Cologne, 772–794.
Dic: 'Tua laus mecum semper, dilecte, manebit'. Say, “Your praise will remain with me always, beloved.”
20
Hinc castella petes currenti nave per undas, Here you will seek out the fortified towns with a ship running through the waves, Donec ad optatae pertingas flustra Musellae. Until you reach the calm waters of the pleasant Moselle.
Remigio postquam spatium sulcaveris amnem, After you have plowed this wide river with your oar,
Hic tum siste ratem, puppis potiatur harena, Make your raft to stand here – let your ship occupy the sand –
Et pete Wilbrordi patris loca sancta pedester And seek the holy places of father Willibrord
c
on foot. Critical note:
Northumbrian missionary to the Frisians (c.658–739). Alcuin wrote a Life of Willibrord in both prose and verse.
25
Atque sacerdotis Samuhelis tecta require Find the dwellings of the priest Samuel. c
Critical note:
Beornrad, Abbot of Echternach (where Willibrord was buried) 776–798, from 785/6 also archbishop of Sens, at whose request Alcuin wrote the Life of Willibrord.
Castalido portas plectro pulsare memento, Remember to knock on the doors with Castalian lyre,
Constanter puero Pithea dic voce ministro: Constantly saying with Pythean voice to the servant boy:
'Puplius Albinus me misit ab orbe Brittanno “Puplius Albinus
c
sent me from the British world Critical note:
In his later letters, Alcuin used the pseudonym Flaccus (“Flabby”) Albinus. “Puplius” here perhaps is meant to evoke Publius, the praenomen of the poets Virgil, Ovid and Statius. If the substitution of “pup” for “pub” is not due to scribal error, it is perhaps meant to suggest pupus/pupulus/pupillus – Alcuin is merely a “pupil” of the master poets.
Predulci dulcem patri perferre salutem'. To bring sweet greetings to a most kind father”.
30
Si tibi praesentis fuerit data copia verbi, If an abundance of words is granted to you in person, Fusa solo supplex plantas tu lambe sacratas, Pour it out and go down on your knees to kiss his holy heels,
Dicque 'Valeto, pater Samuhel', dic 'Vive sacerdos'. And say, “Farewell, father Samuel”, say, “Live well, priest!”
Detege iam gremium, patres et profer honestos Unlock your bounty and bring forth the honorable fathers
Priscianum, Focam, tali quia munere gaudet, Priscian and Foca,
c
for he delights in such a gift – Critical note:
Two fifth-century Latin grammarians.
35
Si non Neptunus pelago demerserit illos. If Neptune hasn’t plunged them into the sea! Se te forte velit regis deducere ad aulam, If he wants to take you to the king’s court,
Hic proceres patres fratres percurre, saluta. Quickly review the nobles, fathers, and brothers there, and greet them.
Ante pedes regis totas expande camenas, Spread out all your poetry at the feet of the king
Dicito multoties: 'Salve, rex optime, salve. And say again and again, “Greetings, best of kings, greetings!
40
Tu mihi protector, tutor, defensor adesto, Be to me a protector, guardian, and defender, Invida ne valeat me carpere lingua nocendo Lest jealous tongues seize me to do me harm –
Paulini, Petri, Albrici, Samuelis, Ione, Those of Paulinus, Peter,
c
Albricus, Samuel and Jonah Critical note:
Paulinus of Aquileia, Peter of Pisa, two leading figures in the Carolingian Renaissance
Vel quicumque velit mea rodere viscere mursu: Or of anyone who wishes to gnaw my flesh with biting.
Te terrente procul fugiat, discedat inanis'. Let him flee away from you in terror; let the fool depart.”
45
Mormure dic tacito: 'Cathegita Petre valeto! Say quietly in a murmur, “Farewell, Peter my maestro! c
Critical note:
Cathegita, a rare word even in Greek (but cf. Matthew 23:10), occurs three times in Alcuin’s carmina
Herculeo sevus clavo
c
ferit ille, caveto'! Beware! That savage strikes with a Herculean club.” Critical note:
Ms. claro, following emendation of Schaller (1970)
Paulini gaudens conplectere colla magistri, Rejoicing, throw your arms around the neck of master Paulinus;
Oscula melligeris decies da blanda labellis. Give him ten charming kisses on his honey-bearing lips.
Ricvulfum, Raefgot, Radonem rite saluta, Greet Ricwulf, Raefgot and Rado in the right way;
50
Auriculas horum peditemtim tange canendo, Touch their ears little-by-little with your singing. Dic: 'Socii fratres laiti salvete valete'. Say, “My happy companions, brothers, hail and well-met!”
Egregiam forsan venies Maggensis ad urbem Perchance you will come to the excellent and unchanging city of Mainz;
Perpetuumque vale doctori dicito Lullo, Say hello to the doctor Lull,
c
Critical note:
Lull or Lullus (d.786) was an English missionary and successor to St Boniface as Bishop of Mainz. Mainz was elevated to an Archbishopric in 781 – it is not clear whether Alcuin was writing before or after this event.
Ecclesiae specimen, sophiae qui splendor habetur, A model for the church, who is considered the splendour of wisdom,
55
Moribus et vita tanto condignus honore. Worthy of such honour for his customs and life. O Bassine bone, Spirensis gloria plebis, O good Bassinus,
c
glory of the people of Speyer: Critical note:
Bishop of Speyer until 782.
Me, rogo, commenda Paulo, pater alme, patrono, I ask you, nourishing father, to commend me to your patron Paul,
c
Critical note:
Paul the Deacon, the highly influential Lombard scholar.
Cuius et alma domus fratres nos fecerat ambos. Whose nourishing house had made us both brothers.
Quis, Fulerade pius, lyrico te tangere plectro Who will dare to touch you, pious Fulerad,
c
with a plucked lyric? Critical note:
Abbot of Saint-Denis, near Paris (d.784). This is an odd departure from the main route of the letter’s journey. Given that the poem survives in a Saint-Denis manuscript, I wonder if these lines represent an off-the-cuff addition to the poem, unless Alcuin expected Bassinus to pass the cartula on to Fulerad (perhaps making the poem a kind of Rhineland travelogue addressed to Fulerad).
60
Audebit? meritis Musarum carmina vincis. You surpass the songs of the muses with your merits. Nunc tamen hanc ederam circum sine timpora sacra But now let this ivy creep around your holy temples,
c
Critical note:
Cf. Virgil, Eclogues, 8.11-13.
Serpere, summe pater, tibimet bonitate sueta, High father, through your kind goodness,
Vel demitte semel memet tibi dicere salve. Or let me just once say ‘greetings’ to you.
Heia age, carta, cito navem conscende paratam; Right then, letter, get on board the ship – it’s ready to go:
65
Oceanum Rhenum sub te natet unca carina. The curved keel will sail the Rhenish seas beneath you. Materies auri non te, rogo, fulva retardet, I pray that no yellow matter of gold may slow you down,
Accula quem fessus profert de viscere terrae. Which the weary countryman brings up from the bowels of the earth.
Non castella, domus, urbes, nec florida rura Let not strongholds, houses, cities, or flower-filled fields
Deteneant stupidam spatio nec unius horae, Hold you back, dumbstruck, for the space of even one hour,
70
Sed fuge, rumpe moras, propera, percurre volando: But fly! Put an end to delay! Make haste and take flight! Incolomes sanos gaudentes atque vigentes I hope you joyfully find our friends
Invenies utinam nostros gratanter amicos. Unharmed, in good health, enjoying life and on good form.
Det deus omnipotens illis per secla salutem, May almighty God give them health in the present world
Postea caelestem laetos deducat in aulam. And afterwards lead them happy into his heavenly court.
75
Omnibus his actis patriam tu certa reverte, After doing all these things, be sure you return to your homeland, Et quod quisque tibi dicat narrare memento, And do remember to tell me anything anyone said to you.
Ut cum vere novo rubrae de cortice gemmae So that, when the red fruits are bursting forth from new bark
Erumpant, nostris videam te ludere tectis, In the spring, I will see you playing under our roof,
Atque novas iterum nobis adferre camenas. And bringing us back new songs.
80
Tum tibi serta novis de floribus aurea fingam Then will I fashion a golden wreath of new flowers for you, Et sociata mihi pratis pausabis amoenis. And, reunited with me, you will rest in pleasant meadows.
Critical Notes
Translation
Line number 6
Critical note: Bishop of Utrecht (Traiectum), d.784.
Translation
Line number 8
Critical note: Alcuin uses a Germanicism butur (as opposed to butyrum).
Translation
Line number 11
Critical note: A trading emporium in Frisia, a few miles downstream from Utrecht, now known as Wijk bij Duurstede.
Translation
Line number 14
Critical note: Otherwise unknown, although he must have been a reasonably significant individual, given that he is mentioned again alongside several very notable figures in line 42.
Translation
Line number 18
Critical note: Bishop of Cologne, 772–794.
Translation
Line number 24
Critical note: Northumbrian missionary to the Frisians (c.658–739). Alcuin wrote a Life of Willibrord in both prose and verse.
Translation
Line number 25
Critical note: Beornrad, Abbot of Echternach (where Willibrord was buried) 776–798, from 785/6 also archbishop of Sens, at whose request Alcuin wrote the Life of Willibrord.
Translation
Line number 28
Critical note: In his later letters, Alcuin used the pseudonym Flaccus (“Flabby”) Albinus. “Puplius” here perhaps is meant to evoke Publius, the praenomen of the poets Virgil, Ovid and Statius. If the substitution of “pup” for “pub” is not due to scribal error, it is perhaps meant to suggest pupus/pupulus/pupillus – Alcuin is merely a “pupil” of the master poets.
Translation
Line number 34
Critical note: Two fifth-century Latin grammarians.
Translation
Line number 42
Critical note: Paulinus of Aquileia, Peter of Pisa, two leading figures in the Carolingian Renaissance
Translation
Line number 45
Critical note: Cathegita, a rare word even in Greek (but cf. Matthew 23:10), occurs three times in Alcuin’s carmina
Transcription
Line number 46
Critical note: Ms. claro, following emendation of Schaller (1970)
Translation
Line number 53
Critical note: Lull or Lullus (d.786) was an English missionary and successor to St Boniface as Bishop of Mainz. Mainz was elevated to an Archbishopric in 781 – it is not clear whether Alcuin was writing before or after this event.
Translation
Line number 56
Critical note: Bishop of Speyer until 782.
Translation
Line number 57
Critical note: Paul the Deacon, the highly influential Lombard scholar.
Translation
Line number 59
Critical note: Abbot of Saint-Denis, near Paris (d.784). This is an odd departure from the main route of the letter’s journey. Given that the poem survives in a Saint-Denis manuscript, I wonder if these lines represent an off-the-cuff addition to the poem, unless Alcuin expected Bassinus to pass the cartula on to Fulerad (perhaps making the poem a kind of Rhineland travelogue addressed to Fulerad).
Translation
Line number 61
Critical note: Cf. Virgil, Eclogues, 8.11-13.
Sorry, but there are no notes associated with any currently displayed witness.