II. Exegetical Miscellany.^1126 (a) Questions and answers respecting the interpretation of
Genesis. (b) Edifying and brief exposition of the Penitential Psalms, Psalm CXVIII and the Psalm
of Degrees. (c) Short commentary on Canticles. (d) Commentary on Ecclesiastes. (e) A literal,
allegorical and moral Interpretation of the Hebrew names of our Lord’s ancestors (in which he
makes much out of the symbolism of the numbers). (f) Commentary on portions of John’s Gospel.
(g) On Titus, Philemon, Hebrews.^1127 These comments, are chiefly derived from the Fathers, and
develop the allegorical and moral sense of Scripture. That on John’s Gospel is the most important.
The plan of making a commentary out of extracts was quickly followed and was indeed the only
plan in general use in the Middle Age.
III. Dogmatic Miscellany.^1128 (a) The Trinity, written in 802, dedicated to Charlemagne, a
condensed statement of Augustin’s teaching on the subject. It was the model for the "Sentences"
of the twelfth century. It is followed by twenty-eight questions and answers on the Trinity. (b) The
Procession of the Holy Spirit, similarly dedicated and made up of patristic quotations. (c) Brief
treatise against the heresy of Felix (Adoptionism). (d) Another against it in seven books. (e) A
treatise against Elipandus in four books. (f) Letter against Adoptionism, addressed to some woman.
These writings on Adoptionism are very able and reveal learning and some independence.
IV. Liturgical and Ethical Works.^1129 (a) The Sacraments, a collection of mass-formulae,
from the use of Tours. (b) The use of the Psalms, a distribution of the Psalms under appropriate
headings so that they can be used as prayers, together with explanations and original prayers: a
useful piece of work. (c) Offices for festivals, the Psalms sang upon the feast days, with prayers,
hymns, confessions and litanies: a sort of lay-breviary, made for Charlemagne. (d) A letter to Oduin,
a presbyter, upon the ceremony of baptism. (e) Virtues and vices, dedicated to Count Wido, compiled
from Augustin. (f) The human soul, addressed in epistolary form to Eulalia (Gundrada), the sister
of Adalhard, abbot of Corbie, in France. (g) Confession of sins, addressed to his pupils at St. Martin’s
of Tours.
V. Hagiographical Works.^1130 (a) Life of St. Martin of Tours, rewritten from Sulpicius
Severus. (b) Life of St. Vedast, bishop of Atrebates (Arras), and (c) Life of the most blessed presbyter
Requier, both rewritten from old accounts. (d) Life of St. Willibrord, bishop of Utrecht, his own
ancestor, in two books, one prose, the other verse. This is an original work, and valuable as history.
VI. Poems.^1131 The poetical works of Alcuin are very numerous, and of very varied character,
including prayers, inscriptions for books, churches, altars, monasteries, etc., epigrams, moral
exhortations, epistles, epitaphs, enigmas, a fable,^1132 and a long historical poem in sixteen hundred
and fifty-seven lines upon the bishops and saints of the church of York from its foundation to the
accession of Eanbald.^1133 It is very valuable. In its earlier part it rests upon Bede, but from the ten
(^1126) Opuscula exegetica, Migne, C. 515-1086.
(^1127) That on Revelation in Migne is not his, but probably by a pupil of Alcuin. It is, however, a mere compilation from
Ambrosius Autpertus (d. 779.)
(^1128) Opuscula dogmatica, Migne, CI. col. 11-304.
(^1129) Opuscula liturgica et moralia, ibid. col. 445-656.
(^1130) Opuscula hagiographica, ibid. col. 657-724.
(^1131) Carmina, Ibid. col. 723-848.
(^1132) De gallo fabula, Ibid. col. 805. Dümmler, l.c. 262.
(^1133) Ibid. col. 814-846. Dümmler, l.c. 169-206.