The poetry might be supplied by Alcuin; but the tears, the most glorious tribute, can only belong to Charlemagne.] [Footnote 90: Every new pope is admonished--"Sancte Pater, non videbis annos Petri," twenty-five years.

On the whole series the average is about eight years--a short hope for an ambitious cardinal.] [Footnote 91: The assurance of Anastasius (tom.iii.pars i.p.

197, 198) is supported by the credulity of some French annalists; but Eginhard, and other writers of the same age, are more natural and sincere.

"Unus ei oculus paullulum est laesus," says John the deacon of Naples, (Vit.Episcop.Napol.in Scriptores Muratori, tom.i.pars ii.
p.

312.) Theodolphus, a contemporary bishop of Orleans, observes with prudence (l.iii.carm.