Alcuin commemorated his school and its master in a descriptive poem _On the Saints of the Church at York_, which is quoted in full by West.[149] In 780, Alcuin succeeded Ælbert as master of the school, and later, was placed in charge of the cathedral library, which was at the time one of the most important collections in Christendom. In one of his poems he gives a kind of metrical summary of the chief contents of this library. The lines are worth quoting because of the information presented as to the authors at that time to be looked for in a really great monastic library. The list includes a distinctive though very restricted group of Latin writers, but, as West points out, the works “by glorious Greece transferred to Rome” form but a meagre group. The catalogue omits Isidore, although previous references make clear that the writings of the great Spanish bishop were important works of reference in York as in all the British schools. It is West’s opinion that the _Aristotle_ and other Greek authors referred to were probably present only in Latin versions. These manuscripts in the York library were undoubtedly for the most part transcripts of the parchments collected for Wearmouth and Yarrow by Biscop. _The Library of York Cathedral._ There shalt thou find the volumes that contain All of the ancient Fathers who remain; There all the Latin writers make their home With those that glorious Greece transferred to Rome, The Hebrews draw from their celestial stream, And Africa is bright with learning’s beam. Here shines what Jerome, Ambrose, Hilary thought, Or Athanasius and Augustine wrought. Orosius, Leo, Gregory the Great, Near Basil and Fulgentius coruscate. Grave Cassiodorus and John Chrysostom Next Master Bede and learned Aldhelm come, While Victorinus and Boëthius stand With Pliny and Pompeius close at hand. Wise Aristotle looks on Tully near, Sedulius and Juvencus next appear. Then come Albinus, Clement, Prosper too, Paulinus and Arator. Next we view Lactantius, Fortunatus. Ranged in line Virgilius Maro, Statius, Lucan, shine. Donatus, Priscian, Phobus, Phocas, start The roll of masters in grammatic art. Entychius, Servius, Pompey, each extend The list. Comminian brings it to an end. There shalt thou find, O reader, many more Famed for their style, the masters of old lore, Whose many volumes singly to rehearse Were far too tedious for our present verse.[150]