ome saying he could not forgo
their society.[20]

Then, with luck, Bodo, quaking at the knees, might even behold a portent
new to his experience, the emperor's elephant. Haroun El Raschid, the
great Sultan of the 'Arabian Nights' had sent it to Charles, and it
accompanied him on all his progresses. Its name was 'Abu-Lubabah', which
is an Arabic word and means 'the father of intelligence[A]', and it died
a hero's death on an expedition against the Danes in 810.[21] It is
certain that ever afterwards Ermentrude quelled little Gerbert, when he
was naughty, with the threat, 'Abu-Lubabah will come with his long nose
and carry you off.' But Wido, being aged eight and a bread-winner,
professed to have felt no fear on being confronted with the elephant;
but admitted when pressed, that he greatly preferred Haroun El Raschid's
other present to the emperor, the friendly dog, who answered to the name
of 'Becerillo'.

[Footnote A: _Abu-Lubabah_.--It is remarkable that the name should have
suffered no corruption in the chronicles.]

It would be a busy time for Bodo when all these great folk came, for
everything would have to be cleaned before their arrival, the pastry
cooks and sausage-makers summoned and a great feast prepared; and though
the household serfs did most of the work, it is probable that he had to
help. The gossipy old monk of St Gall has given us some amusing pictures
of the excitement when Charles suddenly paid a visit to his subjects:

There was a certain bishopric which lay full in Charles's
path when he journeyed, and which indeed he could hardly
avoid: and the bishop of this place, always anxious to give
satisfaction, put everything that he had at Charles's
disposal. But once the Emperor came quite unexpectedly and
the bishop in great anxiety had to fly hither and thither
like a swallow, and had not only the palaces and houses but
also the courts and squares swept and cleaned: and then,
tired and irritated, came to meet him. The most pious Charles
noticed this, and after examining all the various details, he
said to the bishop: 'My kind host, you always have everything
splendidly cleaned for my arrival.' Then the bishop, as if
divinely inspired, bowed his head and grasped the king's
never-conquered right hand, and hiding his irritation, kissed
it and said: 'It is but right, my lord, that, wherever you
come, all things should b