Ne she was derke ne browne, but bright,
And clear as the Moone light,
Againe whom all the starres semen
But small candles, as we demen.
Chaucer's "Romaunt of the Rose" in the description of Beauty.
For all afore, that seemed fayre and bright,
Now base and contemptible did appeare,
Compar'd to her that shone as Phebes light
Among the lesser starres in evening clear.
"Faerie Queene," IV, v. 14.
([St. XXIII.]) So Chaucer says of Mirth in the "Romaunt of the Rose":
He seemed like a portreiture,
So noble was he of his stature.
([St. XXVIII.]) In the last verse of this stanza Lachmann thinks magetlîchen, not minnelîchen, was the original word; "We have," says he rather austerely, "love enough and to spare in St. XXX, Fifth Adventure;" and certainly, if he be justified in rejecting St. CCXCVIII, and consequently in putting St. CCXCIX next to St. CCXCVII, there is rather a superabundance of the tender passion with minnelîchen, in two successive lines, and minne in a third. On the other hand, it may be said that this very superabundance is produced by Lachmann's own rejection of St. CCXCVIII, and that to alter the text of the preceding stanza in consequence of that rejection, is something like what lawyers call taking advantage of one's own wrong. But however that may be, it cannot be denied, that magetlîchen is in St. CCXCVII far more appropriate than minnelîchen, and its suits my convenience as a translator infinitely better. I have therefore gladly adopted it.
In fame's eternal beadroll worthy to be fil'd.
"Faerie Queene."