Commune est a tous
Charité
Si com est exemplefié
De la chandoile alumee
Laquelle,
quand ell est portee
Devant .i. pour esclairer li
N’est pas doubte que
ceux aussi
Qui li tiennent societé
N’aient partie en la clarté
Et
mains n’en a mis cellui
Pour qui fu alumee ainsi (3439-3448)
I try to translate : Charity is for all, as it is shown by the light of the candle : when you bear it in front of someone, of course everyone of the company has his part of the light, though the one for who the candle was lit has not less light. (forgive the roughness of this english)
These word to explain the communion of saints; my question is : is the comparison with the candle an homiletic topos ? Where can be its source ?
Sincerely,
Denis