that [thyn ancres] cleven faste, that neither wolen suffren the
counfort of this tyme present ne the hope of tyme cominge to
passen ne to faylen.'
'And I preye,' quod I, 'that faste moten they halden; for
whyles that they halden, how-so-ever that thinges ben, I shal wel
45
fleten forth and escapen; but thou mayst wel seen how grete
aparayles and aray that me lakketh, that ben passed away fro
me.'
'I have som-what avaunsed and forthered thee,' quod she, 'yif