present as now in thee; for er it were present, it might have be

that it shulde now nat have be; and yet it may be that it shal nat

be present; but thy love present whiche to her, Margarite, thee

hath bounde, nedeful is to be present. Trewly, som doing of

145

accion, nat by necessitè, is comminge fer toforn it be; it may be

that it shal nat be comminge. Thing forsoth comming nedeful is

to be comming; for it may nat be that comming shal nat be

comming. And right as I have sayd of present and of future

tymes, the same sentence in sothnesse is of the preterit, that is