William Shakespeare (1564–1616). The Oxford Shakespeare. 1914.
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Act V. Scene II.
Windsor Park.
Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, and SLENDER.
Page. Come, come; we’ll couch i’ the castleditch till we see the light of our fairies. Remember, son Slender, my daughter.
Slen. Ay, forsooth; I have spoke with her and we have a nayword how to know one another. I come to her in white, and cry, ‘mum;’ she cries, ‘budget;’ and by that we know one another.
Shal. That’s good too: but what needs either your ‘mum,’ or her ‘budget?’ the white will decipher her well enough. It hath struck ten o’clock.
Page. The night is dark; light and spirits will become it well. Heaven prosper our sport! No man means evil but the devil, and we shall know him by his horns. Let’s away; follow me. [Exeunt.
