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The Merry Wives of Windsor: Act 5 Scene 2

Scene II Windsor Park.

[Enter PAGE, SHALLOW, and SLENDER]

PAGE

Come, come; we'll couch i' the castle-ditch till we

see the light of our fairies. Remember, son Slender,

my daughter.

SLENDER

Ay, forsooth; I have spoke with her and we have a

nay-word how to know one another: I come to her in

white, and cry 'mum;' she cries 'budget;' and by

that we know one another.

SHALLOW

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]