Act 5, Scene 2

Original Text

*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—

Modern English

*Windsor Park. Page, Shallow, and Slender enter.* PAGE. Come on, come on. We'll hide in the castle ditch until we can see the torchlight from our fairies. Now remember, Slender — my daughter—

Original Text

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.

Modern English

SLENDER. Yes, of course. I've already spoken with her, and we have a code to recognize each other. I come to her dressed in white and say "mum"; she answers "budget"; and that's how we know each other.

Original Text

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.

Modern English

SHALLOW. Good thinking. But why do you even need "mum" or "budget"? The white costume will be enough to pick her out. It's just struck ten o'clock. PAGE. The night is dark — all the better for torchlight and spirits. God bless our little scheme! The only one here with evil intentions is the devil, and we'll know him by his horns. Let's go; follow me.

Original Text

*[Exeunt.]*

Modern English

*[They exit.]*

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Act 5, Scene 2

Act 5, Scene 2