The Merry Wives of Windsor — Act 5, Scene 2: Windsor Park.

Page, Shallow, and Slender arrive at Windsor Park and hide in the castle ditch to wait for the fairy trick that Page has arranged. Page reminds Slender to remember Anne Page, since Slender is meant to meet his daughter there. Slender explains that he and Anne have agreed on a private sign: he will come dressed in white and say one word, and she will answer with another so they will recognize each other. Shallow approves but thinks the white clothes will identify her anyway. Page notes that it is now about ten o’clock, says the dark night suits their sport, and leads the others away.

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

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

my daughter.

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.

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.

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.