Madam, I pity much your grievances; Which since I know they virtuously are placed, I give consent to go along with you, Recking as little what betideth me As much I wish all good befortune you. When will you go?
Madam, I feel great sympathy for your troubles; And since I know they come from a virtuous place, I agree to go with you, Caring little about what happens to me, But wishing you all the best. When shall we leave?
Sir Eglamour · Act 4, Scene 3
Silvia has asked Eglamour to help her escape to Mantua to find Valentine, and he agrees, asking only when they should leave. This line matters because it shows a man choosing conscience over safety, willing to risk the Duke's anger for the sake of a woman's freedom and happiness. It tells us that in this play, true nobility means protecting the innocent, even at personal cost.
O Eglamour, thou art a gentleman-- Think not I flatter, for I swear I do not-- Valiant, wise, remorseful, well accomplish’d: Thou art not ignorant what dear good will I bear unto the banish’d Valentine, Nor how my father would enforce me marry Vain Thurio, whom my very soul abhors. Thyself hast loved; and I have heard thee say No grief did ever come so near thy heart As when thy lady and thy true love died, Upon whose grave thou vow’dst pure chastity. Sir Eglamour, I would to Valentine, To Mantua, where I hear he makes abode; And, for the ways are dangerous to pass, I do desire thy worthy company, Upon whose faith and honour I repose. Urge not my father’s anger, Eglamour, But think upon my grief, a lady’s grief, And on the justice of my flying hence, To keep me from a most unholy match, Which heaven and fortune still rewards with plagues. I do desire thee, even from a heart As full of sorrows as the sea of sands, To bear me company and go with me: If not, to hide what I have said to thee, That I may venture to depart alone.
Oh, Eglamour, you are a true gentleman-- Don’t think I’m flattering you, because I’m not-- Brave, wise, kind-hearted, well-educated: You know how much I care for the exiled Valentine, And how my father wants me to marry The useless Thurio, whom I can’t stand. You’ve loved too; and I’ve heard you say That no pain has ever hurt you as much As when your lady and true love died, And on her grave you swore chastity. Sir Eglamour, I wish to go to Valentine, To Mantua, where I know he’s staying; And since the journey is dangerous, I want you to come with me, Because I trust your faith and honor. Don’t worry about my father’s anger, Eglamour, Just think of my pain, the pain of a lady, And the justice of my running away, To avoid a terrible marriage, Which heaven and fortune always punish. I beg you, with a heart As full of sorrow as the sea is of sand, To come with me: If not, please keep secret what I’ve said, So I can leave on my own.
Silvia · Act 4, Scene 3
Silvia is asking Eglamour to help her escape from her father's plan to marry her to Thurio, and she appeals to his understanding of love and loss. The speech matters because Silvia refuses to be passive—she claims her own right to choose, to flee, to seek her true love. It tells us the play sees Silvia as the moral center, the one who will not compromise on justice or truth.
