Act IV, Scene 3

Silvia having resolved to follow Valentine to Mantua, begs the worthy gentleman, Sir Eglamour, to accompany her. They decide to meet the same evening at Friar Patrick's cell, where Silvia intends to make her "holy confession." They will depart from there for Mantua, in hopes of finding the banished Valentine.

Silvia shows a fine judgment in asking Sir Eglamour to accompany her to Mantua. The elderly knight is "valiant, wise, remorseful, well-accomplished." He understands her feelings, her passions, and her sufferings like no one else can. When she pleads with him to look upon her grief as "a lady's grief," she evokes memories of his own lady love, after whose death he had vowed pure chastity. There seems a natural understanding between them because Silvia's love for Valentine is as constant as Sir Eglamour's.

It is important to note that Silvia plans to go to confession before departing for Mantua. She knows that she is openly defying her father by fleeing from Milan in search of Valentine. She obviously wants to seek forgiveness for her act; but her love for Valentine is obviously stronger than her duty to her father.

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