"To die, is to be banish'd from myself; And Silvia is myself: banish'd from her, Is self from self: a deadly banishment! What light is light, if Silvia be not seen? What joy is joy, if Silvia be not by? Unless it be to think that she is by, And feed upon the shadow of perfection. Except I be by Silvia in the night, There is no music in the nightingale; Unless I look on Silvia in the day, There is no day for me to look upon; She is my essence, and I leave to be, If I be not by her fair influence Foster'd, illumin'd, cherish'd, kept alive."

3 likes

Source: 'The Two Gentlemen Of Verona' (1592-3) act 3, sc. 1, l. 178

About the author

William Shakespeare

Playwright, Poet

William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet, renowned for his profound exploration of human emotions in works like 'Hamlet' and 'Othello.'

All quotes by William Shakespeare →

Same author

More quotes by William Shakespeare

See all →
William Shakespeare Playwright, Poet

"When I got enough confidence, the stage was gone. When I was sure of losing, I won. When I needed people the most, they left me. When I learnt to dry my tears, I found a shoulder to cry on. And when I mastered the art of hating, somebody started loving me."

Read quote