gentle Silvius” (86). Silvius hopes that this pity might lead to love, but Phoebe explains to him that she can only love him as a neighbor, as a Christian. However, since Silvius is a fellow sufferer of unrequited love, Phoebe now accepts his companionship. She no longer wishes to run away from him. Silvius is satisfied that he at least has acceptance and an emotional response from Phoebe. He is happy to be with her even if he does not yet have her love.
Phoebe then questions Silvius about Rosalind/Ganymede. Even though “Ganymede” criticized her, Phoebe is pleased by “his” voice and manner of speaking. She then catalogs his other features: his height, his legs, his lips, and so on. She thinks that Ganymede is perfect, but she does not wish to admit her feelings directly before Silvius: “I love him not, nor hate him not” (128). Phoebe is in love with Ganymede, but she is also surprised at her sudden change in emotions.
Phoebe then acutely recalls that Ganymede chided her and scorned her. His words to her were bitter. She wonders why she did not immediately respond to his hateful words:
I marvel why I answered not again.
But that’s all one. Omittance is no quittance.
(133-34)
Of course Phoebe failed to respond at the moment Ganymede spoke to her because she was too overcome with emotions. She was not able to think