What was Big Willy Shakes going for?
Let's break this one down. The outlaw asks Valentine if he's willing to be their general and hang out with them, even though they are outlaws (criminals). This motley crew is certainly not high on Valentine's guest list next time he throws a party, but he's willing to swallow his pride (or morals) and deal. If we cut to the chase, we find that the outlaws are asking if Valentine will make the best of a tricky situation. Sure, it might not be what he wants to do, but will he do it anyway?
As it turns out, he will. He'll suck it up and get over the fact that he's hanging out with criminals, because it's kind of a necessity. He's got nowhere else to go, and no plan B. So he embraces his new group of pals and becomes one of them—after he makes them promise not to harm women and kids, of course. He's got to draw the line somewhere.
This one actually belongs to Chaucer. He used it in The Canterbury Tales, in the Knight's Tale to be exact.