SILVERSTREAM SOFTWARE INC
OPTION AGREEMENT
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.8
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>b43055ssex10-8.txt
<DESCRIPTION>OPTION AGREEMENT
<TEXT>
<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8


                           SILVERSTREAM SOFTWARE, INC.
               NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION CERTIFICATE GRANTED UNDER
               THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 1997 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
               --------------------------------------------------

     This Certificate evidences the grant by SilverStream Software, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), to the person named below (the
"Participant"), of an option to purchase, in whole or in part, shares of common
stock (the "Shares"), $.001 par value per share, of the Company ("Common Stock")
exercisable on the following terms and conditions and those set forth on the
reverse of this Certificate and in the Company's Amended and Restated 1997 Stock
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). It is intended that the option evidenced by this
Certificate shall not be an incentive stock option as defined in Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations promulgated
thereunder (the "Code"). Except as otherwise indicated by the context, the term
"Participant," as used in this option, shall be deemed to include any person who
acquires the right to exercise this option validly under its terms.

     Name of Participant:                        Steve Benfield
     Number of Shares:                                   10,000
     Exercise Price Per Share:                            $4.80
     Grant Date:                              February 28, 2002

     Unless earlier terminated, this option shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the Grant Date (the "Final Exercise Date").

Vesting Schedule.

     The option will become exercisable ("vest") as to 25% of the original
number of Shares on the date that is 180 days after the Grant Date (the "First
Vesting Date") and as to an additional 6.25% of the original number of Shares at
the end of each successive full three-month period following the First Vesting
Date until fully vested. This option shall expire upon, and will not be
exercisable after, the Final Exercise Date. The right of exercise shall be
cumulative so that to the extent the option is not exercised in any period to
the maximum extent permissible it shall continue to be exercisable, in whole or
in part, with respect to all shares for which it is vested until the earlier of
the Final Exercise Date or the termination of this option pursuant to its terms.

     The immediately preceding paragraph to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event of (a) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another
entity, (b) the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
or (c) the acquisition by another entity of at least fifty percent (50%) of the
Company's then-outstanding voting stock (each an "Acquisition Event"), then (x)
fifty percent (50%) of the then-unvested Shares granted hereunder shall
automatically vest and become immediately exercisable as of a date (the
"Accelerated Vesting Date") prior to the effective date of the Acquisition Event
as specified by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to such effective
date and (y) the balance of any then-unvested Shares granted hereunder (after
giving effect to subsection (x) of this paragraph) shall vest, pro rata, over a
period of time that is 50% of the vesting period then remaining before giving
effect to the Acquisition Event. At least 10 business days prior to the
effective date of the Acquisition Event (but in any event not later than the
Accelerated Vesting Date), the Company shall give the Participant notice of such
Acquisition Event and advise the Participant of his or her right to exercise the
Shares accelerated by the occurrence of such Acquisition Event.

     By acceptance of this option, the Participant agrees to the terms and
conditions hereof and acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Amended and Restated
1997 Stock Incentive Plan.

                                       SILVERSTREAM SOFTWARE, INC.

Date: February 28, 2002                By:
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Name:  Charles C. Cabot III
                                          Title: Vice President, Human Resources


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
