Ian Doescher - William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back

O pain, O bitter weariness. I did
Not know the power of the Force till now—
Till it, to purpose rank, was turn’d on me!
Now for my very life I grasp and hold
Unto the precipice whereon I cling.
Be with me now, O Ben, restore my strength.
I see that Vader hath ta’en flight, yet it
Is plain he doth but wait for his next chance.
Some hope remains, e’en now, amidst my fear—
He may yet be defeated, all’s not lost.
I have regain’d my footing, and may rest
Until the fight must be resum’d. Now quick:
Look deep within your heart, Luke, and recall
The teachings of your gentle master Yoda.
Breathe deeply and call on the Force, that it
May show to thee the path that thou must take.
O, give me strength to win this battle now
Or, if not win, maintain my sense of right.
But lo, Darth Vader cometh once again!

This is the end for thee, Skywalker. See,
Thou art defeated now; resistance would
Be futile. Let yourself not be destroy’d
As Obi-Wan did, weak old man he was.

O horror! O vast pain exceeding words!

Thou shalt find no escape. Do not make me
Destroy thee. Great importance shalt thou have
Within the Empire’s power, and thine own
Shall only grow with time. I prithee, join
With me, and I your training shall complete.
When our strength is combin’d, we shall conclude
This bitter conflict and bring order to
The galaxy entire.

—I never shall
Join with thee; I would rather be destroy’d.

[ aside: ] The boy doth admirably keep his head,
But now I shall unleash the final blow.
[ To Luke: ] If thou but knewest all the power of
The dark side. Obi-Wan hath never told
Thee of what happen’d to thy father, Luke.

O, he hath spoken much. And he hath told
Me of the truth—that thou didst slay him, aye,
And without cause or mercy, murderer
Most vile and wretched!

—No, I am thy father.

Nay, ’tis not true! It is impossible!

Pray, search thy feelings, Luke. Thou knowest it
Is true.

—Nay!

—Luke, thou mayst the Emperor
Destroy; he hath foreseen what thou wouldst do.
It is thy destiny, come join with me—
Together we shall rule the galaxy
As son and father. Come now, Luke, it is
The only way: the dark side is thy path.
O join with me, and we shall be as one.

I fall, and yet no death’s upon me yet.
I fall, for ’tis a better path than hate.

He falls, and welcomes death instead of pow’r.
He falls, but I can sense he liveth still.

I have not died—but pass into this shaft.
I have not died—though I may wish it so.

He hath not died—his heart screams in its fear.
He hath not died—so may he yet be turn’d.

I am held fast by this vane o’er the clouds.
I am held fast by some mirac’lous pow’r.

He is held fast within the dark side’s grasp.
He is held fast by his own clouded mind.

O Ben, I call to thee, but wilt thou hear?
I do remember thou didst say thou couldst
Not interfere in this, but O Ben, hear!
Alas, my mentor’s gone fore’er, and gives
No answer—e’en deserted by the dead.
If he cannot appear and rescue me,
Then I shall try the living: Leia, next
I call to thee. I prithee, Leia, hear!

[ aside: ] What is this voice that echoes in mine ears?
’Tis Luke, I know it is. Yet how is it
That I do hear him when he is not nigh?
No matter—more important ’tis that I
Respond unto his call. [ To Lando: ] We must go back.

What didst thou say?

—I know where Luke is!

—What
About the fighters drawing near?

—Egh, auugh!

I prithee, Chewie: Han we could not save,
But may yet rescue Luke, if we make haste.

But what about the fighters, Princess?

Pray, peace, good Wookiee, thou shalt have thy way.

What ties most deep do bind these souls as one!
In all my workings as a bus’nessman,
In all my making deals and earning more,
I have forgotten what doth make life rich:
’Tis friendship, love, and sacrifice that make
A life, and I too long have not liv’d well!
Farewell, the former Lando, lonely man!
Farewell to selfish pride and high ambition!
Farewell to scoundrelhood and avarice!
Farewell to all the things my life has been!
From now, I shall the great Rebellion serve,
And join myself unto this band of friends
Whate’er befall—pain, injury, or death.

Now come, brave Luke, whose mates to thee are dear,
I have not met thee, but do call thee brother.
Give me your hand, good Sir, if we be friends,
And Lando shall, in time, restore amends.
[ To Leia: ] Good Princess, let us fly, for all is well!

O Luke, my heart doth swell to see thee safe!
Thou hast been caught within Darth Vader’s trap,
But now thou art deliver’d and restor’d.

Now go with me unto the cot, and rest.
In time, we shall trade tales of grief and woe.

The man is sav’d, but now the battle’s on,
For by TIE fighters is our ship pursu’d!

The Falcon is attack’d, Luke. Lie thou back,
I shall anon return to give thee aid.