William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back

[to Controller:] Belike the power generators willTheir prim’ry target be. Prepare thou nowTo open up the shield. And may the ForceAttend our swift retreat, our hearts inspire!

CONTROL.

Now standby ion cannon; aye, and fire.

[Exeunt.

Scene 2.

The ice world of Hoth.

EnterCHORUS.

CHORUS

The transports make their way deep into space;The ion cannon leads as they take flight.But now the rebels grave new dangers face,As th’Empire sends a ground assault to fight.

EnterLUKE SKYWALKER

andDACK, his copilot, withREBEL PILOTS, includingWEDGE ANTILLES, JANSON, andZEV.

DACK

How dost thou fare, good Sir? For I have heardOf your unlucky recent incident.How is it with thee after the attack?

LUKE

Quite well, I thank thee, Dack. And art thou well?

DACK

Aye, truthfully, Commander—I do feelI could the Empire overthrow myself,

If I were giv’n the opportunity.A single warrior to bring them down,A single hand to show rebellion’s strength,A single mind that could outwit them all,A single Dack to best the Empire’s might.

LUKE

O noble soul, how like a soldier said!It seems that thou and I are fashion’d fromOne cloth—one fabric knits our souls together.The feeling you express is one I’ve known.Indeed, it is a potent privilege,But also brings responsibility.

Enter AT-ATS 1, 2, and 3, giant Imperial walkers, on other side.

AT-AT 1

But who did bid thee join with us?

AT-AT 3

—Piett.’Twas he who order’d me to come with yeTo crush the rebels and their little base.

AT-AT 2

Well said, for I know of no baser base—’Twill be a vict’ry great when ’tis destroy’d.But think ye we shall in this fight prevail?The rebels are a force formidable.

AT-AT 1

My friends, we have had quite enough of talk:The battle is upon us, let us go.And ye who doubt, I pray remember this:Although we are but AT-ATs gray and plain,We have a noble task to undertake—Our mighty Emperor’s reign to protect,The great Darth Vader to obey and aid,And Admiral Piett to serve with pride.So shall an AT-AT swoon before the fight,

Or should our legs be shaken ere th’assault?Have we been made to cower? I say nay!An AT-AT should be made of sterner stuff.

AT-AT 3

[to AT-AT 2:] I pray, good walker, is he ever thus?

AT-AT 2

Aye, truly, Sir, I never yet have metAn All Terrain Armorèd Transport whoIs loftier of mind than this one here.Indeed, although like us he’s made of steel,He never enters battle zones unlessHe hath made some great speech to steel his nerves.It does no harm.

AT-AT 3

—No harm, but to mine ears.I’d rather fight than hear another speech.

AT-AT 1

Now let us go, these rebels to destroy!