William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back

—Then ’twas wiseThat I did turn it off, for I have noDesire to speak with her.

C-3PO

—I see. But sheHath after Master Luke made inquiry,For surely he hath not return’d untoThe base. She knows not where he is.

HAN

—In thatHer mind and mine are one. I know not whereHe is.

C-3PO

—But no one knows his whereabouts.

HAN

What dost thou mean by “no one,” prating droid?Deck officer, deck officer!

Enter

DECK OFFICER.

OFFICER

—Yes, Sir?

HAN

Dost thou know where Commander Skywalker Is?

OFFICER

—I’ve not seen him, but ’tis possibleHe through the entrance to the south return’d.

HAN

“’Tis possible”? I prithee, good lad, goThou thither and find out. It grows quite darkOutside.

OFFICER

—Aye, Sir.

[Exit deck officer.

C-3PO

—Excuse me, Sir, but mayI ask what doth transpire?

HAN

—Thou mayst indeed.

C-3PO

O man impossible! Come thou, R2,Let us return unto the princess now.The drying of her clothes is now the leastOf all our worries, for another illFar greater than our mishap is afoot.In confidence I tell thee: I do fearThat Master Luke grave danger doth confront.

[Exit C-3PO and R2-D2.

HAN

What portents strange, what evil tidings this:My friend by no one seen, the droids afraid,Chewbacca prone to error with the ship,The young deck officer so tentative—These things foretell some ill that shall occur.But if misfortune toucheth anyone,Let it be me and not my partner, Luke.

For he is like a brother unto me,As all who fight with me in battle are.Though I did save him in the Death Star clash,’Tis he hath sav’d me from the smuggler’s lifeBy leading me on paths more true than IHad e’er foreseen. Now do I call him friend,And this rebellion is the cause we share.From all my friends here I would not departIf I were not by Jabba hunted down.Aye, I would give my bones—my life—for greatRebellion’s sake if e’er it were requir’d.But soft you now: the officer returns.

EnterDECK OFFICER.

OFFICER

Good Sir, Commander Skywalker hath notCome in the entrance to the south. He mayHave but forgotten to check in.

HAN

—Nay, nay.His nature is not thus. Now tell me, areThe speeders ready?

OFFICER

—Nay, we have not yetAdapted them unto the cold of Hoth.

HAN

So then upon a tauntaun’s back I’ll ride.Though with especial foulness they abuseMy nose, they are the speediest we have.

OFFICER

But Sir, the temp’rature doth drop too fastFor any living being to survive.

HAN

’Tis true, and my dear friend doth bear the brunt.He shall not die while I have life or breath,For neither snow nor ice nor gloom of HothShall stay my rescue of my greatest friend.

OFFICER