William Shakespeare's The Empire Striketh Back

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

VADER

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

[Luke falls onto a weather vane at the bottom of the shaft.

LUKE

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

VADER

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

[Exit Darth Vader.

LUKE

O Ben, I call to thee, but wilt thou hear?

I do remember thou didst say thou couldstNot interfere in this, but O Ben, hear!Alas, my mentor’s gone fore’er, and givesNo answer—e’en deserted by the dead.If he cannot appear and rescue me,Then I shall try the living: Leia, nextI call to thee. I prithee, Leia, hear!

EnterCHEWBACCA, PRINCESS LEIA, andLANDO, aside in the Millennium Falcon.

LEIA

[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 IRespond unto his call. [To Lando:] We must go back.

LANDO

What didst thou say?

LEIA

—I know where Luke is!

LANDO

—WhatAbout the fighters drawing near?

CHEWBAC.

—Egh, auugh!

LEIA

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

LANDO

But what about the fighters, Princess?

CHEWBAC.

—Auugh!

LANDO

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

[They approach Luke in the ship. Lando breaks off from the others to let Luke in.

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 makeA 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 friendsWhate’er befall—pain, injury, or death.

[Lando opens the hatch. Luke drops from the weather vane into the ship.

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!

LEIA

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.

[Luke and Leia embrace while Lando returns to the cockpit.