Verily, a New Hope (William Shakespeare's Star Wars, #4)

by Ian Doescher

In time so long ago begins our play, In star-crossed galaxy far, far away.

C-3PO —Be thou not technical with me, Or else thine input valve may swift receive A hearty helping of my golden foot.

O help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi, help. Thou art mine only hope.

Mos Eisley spaceport. Never shalt thou find A hive more rank and wretched, aye, and fill’d With villainy. So must we cautious be.

LUKE —But O, what now? What light through yonder flashing sensor breaks?

LUKE Friends, rebels, starfighters, lend me your ears. Wish not we had a single fighter more, If we are mark’d to die, we are enough To make our planets proud. But should we win, We fewer rebels share the greater fame. We all have sacrific’d unto this cause. Ye all know well the fam’ly I have lost— My uncle dear and aunt belov’d, aye both, And then a mentor great, a pow’rful friend. As massive is the grief I feel for them, I know full well they’d not have me back down. The princess hath a planet lost, with friends And family alike—how great her pain! And yet as grave as that emotion is, She knoweth they would have her lead us still. And ye, ye goodly men and women too, Ye all have liv’d and lov’d and lost as well, Your stories are with mine one and the same. For all of us have known of grief and joy, And every one has come unto this day Not so that we may turn our backs and flee, But that we may a greater courage show, Both for ourselves and those we left behind. So let us not wish further ships were here, And let us not of tiny holes be fear’d— Why, I have with a T-16 back home Gone hunting womp rats scarcely larger than The target we are call’d upon to strike. And ye, ye brave souls, have your memories Of your great exploits in your own homelands, So think on them and let your valor rise, For with the Force and bravery we win. O! Great shall be the triumph of that hour When Empire haughty, vast and powerful Is fell’d by simple hands of rebels base, Is shown the might of ...