[ aside:] A brother! What strange circumstance is this?My friend, this Luke, doth claim a brother’s place?And is Darth Vader thus my father, too?What of the father that I once did know—Organa, he for whom I have been nam’d?Shall I, now fully grown, begin anewAnd learn to love another family?I thought my kinfolk all had been dispatch’dWhen Alderaan was cruelly destroy’d.Yet Luke doth tell me that the man who stoodAnd watch’d with joy whilst Alderaan was blownApart is he whom I should “Father” call?It shall take time and thought to reconcileMy heart unto this news. But with what joyAlready I do welcome Luke intoMy life as brother—there I have no qualms,For he hath been a brother unto meSince first we met. A brother! O, what news![ To Luke:] It is as if I did already know—Within my heart ’tis like I’ve always known.LukeThen canst thou see why I must face him now?LeiaNay, that I cannot see. If he can feelThee here, then flee anon and save thy life!It is no shame to fly from danger, Luke.I wish that I could fly with thee.Luke—Nay, sayThat not, for thou e’er wert the strongest one.LeiaBut wherefore needest thou confront him, Luke?LukeMethinks the man hath good within him still,And shall not basely render his own sonUnto his cruel and vicious Emperor.Methinks I still can save the man who gaveUs life, and turn him to the good once more.Methinks I must endeavor so to do,Or else my path is darker e’en than his.Methinks so many things, dear Leia, butThe most important of them all is this:My father is my duty to reclaim,E’en though he has a vile existence led.His heart, his soul, his life can be redeem’d,’Tis now my mission and, I hope, thine too.And now farewell, for I must take my leave.
[Exit Luke Skywalker.
LeiaO, what a noble mind is here reveal’d:My brother young, yet speaking like a manImbu’d with ev’ry honorable trait.To take upon himself the role of nurseTo heal our wayward, troubl’d father. Ah!And I, of ladies most profoundly bless’d,To have a brother such as this good Luke—His swift return unto our loyal bandI shall with pride await. O joy is mine,T’have seen what I have seen, see what I see!
EnterHAN SOLO.
HanWhat ails thee, Leia?Leia—Nothing, Han. I’ve grownMore full of deepest feeling than I e’erThought possible. I would remain aloneTill I have time to ponder this affair.Han’Tis “nothing”? Prithee, tell me what is wrong.LeiaThou dost not see—I cannot tell thee yet.HanBut Luke, couldst thou tell Luke in whisper’d song?Then shall I leave thee.Leia