159474808X by Ian Doescher Read Free Book Online Page A

have.
They think but inwardly, about themselves:
There’s naught can touch the cold heart of a Sith.
    PALPATINE
Yet do the Jedi not seek their own int’rests?
    ANAKIN
Nay, Jedi care for others, and are selfless.
    PALPATINE
Attend, my boy, the players come anon.
    Enter PLAYER 1 dressed as Darth Plagueis and PLAYER 2 dressed as Darth Plagueis’s wife. Enter PLAYER 3, standing aside as narrator.
    PLAYER 3
The most lamentable and tragic tale
Of one Darth Plagueis, he the Sith of old.
A story of ambition that did fail,
Of death that conquer’d over life: behold!
    PLAYER 1
Darth Plagueis I am call’d, and higher rise
Than any Sith throughout the galaxy.
    PLAYER 2
Indeed, my love, most mighty and most wise:
So may you e’er remain and always be.
Yet what shall come of me if thee I lose?
I tremble at the thought of your demise.
Or what if Fate did come, and me did choose,
How shall one live when that the other dies?
    PLAYER 1
It shall not be, I’ll pick the lock of death.
By Force th’midi-chlorians I control,
And have obtain’d the pow’r to grant a breath.
In short: I can create life, by my soul.
    PLAYER 2
My love, thy knowledge of the dark side frights:
Should any human have such learning, dear?
    PLAYER 1
Methinks thou shalt not fear my dazzling heights
When I do rescue thee from death severe.
    ANAKIN
Pish! Pray, what is this tale of wonder, sir?
    PALPATINE
A story, lad, yet not as thou wouldst hear
From Jedi mouths, for they would keep it hid.
’Tis but an ancient legend of the Sith.
    ANAKIN
But could this man indeed his helpmate save?
    PALPATINE
Be patient, lad, for they shall come to it.
    PLAYER 1
The dark side of the Force is passing strong,
A path to varied possibilities,
E’en if, by some, they are consider’d wrong.
With all my might, these powers shall I seize.
[A dumb show begins. Player 2 falls suddenly, as though dead. Player 1 rushes to Player 2’s side, throwing his hands in the air in sorrow. Then Player 1 mimes using the Force through hand motions and incantations. Player 2 rises, as if from sleep.
    PLAYER 1
There never was a Sith like unto me;
The power over life and death is mine!
Now come, my love, away, and let us flee—
Forever thou art mine and I am thine!
[Exeunt Player 1 and Player 2.
    PLAYER 3
Alas, the might of Plagueis would not hold.
Although with power he was plenty full,
The thought of losing it did turn him cold;
Though death he trump’d, his fear he’d not control.
    Enter PLAYER 1 dressed as Darth Plagueis and PLAYER 2 dressed as Darth Plagueis’s apprentice.
    PLAYER 1
My young apprentice, I did teach thee all:
Thy mind doth hold the wisdom that I know.
    PLAYER 2
Your wisdom’s light doth hold me in its thrall—
My recompense shall bear an equal glow.
[Player 2 brandishes a prop lightsaber and mimes killing Player 1.
    PLAYER 3
The tragic tale of this Darth Plagueis ends
Upon a hopeful moral all should heed:
To save your family, to save your friends:
’Tis possible if you with care proceed.
[Player 1, Player 2, and Player 3 bow, then exeunt.
    ANAKIN
[ aside: ] Herein doth lie a moral I should learn—
This tale a morass of keen intrigue op’d;
’Twas ’gainst all mores, yet my soul more would hear.
    PALPATINE
Ironic, is it not? The man could save
His lov’d ones, but he could not save himself.
    ANAKIN
Is’t possible to learn his pow’r o’er death?
    PALPATINE
Not from a Jedi, nay. They fear the tale.
    ANAKIN
I would hear more of this when time allows:
Mine utmost interest it doth inspire.
    PALPATINE
[ aside: ] O, wondrous work of art that moves him so—
The play hath caught him, shall not let him go.
[Exeunt.

SCENE 5.
    On the planet Kashyyyk.
    Enter Y ODA . Enter T ARFFUL and C HEWBACCA aside, with C LONE T ROOPERS .
    YODA
[ aside: ] Now upon Kashyyyk
I am, the Wookiees withal.
Safe, in the present.
The brave clone troopers
Here by my transport have come:
They protect us all.
Yet some misgiving
In mine old green gorge doth rise—
Fear most unresolv’d.
So quickly we