2007_06_01_archive

Pirates

There is a scene in 'Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End' where

Elizabeth delivers an epic speech;

"You all listen to me! LISTEN! The other ships will still be

looking to us, the Black Pearl to lead, and what will they see?

Frightened bilgerats aboard a derelict ship? No, they will see free

men and freedom! And the enemy will see the flash of our canons and

they will hear the ringing of our swords and they will know what we

can do! With the sweat of our brow and the strength of our backs

and the courage in our hearts! Gentlemen, Hoist the Colours"

Note to movie makers - women can deliver epic speech, and do a good

job at it. But they cannot do it bellowing like drill instructors; it

comes out sounding shrill. Shrill is non-epic. This is effective epic

speech and how it should be delivered;

My loving people,

We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to

take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of

treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my

faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear, I have always so

behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength

and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and

therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for

my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and

heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down

for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my

blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body but of a weak and

feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a

king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or

any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my

realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I

myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and

rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already,

for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We

do assure you in the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you.

In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than

whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not

doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in

the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a

famous victory over those enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of

my people.