Captain Blood
written by Casey Robinson, from the novel by Rafael Sabatini
Peter Blood: We, the undersigned, are men without a country. Outlaws in our own land and homeless outcasts in any other. Desperate men, we go to seek a desperate fortune. Therefore, we do, here and now, band ourselves into a brotherhood of bucaneers... to practice the trade of piracy on the high seas. We, the hunted, will now hunt! Therefore, to that end, we enter into the following Articles of Agreement: First: We pledge ourselves to be bound together as brothers in a life and death friendship, sharing alike in fortune and in trouble. Second Article: All monies and valuables which may come into our possession shall be lumped together into a common fund... and from this fund shall first be taken the money to fit, rig, and provision the ship. After that, the recompense each shall receive who is wounded is follows: for the loss of a right arm: six hundred pieces of eight; left arm: five hundred; for the loss of a right leg: five hundred; left leg: four hundred... If a man conceal any treasure captured or fail to place it in the general fund, he shall be marooned. Set ashore on a deserted isle, and there left with a bottle of water, a loaf of bread and a pistol with one load. If a man shall be drunk on duty he shall recieve the same fate. And if a man shall molest a woman captive against her will... he, too, shall receive the same punishment. These Articles entered into this 20th day of June, in the year 1687. Now, men, you've heard the Agreement. It's the world against us and us against the world!
Credit and many thanks to Michael for this monologue, it is very much appreciated.