Sharpe (TV Series)

Sharpe's Eagle (1993)

David Troughton: Sir Arthur Wellesley

Quotes 

• [about the first defeat of the South Essex] 

  Wellesley : This is a report from Major Hogan, which differs somewhat from your account, Sir Henry.

  Sir Henry Simmerson : Major Hogan is merely an engineer, sir.

  Wellesley : Major Hogan's coat buttons up tight over a number of other duties, Sir Henry.

  [he glances over at Hogan, then continues:] 

  Wellesley : Major Hogan reports a number of losses, Sir Henry. He says you first lost your head, and instead of destroying the bridge, you marched over it. He says you then lost your nerve, and ran from a small French patrol. He says you lost ten men, a Major and two sergeants. He says you finally lost your sense of honour and destroyed the bridge, cutting off a rescue party led by Lieutenant Sharpe. Major Hogan leaves the worst to the last. He says you lost the King's Colours.

  Sir Henry Simmerson : [nervous]  The fault was not mine, sir. Major Lennox must answer.

  Wellesley : [shouting]  Major Lennox answered with his *life*! As you should have done if you had any sense of honour! You lost the Colours of the King of England! You disgraced us, sir. You shamed us, sir. *You* will answer.

• Wellesley : The South Essex is stood down in name. If I wipe the name away, I may wipe the shame. I am making you a Battalion of Detachments, you will fetch and carry. The Light Company put up a fight, so I will let it stand under the command of a new captain.

  [he returns his attention to his papers] 

  Sir Henry Simmerson : [a slight hope]  To be commanded by the newly-gazetted... Captain Gibbons, sir?

  Wellesley : [looks up at him]  To be commanded by the newly-gazetted Captain *Sharpe*, sir.

• Maj. Hogan : And what are your intentions, Sir Arthur?

  Wellesley : Why, Hogan, I mean to give the French a damn good thrashing.

• Wellesley : Sharpe, I can make you a captain, but I cannot keep you a captain. There is talk of an imperial eagle, Sharpe. There is talk of a promise made to the late Major Lennox. Swear to me on oath that the talk is just idle gossip, Sharpe, or by God, sir, you will walk out of that door a lieutenant.

  Richard Sharpe : I swear on oath tha no one heard me make a promise in respect of an imperial eagle to Major Lennox, sir.

  Wellesley : Colonel Lawford?

  Colonel Lawford : Sir?

  Wellesley : You may escort Captain Sharpe to the door, Colonel Lawford.

• [Sharpe has challenged Berry to a duel after he and Gibbons have raped and flogged Josefina] 

  Wellesley : My orders are perfectly clear, Lawford. Dueling is strictly forbidden. I shall make no exception in respect of Captain Sharpe. If he fights Berry at dawn, he will be back among the ranks before the sun is up!

  [Lawford opens his mouth] 

  Wellesley : There is no more to say, sir!

  Colonel Lawford : Yes, sir.

  [Wellesley walks over to Hogan] 

  Wellesley : French hopping about a bit, Hogan.

  Maj. Hogan : Yes, sir.

  Wellesley : Send out a patrol to take a look. Not too big. Eight men, two officers.

  Maj. Hogan : I have done so, sir. About an hour ago. Captain Sharpe and Lieutenant Berry.

  Wellesley : That should do the trick, Hogan.

  [Lawford grins] 

• Wellesley : Must be a damn good book, Hogan.

  Maj. Hogan : Shakespeare, sir. "Julius Caesar." Marc Antony. "Lend me your ears," eh?

  Wellesley : [reading]  "These many then shall die. Their names are pricked." By God, Hogan, you may be sure my name is well-pricked by those needles at Horse Guards!

  Maj. Hogan : Ah, a general who wins battles and lives to claim the credit will never lack for enemies in London, sir.

• Sir Henry Simmerson : [stepping forward for one last attempt at bluster]  I have a cousin at Horse Guards, sir, and I have friends at court.

  Wellesley : [looks up from his papers VERY slowly, then deliberately:]  A man who loses the King's Colours... loses the King's friendship.