Sharpe quotes from Sharpe

I thought you were dead, Pat!

I can't be watching your arse if I'm dead, now can I?

Simmerson

You should be wary of this one, McRae. He thinks because Wellington raised him up from the sewer that it somehow makes him a gentleman. Don't know your place, do you, Sharpie?

Maybe not, but I know how to stand before a French column. I know how to face fire without soiling my breeches and turning tail.

Oh, God almighty. Out of the frying pan...

It's just not our bloody night, Pat.

Oh, come on now, lads. Three to one? That's not fair odds, now is it?

Ah, they don't want fair odds though, do they? Eh, Shadrach? It's a bloody contest. Come on, Pat. Come on, let's show these buggers.

What do you reckon then, Pat? This Khande Rao can be taken?

Well he has a reputation of being a real monster.

[comes up from behind a tent] If he is a monster, Mr. Harper, then he's one of British making.

How's that, Captain?

The Company have only maintained the peace here, by keeping the princes at each other's throats. Khande Rao's father: he feared his neighbours more than he hated the British. And so it was your country that kept him supplied with arms.

That sounds just like the English: getting someone else to do its dirty work!

The son is not the father, however: Khande Rao wants you out of our country; once and for all. It is a view with which I cannot say I do not have some sympathy.

So why are you fighting with us?

Khande Rao is... a sworn enemy of my blood. And that makes you my enemy's enemy, and therefore, a necessary evil. Good day to you both.

I don't think I like the sound of that. A necessary evil...

Were we ever been else?

Oh. And there was me thinking we were always on the side of the angels.

Simmerson

Sharpe! I see time has done nothing to improve a want of etiquette in you. Still the same, whore-mongering, gutter trash of memory!

Aye, and you're still the same cruel, flogging bastard!

Simmerson

Cruel, sir? I calls it discipline! Sepoys they may be. But this is a Christian army and I will see things done the Christian way!

[Sarcastically] Oh, ay, there's no doubt about that.

Where are you going?

After the bastards that did this, where do you think?

So, you and me are going to stop a rebellion?

Well I don't see no bugger else.

I am no longer in the service of His Majesty. My business in India concluded, I am for Calcutta and England.

But perhaps then, might at least you be prevailed upon to perform one last duty? In which, I assure you, there is no peril to yourself.

You mean to leave me here, in the company of common soldiers?

Good practice, I'd have thought. You're set to marry one, aren't you?

Major Joubert is a gentleman.

God knows, I didn't look for this duty. But for better or worse, I'm responsible for your safety.

Unhand me! You are rude, sir. You are rude, and ignorant, and an uncouth brute!

And you, madam, are a spoiled, wilful, petulant and selfish young fool!

Stand off, please!

Didn't you hear, Pat? Hakeswill! Hakeswill! And you give him a rifle?

Colonel, what's this man's father to you?

He killed my wife! And left our daughter motherless!

Wormwood

My men come along your supper there, sir, looking to take his pleasure of the maid, sir, by force.

Rape's a hanging, drunk's a flogging, and you in charge of all.

Wormwood

[suggesting to kill Simmerson in the hospital] It might be... 'kindness' to end his suffering, sir! I served once in a company that was wiped out by his orders. He's a stupid, malicious bastard!

Aye. But he's my stupid, malicious bastard. And I say he lives.

Simmerson

Leaving us, Sharpe?

Opium's been recovered, land restored to peace. Job's done.

Simmerson

It would appear I owe you my life.

We all make mistakes, Sir Henry.

Simmerson

Quite so, quite so. God speed you safe home- Richard. [offers his hand]

I have now seen it all. Simmerson callin' you "Richard" and shakin' you by the hand.

I think I'd sooner the bastard he were.

Aye, but if Simmerson can change like that, then there's hope for us all. We for home?

Aye. Maybe this time we'll get there.