Harper quotes from Sharpe

Sir, he's got the...

Pox! What are you whispering for Harper? I think I've seen plenty of pox in my time!

And what do you require?

Bed, board, breakfast and a bit of respect, you piece of English arse.

[empties wine bottle into his flagon, shakes it] Bloody hell!

[sets a new bottle down in front of him]

[stands, grabs Harper by the shoulders] Bloody hell! Patrick! Not you!

Aye, it's me.

Damn me, ye came! Ye came!

Aye, I did come, I did.

Sit down, Pat, sit down. Make room for Sergeant-Major Harper.

[Sits, Harris and Hagman make room for him] Actually, it's just Patrick Harper. Mister Patrick Harper, Horse-master to the gentry.

What, not re-enlisting?

I am not. The King's had more than his shilling out of me, so he has.

For all these years I've been fighting the French, I've become sick and bloody tired of that shit-music they play.

[laughs]

I am, so I am!

I thought you were dead, Pat!

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

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.

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

Well I don't see no bugger else.

Stand off, please!

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

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.