Simmerson quotes from Sharpe

Speaking as a Virginian, sir, I must say as how I don't hold with flogging white men, sir.

Colonel Simmerson

My dear Captain Leroy. You may be a loyalist, but you are still an American; you do not know the British soldier, sir. He is a brute beast in a red coat, he needs the lash!

Wellesley

Continue, Sir Henry.

Simmerson

Well, sir, on first sighting the enemy, I naturally gave the order to advance; that's my style, sir. The South Essex crossed over the bridge and engaged the enemy. Major Lennox panicked. So then I fell back in good order and destroyed the bridge, sir. I have written to Horse Guards, sir, to state that the South Essex acquitted itself most commendably in discharging both your general order to engage the enemy, and your particular order to destroy the bridge, sir.

Wellesley

Did any officer distinguish himself?

Simmerson

Lieutenant Gibbons led the advance, sir. You may say that he is tied to me by blood. But is it a tie of blood to tie my tongue and rob a brave man of his just reward? No, sir! I move that Lieutenant Gibbons be gazetted captain, sir.

Wellesley

And Lieutenant Sharpe?

Simmerson

Lieutenant Sharpe dithered, sir. He was cut off when we destroyed the bridge.

Wellesley

This is a report from Major Hogan which differs somewhat from your account, 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. 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... [stares] He says you lost the King's Colours.

Simmerson

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! [silence] The South Essex is stood down in name. If I wipe the name, 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.

Simmerson

To be commanded by the newly gazetted Captain Gibbons, sir?

Wellesley

To be commanded by the newly gazetted Captain Sharpe, sir.

Simmerson

I have a cousin at Horse Guards, sir…and I have friends at Court.

Wellesley

[unmoved] A man who loses the King's Colours loses the King's friendship. You have two choices: to hide in England or be a hero in Spain. I shall help you to be a hero. We had a skirmish with the French today; tomorrow we shall have a battle. You will be the first to see a French column, sir; it is not a pretty sight. What you do then, sir, is up to you. Good morning.

Simmerson

Well, what's it to you, priest? You hate the British.

I'm Irish. John Bull's a bad neighbour. But Bonaparte's a bully, and so are you!

God forgive me, but I wish it had lasted longer.

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.

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.

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.