Sharpe quotes

You saved my life.

You tried to end mine.

I've never met you.

Well, do you hear that, Pat? She's never met me.

You're bleeding, sir. Don't move.

What about my shameful suggestions?

What?

Oh, she's denying me now, Pat. After all we've been through.

I hear her, sir.

You think she'd remember the man who got down on his knees, drunk mind you, and crawled on her floor begging Her Ladyship to sleep with him. Bugger!

I'd remember it.

Aye! So would I. A man lost his honour because of the lady's lies. Stripped of his rank. Hung on a rope.

Who are you?

You know who I am. My name is Sharpe.

Bloody French on one side, a madman on the other... and we're stuck here with the woman who had me hung.

God does work in mysterious ways.

Sarge? Where are we off to, Sarge?

We're going to join up with a man called Sharpe, lads.

You mean we're all gonna die?

No, lad. Mister Sharpe may be dead in the eyes of French, but to you and me he's as lively as an eel.

[grabs Harper's arm] Just a minute.

How, Sarge?

You know the Army, boys. They couldn't hang a curtain, even if they tried. [they all laugh]

Ducos

You have failed me, priest.

I do not understand.

Ducos

Sharpe is alive. The Marquesa is free. The English come.

[frightened] Sharpe is dead. I saw him hanged.

Ducos

You call me a liar?

I had an uncle who thought the Faeries were after him.

What happened to him?

Well, sir, they got him.

Miss Nugent?

Yes?

Major Richard Sharpe. Are these your rifles? We've had them cleaned for you.

Oh, there was no need.

[smiling a little] I think there was, miss.

I mean, no hurry. Unless to put a bullet through Cousin Arthur, the General. He's kicking us out.

You traveled here alone?

Just a guide, and a servant.

Glad you had these. [indicates rifles]

They're American. Made in Pennsylvania.

None better.

Speaking as a Rifleman?

Yes, miss.

I'll see you tonight? At me cousin's party.

Doubt it miss.

Are you on duty?

I'm ... not exactly in his favour at the moment.

Ah, well. You like me...you could come as my escort, Major Sharpe, will ye?

I, uh.

We could talk about guns!

Are you alright? [sees the dead soldier, shot through the chest] My God, you did well.

[woodenly] She saved me.

[pointedly ignoring Ayres] A clean shot.

He's so young. He's just a boy.

They all are, fresh recruits.

Well, Mister Ayres, I shall report this. A skilled defense, and a valiant action.

[aware that Sharpe is mocking him] I'm not very experienced.

First rule. Always get a girl between you and the enemy.

[softly] I killed him. I never...I never did that. [Sharpe puts his hand on her shoulder]

I'm most grateful for this young man. He saved us all.

Wellesley

It's what he does. Isn't it, Sharpe?

No more of my men will die in this God-forsaken place.

They will if I find them.

You there, out of the road. [Sharpe ignores him] Out of the road! [Sharpe continues to ignore him] Are you deaf, sir?

Go round.

Do you know who I am?

I know what you are.

[reading letter to Wellington] From his most Catholic Majesty, King Ferdinand, my Lord, I've taken the precaution of reading it. Shall I read it for you now? [Wellington nods] Um. His most Catholic Majesty....

Wellesley

Yes, yes, yes, get on with it.

In a spirit of regal cooperation with his royal cousin England, and in his great desire to drive the French invader from the the sacred soil of Spain has directed the Royal Irish Company of His Majesty's Household Guard under the command of Lord Kiley, to place themselves under the command of Field Marshal, the Lord Wellington. Sir.

Wellesley

Copied to Horse Guards, I presume.

Copied to the Prince Regent himself, my Lord.

Wellesley

Can we intercept it?

No sir, it's been gone these two weeks. You'll no doubt be flattered by the gesture.

Wellesley

Yes. Which means that we're stuck with 'em.

I'm sure they'll prove decorative.

Wellesley

I don't need decorative! I need an extra battalion of trained foot with full equipment to throw against the French. Are they all Irish?

Most of them are Spanish-born these days, but they have to be descended from Irish exiles.

Wellesley

Put them to latrine-digging.

My lord, if we employ the King's Household Guard on menial tasks, it will be construed as an insult to our Spanish allies, as well as to His most Catholic Majesty.

Wellesley

Damn His most Catholic Majesty! And damn this Lord Kiley. I know the Irish peerage. Irish Catholic exiles. You're paid to advise me Munro, so earn your damn pay.

I fear we must welcome Lord Kiley and his men, even while we mistrust them. It seems to me that we must do our best to make them feel...uncomfortable.

Wellesley

Drive them out? How?

Bivouac them close to the French lines, so that those who wish to desert will find it easy. We'll get them a liason officer, of course, someone senior enough to sooth Kiley's feathers. But why not give them a drill-master, too?

Wellesley

I doubt Lord Kiley would like a certain major of our acquaintance.

Ach, I cannot think they'll take to each other, my Lord, no.

Wellesley

Good! Then give the puppets Richard Sharpe!! [laughing]

Take my advice, Harris. When you get home, write a bloody good book with loads of shooting in it. You'll die a rich man.

Which would you prefer me to do Sharpe? Play Beallagh na Bruga, that's the march, or send you on a dangerous mission?

Ahh, dangerous mission, sir.

Who's winning the war, Sharpe?

Lord Wellington, sir.

Why's he winning it, Sharpe?

Steady troops, sir.

[Munro shakes his head] Superior intelligence. Supplied by whom laddie?

Men like you, sir.

Ugh, don't lick me, laddie!

[To Pipe-major outside Munro's tent] How do you stand it, Pipe major?

[loudly] I said, how do you stand it? [Pipe-major pulls a cotton wad out of his ear; Sharpe laughs with him]

See if you understand this, on the count of three I'm gonna kick you in the crotch!

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.