That Hamilton Woman Page #11

Well, to tell you the truth, I just happened to be

passing and thought I'd come and see you.

Will you stay to luncheon?

Oh, thank you, my lady.

Mother, darling, tell the coachman we leave

at two. I want the child here before dark.

Yes, dear, I'll tell him.

He's in the garden. You can see his work of art

in the summerhouse.

I don't want to disturb him, my lady.

I know he likes his peace and quiet.

Just because he won't see St Vincent and Keith

when they write him pompous letters?

Oh, no, Hardy, you're different.

You're an old friend. Come along.

No, to tell you the truth, Lady Hamilton,

I didn't come to see him.

I came to see you.

Me?

Yes.

There's no chance of our being overheard,

is there?

No, but what is the mystery?

Well, do you ever read the newspapers

down here?

Not unless we can help it.

We're not particularly interested

in the court news.

Nor the gossip, the scandal.

You may have missed what happened.

Bonaparte's made himseIf Emperor of France.

Yes, we saw that.

What is his next move?

His next move will be the invasion of England.

Oh, ridiculous!

So it may sound, my lady.

That's what we all thought when we first heard it.

But it's true. This peace was no good.

It'll break any day now.

This self-styled Emperor

has made an alliance with Spain.

He's raked together a new fleet

from goodness knows where.

And he's building transports and barges

as fast as he can turn them out.

From Boulogne to Brest,

every single Channel port is chock-full of them.

He's got a whole army behind him

waiting to embark.

A few weeks from now,

all he'll need is a fair wind.

And all you'll need... will be Nelson.

Yes, that's it, my lady.

- Is that all?

- That's all, my lady.

You see...

Well...

Nelson's the only man who can save us.

Now, listen to me, Hardy,

I have helped the Navy whenever I could,

but not this time, Hardy, not this time.

Let them find some other man to take command.

Keith or Parker or St Vincent himself. Not him!

Don't they understand, Hardy?

He's given so much.

His arm, his sight, his health.

He needs rest and he must have it.

For the first time in his life

he's found peace of mind and happiness.

And I'm going to see that he keeps it.

If they want me to use my influence, I will.

All my influence to persuade him

that this new war is none of his business!

That's...

all I have to say.

Of course, there's nothing to prevent you from

talking it over with him personally at luncheon.

Will you stay?

No, thank you, my lady.

I think perhaps l'd better get back.

Goodbye, Hardy.

(Carriage withdraws)

Oh, come along. I thought you were dressing.

What have you been doing?

We'll never get there if you don't look sharp.

Besides, I'm hungry.

Starving.

I don't think we'll go today, Horatio.

It will save two trips if we pick her up tomorrow,

after you've been to the Admiralty.

The Admiralty?

Hardy has been here. They sent him.

They need you, dear, badly.

This war is coming, as you always said it would.

And there's no-one else.

Did you tell Hardy I would go?

Yes.

It's a matter of course, dear, isn't it?

It'll be freezing tonight on the high roads

over the downs.

Yes,

I think I'll take the little rug I use in my study.

- Oh, yes, I know, I'll get it.

- I'll get it, Mother.

(Carriage withdraws)

He thought he wouldn't need the rug.

He'll never come back, Mother.

? Cheer up, my lads,'tis to glory we steer

? To add something new to this wonderful year

? To honour we call you as free men not slaves

? For who are so free as the sons of the waves?

? Hearts of oak are our ships

? Jolly tars are our men

? We always are ready

? Steady, boys, steady

? We'll fight and we'll conquer again and again

Mr Pasco,

I will now amuse the fleet with a signal.

Mr Pasco,

I wish to say to the fleet...

..''England confides

that every man will do his duty.''

Be quick. I've one more to follow for close action.

If you will permit me to substitute

''expects'' for ''confides'',

it will be sooner completed.

That will do. Make it directly.

Those Frenchmen

have sharpshooters up in the rigging, sir.

I know. Why do you tell me?

Do you think it's wise to wear all those

decorations? They make a nice target.

- I won them in battle, didn't l?

- Yes, sir, but...

Then I shall wear them in battle.

England...

Expects...

That...

Every...

Man...

Will...

Do...

His...

Duty.

? Come cheer up, my lads,'tis to glory we sail

? To add something new to this wonderful year

? To honour we call you as free men not slaves

? For who are so free as the sons of the waves?

? Hearts of oak are our ships

? Jolly tars are our men

? We always are ready

? Steady, boys, steady

? We'll fight and we'll conquer...

We'll be on them in half an hour, sir.

Mon capitaine,

la flotte enemie est nord-ouest et bbord.

Mon amiral,

la flotte enemie est nord-ouest et bbord.

Prparez pour l'attaque.

(Cannonfire)

- They're getting pretty close now, sir.

-Not yet.

(Explosions)

Starboard broadside fire as you bear.

(Repeats order)

(Man shouts)

(Cannonfire continues)

Voil l'Amiral!

Sir!

They've... done for me, at last.

You're not badly hurt, are you, sir?

My backbone... shot through.

(Explosions)

HARDY:
I'll carry you to Dr Beattie.

- You stay on deck. Come to me when you can.

Cover my face... these decorations.

No time for the men to see me like this.

(Explosions continue)

Mr Beattie...

... I have no feeling... below my breast.

No lower.

I know what that means, Mr Beattie.

My spine is broken.

My lord...unhappily for our country,

nothing...can be done for you.

Poor Emma.

What will become of her?

(Shouting from above deck)

Was that cheering?

They're cheering in all our ships, my lord.

The French line has broken.

Why doesn't Hardy come?

- He must be killed.

- He's on deck, sir. He can't leave.

(Shouting)

(Moans)

(Gasps)

They're cheering again.

The French flagship has surrendered, sir.

(Croakily ) Good.

Why don't they bring Hardy to me?

He sends a message, sir.

We're against the Redoubtable.

When we have beaten her, he will come.

(Nelson gasps)

- How goes it, Hardy?

- Fourteen of them are ours, sir.

Not enough.

Twenty. Twenty.

(Gasps) Don't throw me overboard, Hardy.

No, sir.

You know what to do.

Let my dear Lady Hamilton have my hair...

..and all things belonging to me.

You mustn't die, sir. You mustn't die!

(Softly ) It's all over now, Hardy.

All over now.

(Whispers)

Sir!

Sir! It's eighteen now sir

Eighteen - a great victory.

Thank God.

I have done my duty.

Kiss me...Hardy.

I am the resurrection and the life,

sayeth the Lord.

He that believeth in me

though he were dead, yet shall he live;

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me

shall never die.

(Continues sermon)

It's all right, Anna, I'll draw them myself.

Thank you.

My lady.

- Do you come from Portsmouth, Hardy?

-No, Spithead, Lady Hamilton.

I came on the St George, she's our fastest ship.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes