The Charge of the Light Brigade Page #2

in England.

Does he say I'm the finest dancer? I'm not.

He goes further than that.

He says, probably in Europe, also.

He exaggerates.

William is indeed fortunate.

Are you happy to be a soldier's wife?

Should soldiers have wives, Capt. Nolan?

William should.

That's the Duke of Wellington's statue.

It was subscribed for by the whole nation,

and now they don't know where to put it.

There is great concern.

- He was a fine soldier.

- So are you, I am told.

I learned from a friend

that you have a system.

I'd like to write an article on you

for the Times.

Come on, now!

That is Cardigan's system.

A shilling a man it costs him.

Can you beat that?

He reckons to train up a troop horse

in less than 14 days, is his system.

- Capt. Nolan.

- And his system.

I am not one of your new lights

with tea and a Bible canteen.

It is not a revelation.

Both of you have plenty of it.

You, dear friend, I know,

and you, Russell, I am sure.

It is, in a word, kindliness.

- How are you today, my beauty?

- She's very well, sir. Thank you, sir.

Pridmore. Dismount.

Prepare to mount. Mount.

Move like a Highgate whore,

put some spring into your back.

You'll not learn nothing

from watching this...

...but I should stay watching.

I want you,

what your name is, on the right.

Your name, on the right!

Do you not know your right?

You, on the right!

Where I'm pointing now!

You! I want you to watch this blade...

...for should it waver,

slice it down fairly through my head...

...as hard as you can. Face front!

You've got no hooks on!

Sergeant, on the left.

Hooks is spurs.

- Name?

- Metcalfe.

You will wear your hooks at all times.

Sgt. Smith, what he is doing,

don't look down...

...is marking you right from left.

He can read,

so he knows his left from right.

What you've got there is a new foot...

...an army foot you've never had before.

It's like a foreign language to them.

They don't know any direction,

back or front.

They'll never find their front

when there isn't a black face to it.

I always tell them,

they'll know their front...

...from the many black n*gger faces

waving knives at them.

What we will do now is finding left.

Try it.

Try straw foot forward.

That officer...

Capt. Nolan, my lord.

Does that black savage belong to him?

Capt. Nolan has served in India

and has an Indian servant.

That's no excuse.

Who are you, sir?

I am Capt. William Morris

of the 17th Lancers.

- Are you another of these damned Indians?

- He is an old...

India?

Don't tell me of India,

you and your black rogue.

No use rubbing under it.

Officers who have served in India...

...are considered less worth

than those who purchase their way...

...from one regiment to another.

It is, Nolan, at Kaffirs and savages

you have put your men...

...which is something more

than a round of drills.

You Indians are the only officers

who led your men in war.

Listen, a linnet.

It is good to have you with us.

When you were away, you were

in my thoughts every day. Wasn't he?

You were, indeed.

- You are both good friends now.

- William is very happy.

I am.

We all are.

He does love you dearly.

- Are we now to become horse marines?

- We are.

"For thy smile would make a summer

"Where darkness else would be

"For thy smile could make a summer

"Where darkness else would be"

One, two, three, four.

Who gave you permission to dismount?

One, two...

...three, four.

Sahib mighty good horsemen, both Sahibs.

You're all a-bleeding-sleep! Left leg over.

Do you have a hunter for rides

in the morning?

I am fond of riding.

Warsham! Bring our new friend, Newboy.

Now, this is a thoroughly useful animal.

Brother!

You stupid, drunken cad.

You've nothing but a queer upbringing

amongst cattle and bad practice.

- Rupert.

- All right.

Damn you, if you want to get shot off.

Gently.

Steady now.

Walk on, now.

Trot on.

Gently.

Xenephon's words should be painted

on every stable end:

"Horses are not taught by harshness

but by gentleness."

For classical officers like Mogg here...

...the inscription should, of course,

be in Greek.

- Mogg!

- Sir.

I will not have an officer of mine

shown up by an Indian wretch.

He made a monkey of you, sir.

- That man.

- Sir.

That man has not watered his horse.

Tell him to water his mount...

...straight off before the bridle is off

so that he cools off. Tell him!

Tell him I shall take orders from a man,

not a monkey.

"For those that wander

"They know not where

"Full of trouble and full of care

"To stay at home

"To stay at home is best"

Oh! I daresay, yes,

for a soldier, some song.

You'll have to find an appointment out of

reach of Lord Cardigan and his regiment.

He is a dangerous man.

He will see you broken, it's his practice.

- It is a fine regiment.

- Yes, it is a fine regiment.

Fanny, hello.

I promised to help her school her bob.

You must be aware of my regard for you.

Yes, of course. It would be an offence

between us if I denied it.

Looking everywhere.

- Clarissa, l...

- You won't go.

No, please pay me no attention.

It would hurt William if you were to leave.

Come here.

I don't say it lightly or easily.

Not look.

Not hear. It is not easy, Clarissa.

No.

It is the Lordship's command that only

champagne be served in the mess tonight.

Are you cosseted, young man?

I have your orders, my lord...

...to be here and eat lettuce.

I am eating lettuce. I have eaten lettuce.

What it tells, my lord,

is that as youngest officer...

...you will expect him to eat

as a rabbit does, only lettuce.

It is signed by you, my lord.

So green, boy, you have been drawn.

Not my order, you should eat lettuce...

...though perhaps it will put

some sap in your pizzle.

Does this tomfoolery make officers?

Perhaps, but it makes comrades.

Do you think we could have some Moselle,

Nolan?

- Of course. A bottle of Moselle, please.

- Thank you.

We always depend upon

being seen to do our duty.

I know if I'm up to something glorious

in the field, I insist upon being seen.

There ain't much point, otherwise.

- What color is the Russian enemy?

- Sneaky color.

Gray. Your Russian is gray,

which is why he can't be seen...

...which is why his promotion is slow.

There ain't one above a corporal

in the whole lot...

...which is why we will cut 'em up.

With a little breeding,

an Englishman can buy his advancement.

He and I are not able

to buy our advancement.

We've had to obtain it by our abilities.

No use decanting it.

You can leave it on the table.

Thank you.

Couleur de Noir.

You are drinking beer, sir, porter beer.

- No, my lord.

- Yes.

- No.

- See it.

No, my lord.

Don't you "no" me. That is a black bottle.

I assure you, my lord.

That is a black bottle,

and you are drinking porter from it.

Champagne only.

In point of fact, I asked Capt. Nolan...

- You knew that!

- I am not aware.

I am aware

you are drinking porter at my table.

Sit down, Capt. Nolan.

Sit down, Featherstonehaugh.

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