Original subtitles

PRUDIE: ♪ The old grey duck, she stole her nest

♪ And laid up in the fields THOLLY: ♪ ..in the fields

PRUDIE: ♪ And when the young ones, they came forth

♪ They had no tails nor bills

♪ They had no tails, nor bills... - What's that, out there?

- What'?

PRUDIE: Be they ours?

French.

Lord, save us.

PRUDIE: Attack. Attack!

The Frenchies are coming! Ring a bell! The Frenchies are coming!

- Attack! The Frenchies are coming! - (Bell clangs)

The Frenchies are coming!

- The Frenchies are coming! - (Panicked shouting)

(Church bell ringing)

(Shouting and bell ringing)

The Frenchies are coming! They're coming!

The Frenchies are coming...

(Excited chatter)

(Crowd falls silent)

(Muttering)

PRUDIE: Where have they gone? - They'll be spying out our defences.

But...they'll be back.

SIR FRANCIS: This threat from the French cannot be ignored.

Cornwall is woefully unprepared for an enemy which is now at our door.

Those men with military experience

will form and train companies of volunteers

to quell threat and disorder wherever it appears.

When the hour comes - and come it will -

we must not be found wanting.

(Muttering)

Truro is a key location.

(Low chatter)

HUGH: "If she, whom I desire, would stoop to love me,

I would come hand in hand and, kneeling,

ask that she kindly receive me...

...and deign to understand

that all I have is hers, forever and a day.

Press but her lips to mine...

...and never let love decay."

ROSS: You should not be here alone.

The French have been sighted. There's rumours of invasion.

No doubt you'll take up the flag and lead the charge against them.

And become a leader of men.

I happen to agree with Sir Francis.

I've seen what chaos revolution brings and I do not wish that on Cornwall.

GEOFFREY CHARLES: I intend to visit Drake, Mama.

My love, as you know, I've no objection to your visiting Mr Came.

He has a respectable trade and you seem fond of him.

But delay awhile. Uncle George returns from Westminster today

and I know he'd wish us to spend some time with him.

(Steam hisses)

(Hammering)

- (He giggles) - Yes.

Remember what we agreed, my love. Uncle George...

ls a kind and generous man, who only wishes to be a good father to me.

- Even though what he did to Drake was... - Was wrong and I'm sure he regrets it.

But if you and he quarrel, it will distress me beyond words.

For your sake, Mama, I'll be civil.

The old smithy on the edge of Trenwith land - who owns it now?

I believe Ross purchased it for his brother-in-law.

And very splendid it is.

You permit him to visit?

Yes. That was my decision.

What harm can it do?

Morwenna is wed. Geoffrey Charles will soon return to school.

How is Drake Came in any way a threat?

The smithy is adjacent to my land. It's deliberate provocation by Ross.

My dear, must we forever be imagining some Trenwith-Nampara feud?

I doubt Ross wastes a moment thinking of us,

so I suggest we do likewise.

I trust you've suffered... no insolence from him since I left?

I can't remember the last time I saw him.

Come, my dear, you must be weary from your journey.

I am, indeed.

It's good to be home.

It is not his home!

It's a Poldark house and he is a usurper.

Let him be, Master Geoffrey. He can't touch you here.

No, he cannot. Mama says I may visit and I shall do so every day.

Drake Came has had the impudence to set up shop on my boundary.

Tonight, you'll begin to show him how unwise that was.

You will find ways of ensuring his residence there is of short duration.

Rely on me, sir.

Good boy.

(Tapping)

DWIGHT: Following my last visit, I'm pleased to say,

- Mrs Whitworth continues to improve. OSSIE: Ah, yes, indeed. God be praised.

Though I would recommend... a further period of abstinence.

- Of course. - I'm relieved to hear you say so.

But if I might suggest, some more of that helpful tincture,

to ensure her rest is undisturbed.

If Mrs Whitworth has no objection?

As you wish.

My dear, why not rest awhile,

before you enjoy my first sermon at Sawle Church this afternoon?

I will bring you your sedative.

That's kind of you, Ossie.

Mm.

(Muffled grunts and cries of pleasure)

So, I'm thinking of moving the family home to London.

Why?

If the French invade, there's no telling how this house or our bank,

or our grain stores, might be ransacked.

We must protect ourselves.

Whilst abandoning our tenants and servants?

Every man for himself.

I suspect Sir Francis might disagree with you.

Present your firelocks!

Order your firelocks!

Couldn't pay me to enlist. You're naught but a puppet.

Gentlemen, you have responded to the call to maintain order and defend your country.

You are under my command. You will obey my orders.

If you find this unacceptable... now is the moment to depart.

GEORGE: Ross Poldark.

I must ask you, is he the right man?

In view of his recklessness, lawlessness, previous contempt for authority.

He is the authority.

And what is his remit?

To quell threat and disorder wherever it appears.

And can he be trusted to carry out your instructions?

More to the point, can you?

In your first term at Westminster, you voted against a bid

to increase the legal rights of commoners.

You have challenged all proposals for lowering interest rates

and opposed a bill for enforcing a fixed price for grain.

- I'm voting according to my conscience. - You have ignored our explicit agreement!

Meanwhile, you conspire with other grain merchants to keep prices high,

despite the failed harvest and recent rioting.

If unrest should again rear its ugly head,

it is comforting to know that a hero is on hand to save us.

OSSIE: And finally, Lord, thank you for granting your humble servant

the living of St Sawle.

Further parishes would be most gratefully received.

Amen.

Vicar, I have some disquieting news.

I'm with child.

(She sobs)

I waited and waited to be sure there's no mistake.

There is no mistake.

- Dear God. - What shall we do?

- "We"? - Perhaps I should run away.

- Might you? - No, you're right.

We must face this together.

I came to report, sir.

Spare me the details. ls the matter handled?

Well and truly, sir.

That's all I need to know.

Drake!

Must have happened in the night.

- Judas! Who would do such a thing? - Nay, it is not all.

This day already, four folks sent word

saying they'd not be needing my services more.

Yet, I must carry on.

Nay, your work is good, your price fair. You've made no enemies.

I bet it's George. Up to his old tricks again, getting at Drake to get at you.

George is a Member of Parliament.

He could hardly risk his reputation by harassing a lowly blacksmith.

And, besides, Elizabeth would never permit such behaviour.

- You know that for a fact? - I know Elizabeth.

Shall I answer as a friend, or a physician?

Which will tell me what I most want to hear?

There is no kindness in giving false hope.

So I must surrender?

My vision and...

...my heart's desire?

The latter you never possessed, nor ever could.

So, what do you prescribe, my friend?

Acceptance.

(Door closes)

Satisfied, are 'ee?

I could wish my rum was less depleted.

Stand by, hm, while high and mighty set their ruffians on the meek?

If it is George, confrontation and aggression is fruitless.

He will deny it and we have no proof.

All we can hope is he will soon become bored

and find some other innocent to torment.

Is that what we hope? Some other victim so we can say, “Naught to do with we."

Demelza, this week there were three French ships on the horizon.

I may soon have a real battle to fight.

Spare me this one.

I think, Vicar, I may have found a solution.

If I were to marry someone else.

There is a young man - of course, he does not know of my condition.

Perhaps he would utterly spurn me if he did.

- Who is this person? - Arthur Solway, from the library.

- Have you been intimate with him? - Oh, Vicar, how could you think so?

Then, how can you think he will marry you?

Because he asked me last week.

Ah.

- And he is quite unaware... - Quite unaware.

- If you marry him, he never need know. - Of course, he must know.

I'm amazed you would even suggest that I lie.

Obviously, I will not tell him whose child it is.

Might he agree?

I think he could be persuaded.

With the right inducement.

£1,000.

Rowella, escort this person from my house and see that he never returns.

(She pretends to sob)

Do you not think if even the likes of Tholly grow discontent

and then find they must speak out...

Tholly loves the sound of his own voice.

If you do not challenge the corrupt and unjust,

then commoners will rise and then you'll be powerless to help them.

What would you have me do?

I'd have you step up.

I'd have you be great. I'd have you declare what you stand for.

You would have me pontificate and play the hero

and make some grand dramatic gesture.

I am not that man, Demelza. I've never been that man.

And if that's what you seek... I suggest you look elsewhere.

(Nib scraping against paper)

(Horse whinnying)

(Structure creaking)

(Birdsong)

Mama, may I beg a favour?

What is it, my sweet?

Will you hear what my friend has to say?

(Scoffs) A petition from the people of Grambler, Sawle and Mellin.

Will I sell them grain at 30 shillings a bushel?

(Laughs) Are they mad?

Do they not realise my family has a business to run, expenses to cover?

If the people of Grambler, Sawle and Mellin cannot afford it,

we will sell it to those who can.

If the landing happens here,

we need to evacuate the cottages close to the shore

and get the tenants out of harm's way.

If need be, we have the farm at Mellin to house...

ZACKY: Ross, we have a visitor.

A natural leader.

- What fool told you that? - Daring, resourceful, courageous.

Courage is often confused with having nothing to lose.

We have much to lose here if the French descend.

And if they do, I trust we will rise to the occasion.

That is my hope, too.

Yet, as we both know, sometimes when occasion beckons,

the chalice is offered and declined.

Sometimes the chalice is poisoned.

One never knows, until one tries.

My second choice of candidate had no such scruples.

- George is a first-rate politician. - I doubt you mean that as a compliment.

Yet the event often proves the worth of the man.

Cometh the hour.

Are you suggesting that this persecution is the work of our servants?

Sorry to say so, ma'am. And I know it must be unbeknown to you.

To me? Are you saying it is known to Mr Warleggan?

I can't say that, ma'am.

All I do know is Tom Harry have threatened my customers,

breaked my forge and set light to my workshop.

What is this man doing here?

- He asked to speak to me and... - Get out of my house.

I meant no offence, ma'am.

- None has been taken. - Now! Before I have you thrown out.

- Why was that upstart here? - To ask me to intervene on his behalf.

Intervene?

Is it true that you've been attempting to drive him from his forge?

His presence there is a deliberate affront by Ross.

And that justifies this harassment?

Wrecking a man's workshop, threatening his customers?

Good God, I know no details. I leave the minutiae to Tom Harry.

If the details are beneath you,

is not also the intimidation of a young man,

whose only crime is to be related to Ross Poldark?

Drake Came defied me.

He brought toads to our pond. Whatever Tom saw fit to do...

Tom Harry is a brute and I want him dismissed.

I want no trouble.

You should have thought about that before you came trespassing on private property.

I aren't trespassing. I came to speak to Mrs Warleggan.

Do we believe him? (Chuckles)

All right, lads.

Scat him up.

Tom!

Let's hope your blessed toads come save 'ee.

I took the liberty, Vicar, of visiting Arthur,

to see if he would be willing to accept a smaller sum.

And?

In consideration of the very great sacrifice I would be making...

to my principles, to my reputation...

...the very least I could accept is £700.

I've pleaded with him, Vicar, but he says there are things I do not understand.

- We will need a cottage. - With furnishings.

And a garden.

Perhaps you'd like a carriage, too, and several footmen?

This is extortion of the grossest kind. Get out!

(He groans)

- I remember when I first saw you do that. - A lifetime ago.

I saw you go from raw ensign and scourge of authority

to able young captain.

You'll also recall how I earned that promotion

by being the last man standing after the ambush at James Creek.

One thing remains consistent - your propensity for self-deprecation.

You're principled and high minded, but sometimes,

in order to effect change, hands must be dirtied.

(Seagulls crying)

(He mutters)

Forgive me, Vicar. I wish to let you know that I've written to the Bishop.

I've asked him to pray for me.

You haven't told him about your condition?

He will never believe you. He will think you an hysterical child.

I've also mentioned the mole you have on your left buttock,

shaped like a pig's tail. It is very distinctive.

I've drawn it for him.

You are the most...evil...

I think, Vicar, that Arthur would be willing for me to give you this letter...

...in exchange for £500.

(He stifles a groan)

(Whispers) You should never have let him go.

It was but a courtesy call, he said.

Drake!

- (She groans) Dear God! - Is he dead?

He's breathing. He's still breathing! Get help!

Go to Killewarren and fetch Dwight.

(He groans)

You're lucky to be alive.

Who did this?

Can't rightly say. Never see'd their faces.

It was George's brutes. Who else would it be?

Then there'll be no recourse. George will deny all knowledge.

And who can challenge him?

(Drake coughs)

Must we truly stand by, while the rich and mighty ride roughshod across we?

(Murmuring)

I don't believe God means for I to do it.

Nor I, lad.

To see a young tacker basted to within an inch of his life.

And none called to answer for it.

And Warleggan a Member of Parliament.

All the more reason for him and his enterprises to be held to account.

(Murmurs of agreement)

'Tis time...

- ...to hit him where it hurts. - (Murmurs of agreement)

(Birdsong)

When shall we go to London?

Go when you please.

You cannot still be angry... because of the incident with the boy.

- You surely don't suggest... - That we're incompatible?

That our marriage is foundering on suspicion and jealousy?

That your objection to the boy is really your hatred of Ross?

- I wondered when that name would occur. - Are you not jealous of him?

Is suspicion not eating you up? Poisoning your family life?

Turning your achievements to bitterness and gall?

There can be no future for our marriage, if that is the case.

(Door slams)

Make haste, quiet about it.

That's it. Heave. One, two, three, heave!

Make fast.

Secure it at the back. Quick about it. Quick about it.

Ready? And heave!

Oh, maid, come home. There's a visitor.

I can't now. Drake needs me.

Begging your pardon. It is one I b'la you wish to see.

I can stay and make myself useful.

No, it isn't right, Prudie.

How oft do the men take a fancy to another woman and sometimes act on it?

I would never. It would break Ross's heart.

No, I must give up all thoughts of him.

As Ross gave up all thought of Elizabeth for me.

Did he?

Are you sure?

I only tell you of it for you know it means naught.

- It is but a dalliance. - A dalliance?

So...

'ee may have one of your own, without troubling your conscience.

Go home, Prudie.

(Coos)

Well, my dear...

I trust you are feeling rested and ready to resume your...

No, Ossie.

My dear, I think you forget yourself.

I come in all friendliness, intending to give the natural...

I said no.

You will leave this room

and never return.

Can I believe my ears?

Are you so wilful, so headstrong, so...

Blind? No.

Nor half-witted neither.

My sister is with child.

Your child.

Despite your attempts to sedate me, I have not been deaf all of the time.

You must realise it was not my fault.

That girl has some evil in her which makes a man possessed.

But now, by the grace of God, I have returned to you,

so let us pray together and then... happily resume our marriage.

Never.

You have no right to deny me.

I am your husband and you will do as I command.

I will kill your son!

So help me, God, if you do so much as approach me again, I will smother him.

- Merciful heaven. - You don't believe I'll do it.

Do you really want to take that chance?

You've been ill, Mon/venna...

...and I have no wish to see you relapse.

I will leave you...

...to think over your duty to me.

I will pray to our Lord to grant you forgiveness.

(Baby cries)

I didn't mean it. Of course I didn't mean it.

- But Drake be no harm to anyone. - It beggars belief.

Had he been found an hour later...

Of course, Demelza asked me not to tell you.

She's afraid of what I might do to George.

- As well she may be. - Will you go to Trenwith?

This instant.

(Shooting practice continues)

What is it?

- Is it Drake? - Agatha's grave.

- Need we discuss that now? - Things you need to attend to?

What things?

None that need concern you.

That's convenient, Ross.

No concern of mine who you meet, who you talk to,

who you kiss.

It is not what you imagine.

Ross, I am weary of it. Secret kisses, secret smiles.

How many other secrets must there be between us?

Keep them, Ross. Keep them all.

And I will keep mine.

Demelza.

Urgent word from Truro, Captain.

What is it? The French?

The peace and safety of our country is threatened.

We're ordered to the northern road. We must mobilise at once!

Well...

Can I make it any plainer?

I abandoned my squadron in the middle of a war...

...to throw myself at your feet.

Is there a more extravagant way I could declare my love?

A longer poem would have sufficed.

Not for me.

Shall we walk to Hendrawna Sands?

May Hake your hand'?

What if someone should see?

I will tell them that I need you to guide me.

And very soon it will be true.

I've been discharged from the Navy.

For what?

In six months' time, I'll be completely blind.

HUGH: I do not presume to compare myself to Ross.

He's a great man. My saviour and friend.

But you are...

His wife.

- And mother of his children. - And I've no wish to threaten that.

I would not allow it.

Your head might not.

But would your heart?

HUGH: It is to the heart to which I now appeal

and that part which, dare I say it,

has been neglected.

Can you allow me this?

Shall we grant ourselves to each other...

...so that I may go into the darkness...

knowing that I... I once tasted heaven?

(Cart rattling)

(Shouting and rowdy chatter)

THOLLY: We're here for the grain. Stand aside.

Take them home, Tholly.

Your father would turn in his grave,

his own son changing sides, pandering to the pomp and privileged.

When the French arrive, you may wish to be elsewhere.

THOLLY: There be no French. Only threat to us here is thee.

Will 'ee not take a stand with us, brother?

Will 'ee not show where thy loyalties lie?

ROSS: You know where this leads, Tholly.

Bloodshed. Riot. We've both seen it.

So go now and no harm will come to you!

Folks is starving.

You know who this grain store belong to?

The man who battered thine own kin - George Warleggan.

Warleggan do think he's above the law!

MOB: Aye!

It's not thy duty to hold him to account?

My duty is to king and country

and I will do whatever it takes to keep the peace.

You have until the count of ten to disperse.

Or what, young captain?

Or...what?

Is this what they brought 'ee to?

'Ee is so enthralled with the establishment...

...you'd subdue by force your old comrades and friends?

ROSS: You leave me no choice.

One, two...

...three, four...

...five, six...

...seven, eight...

...nine...

...ten.

SIR FRANCIS: Terror, bloodshed. That is not democracy, that is vengeance.

ROSS: I do not endorse bloodshed.

Demelza, I have never been that man.

DEMELZA: If you do not challenge the corrupt and unjust,

then commoners will rise.

THOLLY: You'd subdue by force your old comrades and friends?

DEMELZA: Judas! - (Screaming)

You're right, my friend.

Of course, I've changed sides.

I'm not here to defend my country,

but to protect the property of my good friend, George,

who would like nothing better than for me to pick up arms against you.

But the time has come to take a stand against him.

But not just here...

...but in the corridors of Westminster.

That much is clear now.

So the next time I'm asked to stand for public office...

...can you imagine what my answer will be?

THOLLY: Good lad.

Elizabeth. I must...

Are you saying that my doubts, my suspicions,

are completely unfounded?

Name them and I will tell you.

L...believe...

I believe that you...

still love Ross.

No, George. That is not all you believe.

- Is it not enough? - More than enough.

No doubt it's why you set your creatures to follow me day and night,

but that is not all, is it?

Is it?

Ah, I... I will...dismiss Tom Harry.

I will repair the boy's smithy at my own expense.

Tell me why you treat your son as if he were not your son.

Is he my son?

Who else's could he be?

Now you see how jealousy is eating you up?

I cannot abide it.

I will not abide it.

No, no, Elizabeth, please. I...

I swear that I have never given myself to another man,

except my first husband, Francis, and you.

But, of course, even that will not satisfy you.

So I will leave Trenwith today, taking Geoffrey Charles and Valentine.

No, no, Elizabeth, wait, I beg you.

Perhaps I was...

Perhaps... Perhaps I was too hasty.

As you say, there have been suspicions - unfounded, clearly unjust.

I've been misguided

and yet...you must see that this is only a reflection of my regard,

of my love, of my very great love.

Is love cruel?

Is love unkind?

Is your bitter bile coldness towards me and your son...

It will cease, from this moment.

So will my jealousy, so my suspicions.

Swear it.

Wave sworn, so must you.

You will never again speak or even harbour such vile suspicions

about your wife and child.

I will not. I swear it.

I will never...never again.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

I forgive you.

Is Westminster ready for Ross Poldark?

Ready or not, change is long overdue.

When next it's offered, I believe he'll accept.

I have some changes of my own I'd like to propose.

Do they involve less patients, less training with the volunteers?

And, in their place, more kisses, more bonbons and more lying abed.

- Bonbons are bad for the health. - But kisses are the cure for everything.

(Growls softly)

(Birdsong)

(Door opens and closes)

(Footsteps)

- Where's Demelza? - Out.

Where?

She didn't say.

Alone?

Had a visitor.

Is she coming back?

Expect so.

She didn't say.

(Birdsong)

Thought I would die today.

I, too.

But when I did not, I began to think

life has some purpose that I knowed not till now.

Why think you so?

For this day, I found green shoots coming up, out of season.

And what shoots they be?

Winter primroses.

(He laughs)

Well, Ross...

My compliments to the volunteers. I believe they were put to good use today.

Oh, did you think you were being summoned to fight the Frenchies?

No, it seems Tom Harry got the better of you.

A little nudge and your muskets protect my grain store.

But you humble foot soldiers must go where your betters decree, I believe.

And what else do you believe, George?

I believe I have every reason for optimism.

I believe I have a devoted wife, a thriving son, a fine estate

and a parliamentary career which has barely begun.

What is it you believe, Ross?

That belief is a beautiful thing.

(Birdsong outside)

(Knocking)

Wherever you are...

...know that I love you.

(Snoring)

(Door opens)

(Door closes)

I thought you might not return.

I thought so, too.

Yet here I am.

Demelza.

- May I ask? - No, Ross.

Ask me nothing.