Original subtitles

DEMELZA: Friends, on behalf of Captain Poldark,

who sadly can't be with us here today,

but who have gifted this land for the building of our school,

it do give me pleasure to lay the first stone

and to ask a blessing on our mission,

which is to bring knowledge and learning to all.

ROSS: Mr Speaker...

Mr Speaker, can any here give me reason why

a loyal, high-ranking servant of the Crown

is being held, awaiting trial, without redress

in the most squalid of conditions?

Is this how we reward devotion to duty?

These accusations are demonstrably false.

Colonel Despard is a devoted patriot,

who has been grossly misused by the Crown.

(Shouts of disagreement)

ROSS: My dearest Deme/za,

my hopes of a swift release for Ned have come to naught.

Indeed, there's no prospect of release at all.

Still, I will not give up his cause without a fight.

I've petitioned Pitt, Canning, Addington.

Does no-one comprehend there's no grounds for Ned's arrest?

Captain, could it be that I've overestimated your capabilities?

Essential for a covert role is the ability to remain silent and unseen.

- Is silence appropriate in the face of...? - What is appropriate is detachment.

To be invested in an outcome or a friend

is a threat to any mission.

- A mission I never sought. - Yet you accepted the terms.

And now, when the subject has run his own head into a noose,

you continue to champion him.

Detach.

For your own sake.

Step away.

Your maiden speech in the House has not endeared you to the tender-hearted.

Despite my saying what everyone knows, that slavery is the foundation of our empire?

It's becoming less fashionable to say so.

But the success of our business dealings with Merceron and Hanson rely on it.

Yes, indeed.

The irony is I've no opinion one way or the other.

I was merely following instructions.

Good to see you, My Lord, Your Ladyship.

On the matter of Miss Hanson...

...does the connection still serve us?

It serves me to know that Ross and Despard will be brought to heel.

The girl is incidental.

Papa, you must know that I did not wish Mr Poldark to ask for my hand.

- That's very wise of you. - I told him to wait.

- Mm. - And hope I can prevail upon you...

In Honduras, do you recollect how little you saw of me?

I was building with my bare hands the foundations of our fortune.

Your fortune.

Do you think that I would consent to throw that all away

on some disgraced and penniless boy?

He was not disgraced!

You know he was falsely accused.

One day...

...you will thank me...

(She scoffs)

...for providing you with a mate that matches your station.

DEMELZA". Jeremy, Clowance, Hurry up and finish your breakfasts.

Make haste! Morwenna'll be expecting you.

Here, take an apple each.

- Can Garrick come? - No, he may not.

Prudie, coats.

Jeremy, your books. Clowance, get your shoes on, please.

- I'll take them. - No, I'd rather.

- Zacky Martin's here to see 'ee. - What?

- Morning. - Zacky.

Come in. Go through there.

Make haste, me little chibbies.

Must you be in such haste to escape?

Were it up to I, I would never leave this bed.

Nor I.

Having feared it for so long, I have much to make up for.

Five minutes?

Ten?

(They giggle)

I waited awhile, mistress, to be sure.

But now there be no doubt.

Ore comes up from the mine, is stored as we be long to do,

but when it come to be processed, only half remains.

And the rest?

- How long have you known? - Two month ago I first suspicioned.

But this past week I put men on to weighing and measuring

and now there be no doubt.

Someone's stealing our ore.

But...

...must it not be someone with a knowledge of...

...the workings and movings of the mine?

One of our own?

Sadly, yes.

"My help cometh even from the Lord...

"..who have made Heaven and Earth".

Excellent.

And thy help have indeed come from the Lord

that 'ee may do greater good for the school.

Nay, Sam, I believe it is your patience and kindness that have helped me so far.

'Ee make learning a pleasure.

Now I must tend to my flock.

'Tis lucky they are to have such a preacher.

'Tis a calling to be a servant of God.

But do 'ee not find it some lonely?

Sometimes.

And I, though my own days be full...

...do oft find that I lack someone to share them with.

Shall we read again tomorrow?

Gladly.

(He pants for breath)

Well, friend, am I not living proof of the adage

"a healthy mind in a healthy body"?

I think you've looked better.

I'd look worse were it not for my wife.

Whose acquaintance with this palace has taught her who can be bribed

in order to make my life faintly less degrading.

Most of the guards think I am a witch.

So I can threaten them with spells as well as coins.

(Man cries out in the distance)

The dulcet tones of happy inmates

helping to advance medical science.

So far, I've been spared the privilege.

Excuse me while I hex the guards into ensuring that continues.

Please do.

Guards...

The nights are long here...

...and afford one ample time for reflection.

And what do you reflect?

How I should have played the game.

Kept my head down and my mouth shut.

One way or another...

...I'll get you out of here, Colonel.

Captain.

Regarding Despard's impending trial,

Lord Ellenborough's the judge, Sir Spencer Percival the Crown.

It seems the prosecution agree that,

while the due process of law must be observed...

Hm. Trial by 12 good men.

...true justice sometimes requires a little assistance.

And in this case, the names of 100 potential jurors

have been circulated by the Crown amongst their trusted associates

in order to ascertain where their sympathies might lie.

And who has been entrusted with this selection?

Gentlemen...

Mr Merceron.

He will not be swayed.

So now we have no choice.

None.

But how shall it be managed?

Leave that to me.

I'll send word.

Hear the Crown grows weary oi Ned.

And may use this opportunity to rid itself of him once and for all.

- But he's no traitor. - By today's reckoning, he is.

Of course, Ross thinks he was simply in the wrong place

at the wrong time with the wrong people.

- And you think? - That whoever set him up has been clever.

Clearing him will be no easy matter.

(Door opens)

Well, if the Crown doesn't kill him, prison will.

Kitty's bribes may be all that saves him from being tortured.

- Is this true? - Oh, yes.

And sanctioned by governors, I'm sure.

Who can prevent them?

There might be someone who could advise me.

ROSS". I've been documenting everything

concerning Ned's predicament.

It appears the governors have turned a blind eye to his plight,

whether through negligence or in exchange for bribes.

As magistrate, is it not in your power to call the governors to account?

Perhaps you think I'd do better to petition Parliament to force the governors to act.

I would not advise it.

Let me think on it. You were right to bring it to my attention.

May I keep the records?

I think I'd prefer to retain it, sir.

As you wish.

Thank you.

(The children chatter, dog barks)

'Ee do know that if folks see us walking out together

they'll think we're courting.

I said that to Drake once.

And see how that turned out.

I shall always regret how things ended 'twixt my brother and thee.

And yet, in the end...

...maybe not.

For it may yet all turn out for the best.

Whoa...

You're a quick learner.

And you're a fine teacher.

If I dared instruct 'ee on another matter...

Rosina.

She'd make a fine wife.

Maybe I need no instructing there.

So, will 'ee ask her?

Maybe.

Preacher Came...

'Tis well met.

May I ask 'ee, be there any hope for sinners?

Surely.

Can a body learn to live a good and purer life?

Anyone can do that.

Could 'ee maybe teach me how?

But perhaps I am too great a sinner for thy God to forgive.

The Lord would say there be no such thing as a body beyond forgiveness.

His mercy be praised.

According to Joseph...

...the girl is still consorting with my brat of a stepson.

And does that distress you?

Not in the least.

The pain will be all the keener when they come to be parted.

(Locks clank)

(Cell door opens)

I had it cleaned and mended.

Oh-oh...

I hope it still fits.

I think Erskine an excellent man.

- He got Hadfield acquitted. - And Hadfield shot the King.

So...

...tomorrow, you'll be home for supper.

Shall we have beef?

Guinea fowl.

And four bottles of Canary.

Followed by a gavotte.

(They giggle)

GEORGE: A small, private ceremony.

I've scarce been widowed two years.

A grand affair would be vulgar and ostentatious.

As you wish.

I'll leave you to communicate arrangements to the happy bride.

Cecily!

Prepare yourself. It will be the day after tomorrow.

- Captain Poldark. - How are we feeling?

Get up.

Turn around. Arms behind your back.

A useful part of a gentlemen's education, to see a traitor condemned.

Especially such a tiresome one.

All rise.

Gentlemen of the jury, we see before us today

one of the most heinous traitors this country has ever known.

Edward Despard was present at an illegal political meeting.

His fellow conspirators,

including disaffected members of the armed services,

had illegal oaths in their pockets.

They were plotting nothing less than the cold-blooded murder of the King.

- No! - Shame!

How would they achieve this?

By turning a ceremonial cannon on His Majesty's carriage

as he passed on his way to the House of Commons.

And the ultimate aim of this act of terror?

To signal the start of a revolt to overthrow the Government and Crown

and to establish a republic to emulate that of France.

(Agitated muttering)

Outrageous!

He'll be laughed out of court.

- There's not one ounce of proof. - No doubt.

JUDGE: Order! Order!

Sir...

CECILY: My love, we must act immediately or we are lost.

PERCEVAL". What other explanation could there be

for a gentleman of the prisoner's standing

to be consorting with the rags and tatters of society?

Perhaps he did not consider them as "rags and tatters".

Did he have a motive for regicide?

This is nonsense. You have to do something.

How credible is it that a handful of "rags and tatters"

would seriously believe they could overthrow the Government and Crown

and single-handedly establish a republic?

More to the point, is it likely that an experienced

and highly-decorated Army colonel would share that delusion?

I invite you to consider not how improbable its success appears to you,

but how probable its success might appear to them...

An English revolt?

...headed by the man who had already led a revolution in Honduras

by making convicts, rebels and slaves the equal of their masters.

I keep thinking how it must be for Kitty...

...and for Ross.

I dearly wish I was there.

But what with this theft at the mine...

Well, here's where you're needed, sister.

Especially with such finaglings afoot.

DEMELZA: He needs watching.

I'll go.

You have my forks fettled in time for supper.

Would you, sir, please state your name to the court.

John Stafford.

I never saw him in the Oakley Arms.

I doubt many of these witnesses were ever there.

- So they perjure themselves. - For a price, I imagine.

"The King is our enemy."

And how many times did you hear him say this phrase?

- Multiple times. - Multiple times. Thank you very much.

PERCEV AL". And what were the precise words

you heard the defendant speak in the Oakley Arms?

He said that we should "kill the King".

- How do we refute this? - We don't.

- How often did you hear him say this? - Enough of this.

- On numerous occasions. - Call me to the stand!

(Commotion in the court)

MAN: Over there! Someone's watching us!

Clem, Ruben, get her!

Leave it where it is!

- You will not take the stand. - That's absurd.

Who better to speak for myself than I?

Someone who can say of you what you cannot say yourself.

I served with Colonel Despard in the American War.

And even though it was a war that we lost,

his commitment towards his country and fellow soldiers never wavered.

NED: If you lose this one, you'll have me to answer to.

Stitch him up, Enys. This war's not over yet.

ROSS: After the war had ended and I had returned home...

...he continued to the Spanish Main

to fight alongside Horatio Nelson.

As a young officer in Jamaica,

he dug ditches, built fortifications,

risked his life countless times in battle.

In the disease-riddled swamps of Honduras,

he learnt that survival...

...depended upon working with...

...the so-called "rags and tatters" of society,

native Indians, convicts, slaves.

Giving to all,

regardless of sex, colour, class or creed,

the right to have a say.

He asked the question...

...should nations be ruled by force...

...by an elite...

...or by consent?

Everything he has ever done has been in the service of the Crown.

To suggest now that he seeks to murder his sovereign

and overthrow the nation, for which he has laboured unswervingly,

is, frankly, risible.

He is a patriot of the highest order

and the Crown should honour him,

instead of attempting to cover up its mistreatment of him

by inventing crimes he did not commit.

(Commotion in the court)

We need to get Dwight Enys on the stand.

I suppose it's worth a try.

- And were ye recognised? - I don't think so.

I was too far away.

Let's round up a passel of men and head straight for Jacka's.

Nay, I think we should wait. We've still no clue what them up to.

Whether it is our ore they're shipping away.

What else could it be?

I've no wish to confront them without just cause.

'Tis better to watch and wait.

- And catch them in the act. - Agreed.

So, we give them no sign we suspect them.

And especially not that one.

That's if she's involved. And, so far, there's no proof of it.

I served with Colonel Despard as Army surgeon during the American War.

During that campaign he sustained a number of serious head injuries.

Subsequent tropical fevers and further cerebral wounds,

all sustained in the service of the Crown, have taken their toll...

...and I believe that permanent and irreversible brain damage has occurred.

As in the case of James Hadfield,

the true character of insanity reveals itself not as wild frenzy or raving madness...

...but as delusion.

There is no doubt in my mind that Colonel Despard is delusional.

His actions,

his speech,

his view of himself and his place in the world

clearly indicate that he is not of sound mind.

I therefore ask the court to release him

and allow him to receive the humane treatment appropriate to his condition,

which I will personally undertake to supervise.

(Commotion in the court)

All rise.

- Let's hope we're in for a lengthy wait. - Yes.

The longer they argue, the better chance of acquittal.

(Knock on the door)

GEOFFREY CHARLES: My dearest Cecily, we leave tonight.

He has arranged it.

Already? They took barely ten minutes.

I know. It's a surprise to me.

- Excellent. - Why?

It means the jury agreed without arguing.

What did they agree?

- What should they have agreed? - Uncle Ross's friend should go free.

"Uncle Ross"?

He's no relation of yours, boy.

All rise.

Have you reached a verdict?

We have, My Lord.

Do you find the defendant guilty or not guilty?

We find him guilty, My Lord.

(Gasps)

My Lord, we do earnestly recommend the prisoner to mercy,

on account of the high testimonials

to his former good character and eminent services.

It was not enough.

Does the prisoner wish to make a final statement?

Innocence is its own statement, My Lord.

It now remains for me to pronounce...

...the dreadful sentence of the law, which is...

...that you be taken to a place of execution,

there to be hanged by the neck,

but not until you are dead.

Then to be cut down and your bowels taken out

and cast into the fire before your face,

your head to be taken off

and your body quartered.

All rise.

I'm amazed.

Such a sentence has never been pronounced in 50 years.

Can we not appeal?

I regret there's nothing more we can do for him.

Break him from the jail?

I'll need you to get me into the prison in the first place.

I am known and always watched like a hawk. Whereas you...

Caroline, help me knock some sense into him.

Dr Enys will do whatever is required.

Caroline, are you mad?

Because Dr Enys recollects that he himself has been the beneficiary of such an escape.

Do you really compare the two?

I was a prisoner of war, captured in the service of my country.

Kitty, you must pack.

Ross will find you somewhere to hide till you get a safe passage to Jamaica.

Very well, I will join you,

to make sure he doesn't break more heads than he needs to.

You're insane.

(Banging on the door)

- Yeah? - Dr Ransome to see the prisoner Despard.

- Who? - The man sentenced to hang tomorrow.

He's been taken ill and I'm ordered to attend on him.

Careful with that bag, fool.

Drop it again and I'll have you horsewhipped.

A small token for your pains.

A friend of yours sends a message.

Kitty.

You know Kitty?

Asks if you would kindly leave the door open in exchange for these.

Don't stand there idling. The guards change at midnight.

- The guards? - Kitty has drawn us a map.

It's basic, but it gives an idea.

We have ten minutes to reach the outside before a new patrol comes past.

- You're breaking me out? - You thought this was a social call?

- You are both magnificent. - We are.

- Dwight, however, will not be joining us. - What?

He'll return to the main gate, say he's attended the prisoner, then leave.

- Absolutely not. - This is purely pragmatic.

If one guard has told another guard that a physician is here,

that physician must be seen to leave.

- It will give Ned and I more time to escape. - Very well.

But first...

Well, then, you madman...

...best of luck.

Shall we?

Goodnight, Dr Ransome.

Goodnight.

Shall we breakfast together before the execution?

Er, no. I have another engagement.

Ah, yes. That one.

Hopefully not as bloody.

(Joseph laugh$)

Do we break the journey?

Only to eat and change horses.

So we will not lie together till we reach Gretna Green?

We will not lie together till we are man and wife.

(Gunshots, horses neigh)

Lord, save us!

- Is it highwaymen? - MAN: Open the door.

Quick.

According to Kitty's map, this leads directly to the cellars.

The sewers.

Not my ideal mode of exit, but beggars can't be choosers.

This one can.

- And he chooses to stay. - What?

The moment I'm missed, where do you think they'll look?

- I've already arranged for a safe house. - Here, in London.

But what about Cornwall? Do you think they won't come for your wife, your children?

- They cannot prove it was I. - (He scoffs)

Who else would be mad enough?

My friend...

...a soldier must know when to retreat.

No, no. No, Ned. Not this time.

Not when we've come this far.

Have you ever seen me weep?

No.

In court today, I did.

Not when I heard the verdict.

But when I heard my friend describe who he thought was me.

But he was describing more than me.

He was describing an ideal.

And he was describing himself.

You are everything I have sought to be.

But better.

A soldier...

...but also a statesman.

You will make the world a stronger, fairer, wiser place.

(A distant door slams)

So, leave me here.

Go and finish what I could not.

Get up.

(He sighs)

God Almighty, can a man not sleep in peace on the eve of his execution?

Can you not sleep, Mama?

Too many thoughts keep me awake.

Shall I sing for you?

Would you?

♪ When the moon is on the sea

♪ Kosk yn tar

♪ Kosk yn tar

♪ Silver pilchards caught to thee

♪ Kosk yn, kosk yn tar... X

(Bell tolls)

Uncle Cary said I am to have a new mama.

That's not true.

No-one can replace your mama.

For either of us.

Will it do, do you think?

I think it Will.

(Bell tolls)

Come...

Let me look at you.

That first day you arrived at the Bay, you had a button loose.

I asked you to mend it.

And afterwards, you asked me what you could do for me in return.

(He chuckles)

And you laughed and said...

"..Mend the world."

I fear that's too great a task.

But you did mend the world.

(She holds back a sob)

For so many of us.

And for me especially.

And now I must quit the world...

...wishing I could leave you a better legacy.

But you have left me the best.

Here...

(He gasps)

Oh!

Oh!

(Bell tolls)

Sir, your daughter is blameless.

- This was my idea and I fully accept... - Not true.

I suggested it and Mr Poldark was merely the agent of my...

Why do some people fail to understand where their best interests lie?

Why is he here?

I thought he might appreciate the spectacle.

Let us hope so.

Why the despair?

Miss Hanson is not altogether lost to you.

As wife to me, she will, in effect, be your stepmother.

(He chuckles)

Shall we begin?

Did my mother ever tell you why she married you?

My father died with debts

and there you were, throwing your guineas at her feet.

But her heart belonged to one man only.

It wasn't my father and it wasn't you.

Brave effort.

It almost worked.

Let us proceed.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today...

Would you like a blessing, my son?

No, thank you, Father.

If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully married...

...speak now or forever hold your peace.

I wish to declare...

...that it's barely a day since..

...I gave myself, body and soul, to Geoffrey Charles Francis Poldark.

So, if you wed her...

...you will always wonder, is her first child mine or yours?

You will live to regret this, my dear.

And so will he.

(Church door closes)

My Lord...

...may I have your permission to address the people?

Fellow citizens...

...I come here, having served my country faithfully for 30 years,

to suffer death for a crime I did not commit.

His Majesty's Ministers know I'm innocent...

...yet they choose to destroy a man

because he's been a friend to truth, liberty and justice.

(Shouts of support)

Nonetheless...

...I hope that falsehood, greed and tyranny will be vanquished...

...and this nation...

...which I have loved...

...will one day be a beacon of democracy...

...freedom, justice...

...and humanity.

MAN: Reprieve!

(Crowd shouts in agreement)

Shall we have rain, do you think?

Dear God, could he be pardoned?

The Prime Minister has seen fit...

...to remit part of the sentence.

To wit...

...the taking out and the burning of the bowels,

the dividing of the body into four parts,

and the beheading.

The prisoner...

...will hang.

(She cries out)

It could be argued you had a narrow escape.

A more pliable female might better suit.

There will be no other female.

(Cell door clangs shut)

So, justice has been done.

- Has it? - And hell awaits.

I imagine he'll find it an improvement on this place.

Oh, ltrust not. The governor has his reputation to consider.

- The governor should be strung up. - Do you think?

Oh, were you not aware?

The governor of this prison...

...is I.

- This will be your world for the next month. - And then?

We'll travel to Honduras.

(Key turns in the lock)

(Lock rattles)

"Heaven and...

"..Earth."

I never knowed a quicker learner.

We all know her game.

Sam thinks, if there's a soul to be saved, then he must save it.

Even if it's wicked?

- Especially if it's wicked. - And that one is.

And I took a long time learning it.

So has she.

Though, 'tis maybe not my place to say.

Demelza...

Ross).!

You've no idea how glad I am to be home.

Judas, I never thought that...

Oh, poor Ned.

Poor Kitty.

And you...

...what do it mean for you that your friend was declared a traitor?

- Will your good name suffer? - Do I care?

Well...

...not now, perhaps, but...

If I never see London again it'll be too soon.

Did you weep...

...when he died?

What good would it have done?

You should not stopper up tears, Ross.

You should weep for him.

For the better part of him.

And the better part of you.

I'll walk on and lay the table for supper.

(He sobs)

MY lOve'_>?

(Loud thump)

Compliments of Mr Merceron.

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