Sharpe TV series

Arthur Wellesley: Im much obliged to you. Youve done me a damn good turn. Now Im going to do you a damn bad one. Im giving you a field commission, Sharpe. As of now youre a lieutenant in the 95th!

Harper: Huh. You comin up from the ranks, I thought you woulda known. There are two kinds of officers, sir: killin officers and murderin officers. Killin officers are poor old buggers that get you killed by mistake. Murderin officers are mad, bad, old buggers that get you killed on purpose - for a country, for a religion, maybe even for a flag. You see that Major Hogan, sir? Thats what I call a murderin officer.

— Sharpe TV series religion

Hogan: Wellesleys gonna take the army into Spain. Itll be bugles, battles and bags of glory. Stick with me, Richard, Ill see you right.

— Sharpe TV series pain

Wellesley: reads over Hogans shoulder These many, then, shall die. Their names are pricked. By God, Hogan, you may be sure my name is well-pricked by those needles at Horse Guards.

— Sharpe TV series god

Hogan: A general who wins battles and lives to claim the credit will never lack for enemies in London, sir.

— Sharpe TV series live

Captain Leroy: Speaking as a Virginian, sir, I must say as how I dont hold with flogging white men, sir.

— Sharpe TV series men

Colonel Simmerson: My dear Captain Leroy. You may be a loyalist, but you are still an American; you do not know the British soldier, sir. He is a brute beast in a red coat, he needs the lash!

— Sharpe TV series ya

Gibbons: Major Hogan! I have been struck, by a common soldier! I believe the penalty for striking an officer is death.

— Sharpe TV series death

Gibbons: What, the ragamuffin that jumped from the ranks? By God, sir, Ill teach him to touch a gentleman. Ill call him out, sir. Ill see him at dawn.

— Sharpe TV series god

Hogan: A duel? Oh, give me your hand, sir! Youve a brave fellow, Gibbons. Sharpes a killer. Killed three French cavalrymen and saved Wellesleys life. Three seconds, slash, cut, thrust. And thats while he was still a Sergeant. Shall we say six oclock tomorrow morning in the field behind the camp?

— Sharpe TV series life

Hogan: Good thinking, Gibbons. Sharpe wouldve shot out your left eye at a minute past six, and you wouldve spent all day tomorrow looking up at nothing with the other.

— Sharpe TV series past

Major Lennox: Sharpe isnt it? Made a name for yourself in India. Battle of Assaye, if I recall. I was there myself with the 78th.

— Sharpe TV series self

Sharpe: I saw the 78th advance at Assaye. Man who made a name for himself that day was a major of the 78th. Man by the name of Lennox.

— Sharpe TV series self

Sir Henry Simmerson: Wellesley, ha! Wellesley dont know what makes a good soldier! Not many do. Do you know what makes a good soldier Mister Sharpe?

— Sharpe TV series man

Hogan: Youve lost the colours, Sir. The kings own colours, touched by his own hand. Take my advice, and a pistol, and go behind that tent, and blow out whats left of your brains.

— Sharpe TV series advice

Sharpe: At a place called Assaye I saw a whole army ready to turn and run. Then a Major of the 78th took a step to his front and steadied the line. Major Lennox.

— Sharpe TV series read

Wellesley: Major Hogans coat buttons up tight over a number of other duties, Sir Henry. Major Hogan reports a number of losses, Sir Henry. He says you first lost your head, and instead of destroying the bridge, you marched over it. He says you then lost your nerve, and ran from a small French patrol. He says you lost ten men, a major, and two sergeants. He says you finally lost your sense of honour, and destroyed the bridge, cutting off a rescue party led by Lieutenant Sharpe. Major Hogan leaves the worst to the last he says you lost the Kings Colours.

— Sharpe TV series art

Wellesley: The South Essex is stood down in name. If I wipe the name, I may wipe the shame. I am making you a battalion of detachments; you will fetch and carry. The light company put up a fight, so I will let it stand under the command of a new captain.

— Sharpe TV series sex

Harper: You cant stop Captain Sharpe, sir. You can walk away from him or you can stand behind him, but dont ever try and get in his way.

— Sharpe TV series you

Matthews: Who are you, then, damn you? Gad, Ill have you flogged again, for youve not learned a lesson it seems.

— Sharpe TV series you

Sharpe: You saw my back, Matthews. I was flogged for something I never did. You will often be blamed for something you might not have done. But, being an officer, you will never be flogged. Even for something that you will do.

— Sharpe TV series you

Sharpe: Obadiah, and a blackguardly officer called Morris, once beat a native Indian half to death for sport, until I stopped them. They blamed me for it, and I was flogged. Watch him, Pat. He preys on the men. Hell snaffle kit, belts, frogs, haversacks, all entered or found lost by Obadiah, which leads to floggings unless he gets paid. Then wives. He beats men till their wives come to him, which I call rape. Ive seen his like before. An evil man marching in a cloud of pipeclay. And because he kicks up salutes, obeys every officer, hes bombproof to all but us. We who come up from the ranks, were smart to him.

— Sharpe TV series death

Sharpe: The Forlorn Hope are dead men the hour their names are called. First up the wall of the breach, first to die. Blown apart by mine or cannon. That it is why its called Forlorn.

— Sharpe TV series hope

Wellesley: I think youre a rogue, Sharpe. But youre one of my rogues and youre on my side. I dont want you dead.

— Sharpe TV series you

Sharpe: They say you cant be killed, Sergeant Hakeswill. It is known. Come with me, my lads, for I cannot die. Im going to live for ever, for they tried to hang me once but did not do it. I could almost believe it. Except in the case of someone you tried to kill, Sergeant Hakeswill and did not do it. I wonder who that might be, Sergeant. Youre a dead man, Obadiah. BANG!

— Sharpe TV series man

Harper: They are Chosen Men, sir. Picked out for their special skills. Thats why they wear the white cords of courage.

— Sharpe TV series courage

Sir Augustus: Well, not for much longer they wont. Nor will you have those stripes on your sleeve, Sergeant. As soon as I see Lord Wellington, Im gonna have you all up on a charge for disorderly conduct.

— Sharpe TV series you

Sir Augustus: SharpeSharpe. I believe I heard something about you in Lisbon, Sharpe. Are you the fellow Wellington raised from the ranks?

— Sharpe TV series believe

Sir Augustus: Well, Ive always thought it was a bad idea, and now Ive got proof of it. When I see Lord Wellington, Im going to speak to him about your conduct, Sharpe.

— Sharpe TV series thought

Nairn: Is that you, Sir Augustus? Major Nairn, Lord Wellingtons staff, sir. I take it you are Sir Augustus Farthingdale.

— Sharpe TV series art

Nairn: Lord Wellington is waiting for you, sir. Hes most anxious to allay your anxiety on the matter you alluded to in your letter.

— Sharpe TV series anxiety

Nairn: You see that Colonel, Sharpe? That Colonel came here to make you a Major, would you believe that?

— Sharpe TV series believe

Wellington: I am not happy you did not get me my horses, Sharpe. You think there may be something in these rockets, Sharpe?

— Sharpe TV series happy

Sharpe: Not as to accuracy, sir, but they play merry hell with the morale of poorly led men, sir. The sound is shocking.

— Sharpe TV series men

Sir Augustus: Are youuhsure that Captain Sharpe is the right man to send with the ransom? He wont cut and run if somebody lets off a gun, will he?

— Sharpe TV series man

Sir Augustus: I have not come here, my Lord, to hear this man explaining about his rockets. What about my wife, sir?

— Sharpe TV series man

Sir Augustus: Oh, I wonder why, sir. Its probably because he knew one of the ruffians when he was a private soldier. Thats what comes of raising from the ranks. Personally, my Lord, I dont hold with it.

— Sharpe TV series sin

Sir Augustus: Well, that being so, I have some concerns as to the correct conduct of Captain Sharpe, and his men. My wife is a lady. I must ask you to impress on Captain Sharpe the need to adopt certain standards which are not necessarily his by birth.

— Sharpe TV series men

Teresa: How dare he speak of Captain Sharpe in such a fashion! We Morenos are of the blood. We know who is a man of manners and who is a man of the mouth, and you, Sir Augustus, are a man of the mouth. Take my advice and shut it, before someone shuts it for you!

— Sharpe TV series advice

Wellington: Sir Augustus has a point, Sharpe. You and your men can be a little rough and ready. Sir Augustus has written a book on the proper conduct of the Spanish Campaign, I suggest you study it tonight, Sharpe. Full of good things, listen, During the days march, the men should keep their files, no indecent language or noise to be allowed. Be sure to read that particular part to the Chosen Men tonight after prayers.

— Sharpe TV series art

Sarah: Dont worry. Im married to a French colonel. We fell in love before this war began. Hes a brave man and hell come for me soon, I know he will.

— Sharpe TV series love

Sharpe: General Wellington promises that he will hang every man who does not present himself at our outpost by New Years Day.

— Sharpe TV series self

Nairn: Ducos is a very bad boy. Has the ear of Bonaparte himself. Where Ducos rides, dirty work is soon to follow.

— Sharpe TV series art

Nairn: Can you imagine what this will do to the morale of our troops, coming up to a cold Christmas? A scuttlebutt tells you theres a garden of Eden in the hills, good food, good grog, no foot drill or flogging. Wouldnt you say, Ill be damned to it, and desert? I know I would.

— Sharpe TV series food

Wellington: Dont be a damn fool, sir! Discipline is only a rabble-rousers shout from anarchy, sir! Mark me close, Colonel. What do you think the supreme virtue, sir? To the Frenchman in his recent revolution, it is liberty. To the Whig puffing in Parliament, it is licence to do anything, provide it do not disturb his pleasure. But to the common soldier, it is anarchy, to do whatever he please and be damned to his fellow. But to me and Bonaparte, the supreme virtue is order. We are not Whigs. We know that a man may love his neighbour over Monday and massacre him over Tuesday unless society keeps him in order! These deserters, if not secured and shot, will destroy my army more surely than Bonaparte! And Ill thank you not to forget it.

— Sharpe TV series love

Frederickson: Im not smiling, sir. A musket ball broke my jaw. I have false teeth. The sawbones stuck on the smile for free, sir. He also stuck on my hair. Hair belongs to a horse, sir.

— Sharpe TV series smile

Frederickson: Yes, sir. Keeping his mouth shut when hes asked damn-fool questions by a superior officer, sir.

— Sharpe TV series questions

Sharpe: You think shed 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!

— Sharpe TV series mind

Sharpe: Aye! So would I. A man lost his honour because of the ladys lies. Stripped of his rank. Hung on a rope.

— Sharpe TV series lies

Sharpe: Bloody French on one side, a madman on the other and were stuck here with the woman who had me hung.

— Sharpe TV series man

Harper: No, lad. Mister Sharpe may be dead in the eyes of French, but to you and me hes as lively as an eel.

— Sharpe TV series live

Ellie Nugent: I mean, no hurry. Unless to put a bullet through Cousin Arthur, the General. Hes kicking us out.

— Sharpe TV series art

Major Munro: 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 Majestys Household Guard under the command of Lord Kiley, to place themselves under the command of Field Marshal, the Lord Wellington. Sir.

— Sharpe TV series pain

Wellesley: I dont need decorative! I need an extra battalion of trained foot with full equipment to throw against the French. Are they all Irish?

— Sharpe TV series men

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

— Sharpe TV series day

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

— Sharpe TV series men

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

— Sharpe TV series age

Major Munro: 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 feeluncomfortable.

— Sharpe TV series fear

Major Munro: Bivouac them close to the French lines, so that those who wish to desert will find it easy. Well get them a liason officer, of course, someone senior enough to sooth Kileys feathers. But why not give them a drill-master, too?

— Sharpe TV series will

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

— Sharpe TV series advice

Major Munro: Which would you prefer me to do Sharpe? Play Beallagh na Bruga, thats the march, or send you on a dangerous mission?

— Sharpe TV series anger

Sharpe: At Foulness, sir, Colonel Girdwood gave orders that deserters were to be shot out of hand. I saw one killed. He hunted men through the marshland like they were rats. He wants to see a battle? Hell see a battle!

— Sharpe TV series men

Sharpe: They did very well for a Colonel in Napoleons Imperial Guard I had to kill before hed give them to me!

— Sharpe TV series kill

Sharpe: You dont know? Youre officer of the day! No guard mounted! What are you doing when youre not playing blind mans buff, dancing pomps?

— Sharpe TV series man

Sharpe: Dont be a damn fool, sir. If Wellington catches you duelling, youll be on the next ship back to England.

— Sharpe TV series you

Harmer: Is that the same Sharpe who shot three Dragoons while saving Wellingtons life? The same Sharpe who took the Eagle at Talavera?

— Sharpe TV series life

de Maquerre: May I intercede? Colonel Bampfylde is new in Spain. Field Marshall Wellingtons views on duelling are very strict.

— Sharpe TV series pain

Sharpe: Harris, until this matter is resolved, youre my responsibility. Now while Im on this mission, you will act as manservant to my wife.

— Sharpe TV series man

Harris: Loyalty! Were loyal to him and hes loyal to us. In life and in death. We trust him with our lives and he trusts us with his life.

— Sharpe TV series life

Jane: What will you do when you get home, Richard? Youll still be a soldier, but there wont be a war. And if theres no war then you wont be happy. What will you do all day?

— Sharpe TV series war

Jane: Ill tell you what they do, Richard. They ride, they hunt, they gamble, they play cards, they look after their gardens, their dogs, their libraries. They wine and dine and make polite conversation. They cut a figure in society.

— Sharpe TV series society

Harper:For all these years Ive been fighting the French, Ive become sick and bloody tired of that shit-music they play.

— Sharpe TV series music

Davi Lal: That would be stealing, sahib! How am I to be a good British soldier if you make me into a thief again?

— Sharpe TV series good

Simmerson: You should be wary of this one, McRae. He thinks because Wellington raised him up from the sewer that it somehow makes him a gentleman. Dont know your place, do you, Sharpie?

— Sharpe TV series war

Sharpe: Maybe not, but I know how to stand before a French column. I know how to face fire without soiling my breeches and turning tail.

— Sharpe TV series fire

Sharpe: Ah, they dont want fair odds though, do they? Eh, Shadrach? Its a bloody contest. Come on, Pat. Come on, lets show these buggers.

— Sharpe TV series blood

Mohan Singh: The Company have only maintained the peace here, by keeping the princes at each others throats. Khande Raos father: he feared his neighbours more than he hated the British. And so it was your country that kept him supplied with arms.

— Sharpe TV series fear

Mohan Singh: The son is not the father, however: Khande Rao wants you out of our country; once and for all. It is a view with which I cannot say I do not have some sympathy.

— Sharpe TV series sin

Mohan Singh: Khande Rao is a sworn enemy of my blood. And that makes you my enemys enemy, and therefore, a necessary evil. Good day to you both.

— Sharpe TV series evil

Simmerson: Sharpe! I see time has done nothing to improve a want of etiquette in you. Still the same, whore-mongering, gutter trash of memory!

— Sharpe TV series time

Simmerson: Cruel, sir? I calls it discipline! Sepoys they may be. But this is a Christian army and I will see things done the Christian way!

— Sharpe TV series christian

Sharpe: I am no longer in the service of His Majesty. My business in India concluded, I am for Calcutta and England.

— Sharpe TV series business

East India Company Officer: But perhaps then, might at least you be prevailed upon to perform one last duty? In which, I assure you, there is no peril to yourself.

— Sharpe TV series self

Sharpe: God knows, I didnt look for this duty. But for better or worse, Im responsible for your safety.

— Sharpe TV series god

Wormwood: My men come along your supper there, sir, looking to take his pleasure of the maid, sir, by force.

— Sharpe TV series men

Sharpe: Day comes a man has to decide, whether he stands to protect what he holds dear, or bows himself under anothers will.

— Sharpe TV series self

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