Original subtitles

There is a reason you covet this negro so well, Governor.

The others look up to Pedro.

England craves tobacco. Imagine when our fields are full of men such as Pedro.

Yesterday you laughed once.

Today... you laughed twice.

In one year, you will love me.

You will tell me the dealings you've had with the captain of the Royal Moon.

The arrangement that you made with him for our tobacco never to reach England.

I did come here to ruin you

but when I saw a man so distressed,

what I felt was pity.

A widow's life is short, Jocelyn.

It is not possible for a woman to remain here unaided.

Without a husband, a woman simply has no position in Virginia.

Subtitles by explosiveskull

Let us go forth with this cross to remind us we serve God's purpose here.

What a wondrous day it is, Alice, to bring the message of the cross.

So that no more evil shades might trespass upon our settlement.

We could meet in the woods.

- For kissing? - If that's what you want.

That's what I want.

What are we to do with all this land, Pedro?

- Farm is, sir. - True. True. And true again.

This means, Governor, that every man shall have a piece of earth to plant as his own.

We will need more souls if we are to conquer it.

I hope that you will... breed with Maria, hm?

I know how you like to please me.

Let's hope you give Maria a child, and soon.

- VOICE: Know thyself. - Know thyself.

What do you suppose you're doing?

Massinger owes us a debt for what he stole. We're taking payment.

Make your claim and the court will deal with it.

We predict that all of this will fall into Yeardley's hands.

So, he's the man that can agree to settle what is due to us.

If you take these labourers, it'll be considered a theft.

Jocelyn...

When you speak with the doctor, I hope you will receive his proposal well.

Dear Governor, I implore that you pity me.

I live in a world where the most handsome man is already taken.

Authority, courage, experience.

The most manly man. Is it any wonder that others blemish before you?

The Sharrows have taken every last negro from Massinger's farm.

They claim them as their right in payment for Massinger's theft of their tobacco.

They've got brimstone in their liver, let's give them that.

We will make them kneel before the seat of judgment, sir.

Let us be in no hurry to have every ounce of business

regarding Massinger's land and labour recorded.

I'll deal with the Sharrows.

I was hoping that you would walk me home, dear Governor.

Your charms, Jocelyn, cannot erase the common tradition.

If a widow does not remarry, then her reputation might meet with public sanction.

Their lives will be better here, Alice, than ever they were at Master Massinger's.

Pedro...

you have never stopped trying to prove yourself to me.

Every day a little bit, a little bit...

until I trust you.

You are the most beautiful.

Whenever I see you walking, your left foot is more lovely than your right but...

No, but they are both...

No more talking.

I couldn't help but overhear your conversation with our Governor.

When a landowner such as Massinger dies, he has no wife, no children...

Is there no pie you do not seek to dig your finger into?

The Sharrows have taken possession of Massinger's

negroes in payment for their losses.

Widow. Widow.

The more you meddle, the more I am amused.

But the land, sir, will it be returned to the company?

Jocelyn, might I speak with you?

Yes, perhaps tomorrow. I'm about to leave.

- Jocelyn, are you avoiding me? - I don't know why you say such a thing.

I dare not put off what I have to say for one day more.

Our Governor spoke to me...

Ma'am? Ma'am?

It's the chill, sir, or the damp.

Or perhaps something else altogether.

Come on. Pull!

Pull! Pull!

Pull! Come on.

Pull!

Do not push a man to the ground because you believe you own him.

I prod him as I was prodded so the work might get done.

I see only you taking another living soul to the ground because you are a brute

who needs to crush every living thing.

Alice, we've lost a whole year's crop.

You've never forgiven me, have you?

- Why should I? - You were meant to be my wife.

I have named my regret.

It was never true remorse, not from you. Never.

What will it take, Alice?

Must I swallow my last breath for you to cease hating me?

Yes.

- To have children is God's work. - Yes, ma'am.

- Mistress Sharrow is... - No, I mean you, Maria.

It's a holy purpose that my husband told Pedro to breed with you.

Did the Governor tell you to breed with me?

Maria...

No, my eyes have always seen a most beautiful woman.

Answer me.

Answer me.

He did.

I trusted you.

Maria... Maria...

(SHRIEK)

(SHRIEKS)

(WAILS)

(YELLS)

- What brought the woman to attack Pedro? - Maria has always had the fiercest humour.

I hope Pedro did not tell her that I instructed him to breed with her.

- I could not hear the matter of it. - (YELLS)

I was not close by, I...

but I don't believe that she meant to harm him so...

The man is dying.

She plunged a knife full into his gut. Of course she meant to harm him!

I will set every man to search for her.

Then she will tell us.

Pedro looks fearfully sick, Doctor.

What hope does he have?

If the bleeding doesn't kill him, then the fever will.

You have blood on your Holy book.

(BARKING)

(GROWLING)

If we let one of their kind run, then others will do the same.

The blackamoor will be caught and her return and punishment

will show all who see it that attempting escape is a fatal decision.

You Sharrows are known as masterly hunters.

We are blessed to know that you will track the negro down.

And once this matter is sorted, I will have time

to consider your claim for Massinger's negroes.

I suggest you show loyalty to me at every

opportunity, if you wish me to favour your petition.

There needs to be order for farms to prosper.

When we were tenured men, we laboured our time.

If we had run, then we would have been called

deserters and hanged if we were caught.

It's the same, Alice. If we do not help search,

then the Governor will count that against our right to Massinger's men.

You talk like Henry does.

(PANTING)

(BARKING)

I hope it is not your intention to aid the runaway, Mistress Rutter?

But if I might chance upon Maria, sir, I could

persuade her to return and face justice.

Why do you have food?

I plan to leave it for her to find, Secretary Farlow.

Then it might give her strength to submit herself to the authorities.

And why are you searching at this spot?

Is there some godless enchantment at work here?

I see nowt but a few scraps of nothing.

(YELLS)

- Why would you do such a thing? - Because it pleases me.

Ma'am, when that cross was stood up...

...the sun dazed me...

...and a voice came to me.

It said...

'Know thyself.' That's all.

It brought tears into my eyes.

Know thyself. What does it mean, ma'am?

Know thyself.

There's plenty about Meredith Rutter ain't worth discovering.

Lies, deceits... cowardnesses...

- I don't want to know myself. - I don't want to know myself.

Is there an echo in here? I keep hearing my own words coming back to me.

Well, where am I to find an answer to such thoughts as these, ma'am?

God's book is where the word lives.

My mistress is sick, sir.

Yes, and I'm her doctor so I wish to attend her.

- But she's of her bed, sir. - Mercy, if you let me in,

then I can examine Mistress Castell of her bed

so that I might determine what ails her.

Surely, sir.

Why she lay there smit with affliction only moments ago.

Secretary Farlow.

I am glad to see you so restored, sir.

After your encounter with roughhouse.

A pleasantry from you makes my bowel shiver.

What do you want?

I want Master Massinger's land.

Ah, see how the air itself sparkles to life when true nature is expressed.

I have the cause and the justification.

Massinger killed my husband.

What I do not yet have are the means to persuade...

the Governor to sign the contract over to me.

I want you to persuade our governor.

I have no misgivings about this course except one.

It would make me an ally to you

and that thought puts yesterday's breakfast back into my throat.

Do you think I would make such an approach

without naming a benefit and a business for you?

I would own the land, I would profit from its yield

and you will be my secret partner in the enterprise.

- What percentage would I have? - Half.

If I were to help you gain the plantation,

why should I trust you to keep your word?

Oh, but, sir, I see that the possibility of dark dealings

and political betrayal are already intoxicating to your senses.

I will consider your proposal.

- What's the matter with your ale? - I don't like the taste of it.

What are you doing with the Bible?

Seeking.

What could you seek in the pages of a book, you wantwit?

You can't read.

I can't seem to shake them words out of my brain.

Know thyself. Know thyself.

I have to follow it where it takes me.

She was here.

Yesterday.

We might be seen to search but not well enough that we find Maria.

Henry?

Alice will settle. Our family have known peace.

We will know it again.

I don't blame Alice. She's not the only one who can't forgive me.

If your own soul torments you...

Not me, brother, you.

(GASPS)

(YELLS)

Help!

(YELLS)

It was me who said to bring her here.

You did right, Pepper. Take her inside.

- You have black men in your field. - Yes.

Yes, we do.

Chacrow, I know it was you who returned my

baby to me and now you bring Maria here.

I will repay you if I can.

Silas says Sharrows owe no more debts to Pamunkey.

Then I say to you that I do.

I am ready to repay you.

A woman, a blackamoor...

took a knife to my valuable servant.

A witless girl and yet you huntsmen failed to scout her out.

Is your manhood so weak?

Perhaps she's been given shelter. I have good reason to inspect the tavern.

How many miles of wilderness are there out there?

She might keep going till she's never seen again.

- Deserters are punished. - Most of them dead.

What about the naturals? Could she be with them?

The signs we saw were that she rested close by in the woods.

If she intended to go as far as the mountains, she'd keep moving.

I'd say she was confused, afraid... didn't know what she was doing.

Find her.

You're safe here, Maria. I don't know how but we will help you.

I killed Pedro.

- I saw so much blood. - Pedro is not dead.

He may not live but he's not dead yet.

Why, Maria?

Why did you do it?

The Governor told Pedro he must breed with me.

I believed that Pedro was lying with me because the Governor told him to.

There is no reason to defy the Governor. We've a

chance, do you not see, to get back what we have lost.

To keep Massinger's men.

How long can she hide like this?

- A day? A week? A year? - What would you have me do?

Hand her over when you know what will happen to her.

- She took a knife to a man. - So did I once!

And I was lucky my strength failed me.

I only cut him. I could not plunge it into him as I wanted to.

I will not give Maria up.

Do you hear me?

I refuse.

If you were a runaway, Secretary Farlow,

would you hide yourself in the tavern?

Even my own softbrain of a husband would gallop until he had no feet left on him.

- What are you doing, Rutter? - Sir.

You're a man of the Bible.

Since I have no reading, might you answer me a question of this book?

- Know thyself. - That is the question?

As my tongue is in my soul, sir.

Do I see that you are sober, Rutter?

The heart is deceitful above all things...

and desperately wicked...

who can know it?

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked...

...who can know it?

It must have been most distressing for you,

Temperance, to have witnessed such savagery.

To have blood on your hands and your dress...

And yet, there is a shroud of...

what is it, concealment about you.

If I lose Pedro, I'll be robbed of more than just sweat and labouring hands.

The man has a purpose for me.

To teach others like himself that they belong.

To persuade them to toil without question...

Do not talk.

Did you tell Maria that I instructed Pedro to breed with her?

No. No. No.

I did not know. No, I promise you. I promise you.

Then all is well.

And all is well.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

Secretary.

I have a glass of wine ready for you.

(CHUCKLES)

If you are to obtain Massinger's land,

I must warn you, it cannot be achieved with cunning.

It can only be accomplished by direct confrontation with Yeardley.

Widow, is it that you fear the pale life of a doctor's wife

that makes you resist remarrying so resolutely?

Tell me how I might possess the farm.

The previous Governor, Argyle,

sold the land to Master Massinger without the permission of the company.

Yeardley knows that.

Should this fact be exposed, the Virginia Company will reclaim it all.

Should the corruption remain out of view...

Yeardley might concoct a contract between himself and Massinger

and the entire transaction would remain out of view.

This gives you the means by which to challenge Yeardley.

Now you must find the courage.

Are you certain, madam, that you do not wish to remarry?

I will not be owned, possessed, confined or determined by wedlock.

Henry.

Did you tell him? Did you?

- I told him nothing. - You leave her be.

- This is my home and you will... - Alice.

(SHRIEKS) Silas!

The heart is deceitful above all things

and desperately wicked, who can know it?

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked...

(MUFFLED CRIES)

(DOOR RATTLES)

Master Rutter...

I...

- What was it you wanted? - Might you explain to me...

The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked...

...who can know it?

Thank you, Master Rutter...

for coming to...

to speak with me.

But what does it mean?

It is an instruction that we do not set our course by our own terrible wishes.

For we will suffer the more.

It was kind of you to bring such a pillow for Pedro.

I might feed on this book and be fat with grace.

What have you done, girl?

What have you done?

Pedro!

There ain't a settlement along the river you can

go to, won't turn you in to Governor Yeardley.

Your only possibility is the naturals.

I must see Pedro first to tell him I am sorry.

It's a risk, girl, especially since he... might not live to hear it.

You came looking for me with food.

Why would you help me when I took a knife to a man? Your friend.

You would come to my aid if it was me who used the blade.

I kept that knife in my hand for so long.

It was like it was part of me.

Because I knew I would use it.

The day would come.

But I didn't know it would be Pedro.

He told you?

(DOOR OPENS)

(LOW) Verity?

Pedro has run.

I want you to ask Maria where he would go to.

James Read, there's not a shadow that moves

in this town that don't catch your eye.

You have that... shrine...

secret place by the Black River.

He'll look for her there.

James Read.

What are you doing sitting there, Henry?

Searching for the runaway negroes.

It's a very Henry Sharrow way of hunting.

There's a time when a man might look more

keenly with his mind than his eyes and legs.

Come closer that we might speak.

Have you been out seeking Pedro?

If he isn't found soon, he won't live.

You know, I never thought I'd see the day that Henry

Sharrow was doing the Governor's dark work for him.

There speaks the man who made the chains.

What have you beneath those blankets, James Read?

Provisions, tools, weapons...

Let me take a look, will you?

You can search the woods and the river all you wish, Henry,

but you won't give me the offence of searching my boat.

Pedro. Talk to me. Please talk to me.

Pedro, why did you not tell me what the Governor said to you?

I woke up in the night and you were kissing me.

Do you suppose I had any thoughts about our master?

Maria, we have to go back.

Yeardley will never let us escape.

He will hunt us forever.

Maria, if Master Yeardley sees us walk back to him...

I will speak to him, plead with him...

We are too valuable to him. He will not kill us.

We will go back.

(BELL CHIMES)

Governor!

Governor! Governor!

We Sharrows have shown ourselves to be loyal to you.

Can we suppose that the earlier matter between us, our claim,

to take the negroes from Massinger's farm,

that that issue is now settled?

Governor, Governor, I spoke to Maria.

She was intent on returning to face justice. I swear to you, sir.

Dear Governor, Maria ran away because she was afraid, sir.

I went to find her, to explain to her, to tell her that when she spoke to you,

when she tells you how this came about, that you

would be merciful... This accident is my doing.

I was pushing Maria, sir, fighting with her, playing, sir.

- An accident? - Yes. Yes, sir.

I was some distance but, yes...

perhaps it was play that I saw.

Pedro, if I discover that you have been lying to your master,

I will have to punish you.

Secretary?

What becomes of a servant who seeks to run away from their master?

The crime must never be forgotten, Governor.

The guilt of it must always be visible.

(SCREAMING CONTINUES)

(SCREAMING CONTINUES)

They were going to give themselves up.

Would you have the Governor believe you caught them for your own advantage?

And why did you put them in chains?

Perhaps so you might see it, Alice.

Now, I know you believe I'm a man beyond salvation...

So, let me prove it to you with my every breath. You are right.

Well... But that's worse.

It's the worst.

To cruelly use another soul to punish me.

Like a coward's way.

A coward and you are the king of fear, Henry Sharrow.

Deny it. Deny it.

I've listened to you.

You see eternal summer over the horizon.

Well, it in't there.

Why?

Because we're all human beasts.

Do you tell yourself you're untouched by all of this?

Look at your own land and see how it's worked now.

Do you really suppose it's possible to live here without being tainted?

I hope you will be kind to us, Lady Yeardley.

Shall we meet in the woods again, Mercy?

I ain't so sure. I keep looking up above me for

fear another person might fall down onto me.

Then, let's meet in the rushes.

The skimmington...

Rough music...

...to shame you for failing to remarry.

Let me walk alone... please.

(JEERING)

(BELL RINGING)

Shame! Shame! Shame!

Shame!

Harlot! Shame!

Shame! Shame! Shame!

(JEERING CONTINUES)

I thought your legs might buckle beneath you as you walked down that street.

The more they seek to shame me...

...the more I refuse to be tamed.

A widow knows a man.

She's no longer... immaculate.

She is milked flesh.

And I will be the peach that they fear.

I will be as open as I wish to be.

Marigold... lovered... woman.

- You have made an enemy of the Governor. - He has made a foe of me.

You only have to wave your arm, sir, and I'll put together an attack force.

Fight with me.

Sharrow, give yourself up!

I'm sorry it's come to this, Alice.

Subtitles by explosiveskull