Original subtitles

And are being motivated by the Pickiaries.

The

of September the 5th, 1805,

Captain Henry Blackwood arrived at Merton Place.

He had traveled through the night,

bringing news of the greatest urgency

for Admiral Lord Nelson.

The same news was conveyed to me,

Thomas Masterman Hardee,

Captain of the Admiral's flagship, Victory.

I was staying with friends in the West Country,

but I lost no time in packing my bags and making my adews.

Captain Blackwood reported that the French and Spanish fleet

which we had been pursuing for many months

had been cornered in Cadiz Harbour.

God willing, this would mean a battle.

Perhaps the greatest sea battle of all time.

I drove immediately to Merton Place,

summoned by Lord Nelson for a council of war.

The

The

My first met Lord Nelson about ten years ago.

He was a Commodore then and I a lieutenant.

I had the good fortune to attract his favourable attention,

and he was heard to say,

Tom Hardee shall be my captain one of these days,

and that indeed is precisely what happened.

I've always regarded his lordship as an excellent officer,

but a poor seaman.

By that I mean he has little notion of how to keep a ship in good order.

As a man I would say he is neither easy to live with

nor attractive in his manners, being fidgety to the greatest degree,

vain and proud.

Nevertheless he is exceptionally firm and decisive.

These are his chief legs.

Welcome to Paradise Merton, Captain Hardee.

It is Captain Hardee isn't it?

Fetch the wire. You must be utterly exhausted after that long journey.

I'll pre-voom my dear sir, this way. You fellow Hardee fetch the wire.

I was standing just there, awaiting your service.

I was standing just there, waiting your service.

I was standing just there, waiting your service.

I was standing just there, waiting your service.

I was standing just there, waiting your arrival with the greatest interest.

Our dear Nelson speaks with such warmth of his Captain Hardee.

Well I'm sure you know that. I am William Beckford.

Your most humble servant?

Mr. Beckford. No doubt you heard of me. Over that.

You were as long as you choose.

You sit down Captain Hardee, you'll have some wine.

Thank you.

Oh yes, I'm used to being stared at. It happens all the time.

Only last week I was in London at my book sentence.

But I observed a particularly brutish-looking gentleman of mature years,

staring at me with the most uncommon intensity.

I decided to repay him in kind and stared back until my eyeballs positively ached with the effort.

Eventually he came across to apologize. Do forgive me sir.

He said, I thought you were that scoundrel, William Beckford.

So I am, my servant. So I am.

His inheritance was worth traveling my host to see.

Do sit down Captain Hardee.

Our host and host is retired after dinner.

I think it would be tactless to disturb them.

Don't you? They have few and a half hours together. Heaven knows.

You're very good to help Captain Hardee.

And yours sir.

I gather you're going off to fight the French.

Yes sir.

Emma's most unhappy about it, as I'm sure you're good.

I can't imagine. Be prepared for the rough edge of her tongue.

What do you think of her?

I beg you about it.

What is your opinion of Lady Hamilton?

Well I, uh, I scarcely know the lady.

Oh rubbish, of course you do. You don't like her do you?

Well neither do I.

I think she's of a wrong go, a term again and a shrew.

Sir William Hamilton was my mother's cousin you see.

He was also one of my oldest friends I knew him for years.

And his first wife, Lady Catherine.

She was in every way the most remarkable woman, cultured, sympathetic,

the very embodiment of virtue.

When she died I was brokenhearted.

Truly brokenhearted.

I loved her more than I've ever loved anyone.

And she I think loved me.

Dear, dear Lady Catherine.

And then he married Emma Art.

A cast off mistress of his own nephew.

Dear God, what lunacy.

Mind you I think she kept him happy in a way.

She was decorative after all, at least she was, until she put on so much weight.

And he liked pretty things around him.

Girl, boys, it didn't matter who they were as long as they were pretty.

She used to appear in the nude.

Did you know that?

When she was young she used to pose in some place called the Temple of Health.

Just off Pal Mallet was, run by a quack called Dr Graham.

Oh yes, she's come a long way since Thursday.

Oh my word yes, between ourselves of course is strictly confidential.

To her face I feigned the deepest friendship.

So you see, Captain Hardy I am not a man to be trusted.

But then who is?

I think perhaps if you'll excuse me and Mr. Beckford I will still...

Please don't but pray.

No, no, you must forgive me.

Dear Captain Hardy I...

I know I have been infinitely indiscreet.

But what can you expect from a man of my reputation?

Please do sit down.

To be frank Mr. Beckford, I don't know what your reputation is.

In fact, I have never even heard of you.

Never heard of me.

Well, but surely that's impossible.

You must remember Mr. Beckford that I spend a great deal of my time at sea.

I move very little in society.

Are you some sort of an artist?

Well, yes you could say that I suppose.

But where as most artists create books or paintings or musical compositions?

My shaderv is myself.

I am not a man.

I am a man.

I am a man.

I am a man.

I am a man.

I am a man.

Captain Hardy, I thought I heard a carriage.

I am a lady.

I can't pretend I am pleased to see you.

Do you know how long Lord Nelson has been here at Merton?

Two weeks, my lady.

Two short weeks.

After God knows how long chasing round the Mediterranean after the French fleet.

And here you are, just waiting to snatch him back to sea again.

Well, yes, I understand how you feel, my lady.

It's all strong, you know.

He needs a proper rest.

What about us? What about his family?

Don't we deserve a few short months of happiness together?

It's the same for all of us, I'm afraid.

You're not married.

How can you possibly know the agonies of separation?

Will you, dear?

We so want you to stay the night.

You're not in any great hurry, are you?

For you, dear Emma. I will stay for all eternity.

Oh, what a sweet thing to say.

You're a poet.

And Margot Conley Baroli, non-nosemperate that though.

No, Emma, I'm gonna say, turopouturciatee.

Nelson, what's you to say as well?

I'll put you in the yellow room next to her Asia.

Thank you, my lady.

She tends to cry a bit in the mornings, you'll find.

I expect you're used to waking, Ernie.

Hardy?

Hardy.

My lord.

My dear, Hardy.

I have something very important I want to talk to you about.

Come through into the library.

We'll be staying long.

Not many moments, you promise.

Come on, honey.

Who is that?

What?

Er...

I wish we'd be in Beckford.

When'd you be introduced?

Yes, but I mean, who is he?

Is he celebrated or famous or what?

We've spoken with the richest man in England,

building an amazing house in Wiltshire, Fong Hill.

Really quite astonishing.

I like him, don't you?

He's a Muslim using fella.

Keep talking about his reputation.

What reputation, then?

Should I know about it?

Ha! Ha! Ha!

Oh, Hardy.

Oh, dear, what an innocent you are.

No.

This battle is going to be absolutely crucial.

And I intend that we shall give the enemies such as shaking as an Emmaette experienced.

When Bonaparte's fleet sails out of Giddiz, it must be destroyed.

Not defeated, but destroyed.

Only then will England be safe.

Only then can we be sure the French won't invade.

Half a victor is not enough, it must be totally.

Do we know the enemy's strength?

34th state of the line and five frigates.

We shall be what? 27.

Yes, but a very powerful fleet, Hardy, are not to be held cheap.

No, but, Lord.

No, look.

The enemy are going to expect us to line up for a conventional battle like this.

But all this one will be.

It's old-fashioned, it's clumsy.

We both know that it wastes valuable time. It takes too long.

Surely, my Lord, the Admiralty recommends that.

We're fighting, then, Hardy.

We're not slaves of the Admiralty.

You're not wind-battles with regulations.

Now, look, this is what we're going to do.

The enemy.

The enemy.

Of course.

I shall divide the fleet into three divisions.

One will be composed of about a dozen of the fastest two deckers.

These I will hold and reserve.

I shall employ them wherever I think will be most effective.

The rest will be divided up into two lies.

I shall command the weather line here.

For example, Admiral Collingwood, the beat.

We shall go at them at once.

Collingwood will pierce the enemy line here.

Thus, overwhelming the rear guard.

I shall lead the weather line to of the center here,

which means that these ships will be isolated, useless.

Well, what do you think?

I can tell you what I think.

I think this will confuse and confound the enemy.

They won't know what I'm about.

It'll bring about a tell-mill battle, that's what I want.

Well...

It's, erm, very bold, isn't it?

Yes, I agree.

Very striking.

It's very unconventional.

It'll increase the risk.

Yes, you quite righted, Will, but nothing is certain.

Hardly something must be left to chance.

But what about these ships here?

Will they come within range of the enemy guns,

long before they can return fire?

Yes, they will, you quite correct.

We both know the enemy's ill-discipline.

They'll command it, man with raw sailors.

With a bit of luck, they'll not do as much damage.

I still think it's taking a tremendous risk.

Does he worry you?

Doesn't it worry you?

The party without risk, life would be in support.

Without risk, it'd be dead.

We would fingers have that

as much as we intended be.

How unique it is to a star..

...to be bad at a light.

A world of laughter.

And of course, I'll enjoy this soundrier with you

working with you.

We've seen an increasing period

rest, we've seen a increased rate of normal Detgun.

And the

repayament

found

there

and

There's no problem with the tribulations.

All alone, Captain Hardy?

His lordship is resting and Lady Hamilton has gone to change.

Yes, where to have a performance this evening, I believe.

Have you ever witnessed Emma's attitudes?

Only once, a few years ago.

Once is more than enough, don't you agree?

Captain Hardy, no one is closer to Lord Nelson than you.

I wonder if you'd be prepared to do me a small service.

What sort of a small service?

To speak?

To his lordship on my behalf.

To speak to him?

About what?

Well, it's a sad and sorry story, I'm afraid.

There was a time, Captain Hardy, when I expected to be created a pier.

Lord Beckford of Font Hill, it sounds rather fine, don't you think?

I was, you see, a loyal wig.

I was, and am extremely wealthy.

A pierage seemed almost inevitable.

And then at the worst possible moment, there was a breath of scandal.

A malicious fiction, I might say, totally unfounded.

Lord Loughborough claimed that I'd been caught in flagrante with his son, William.

I had been fond of the boy once, it's true, but that was all in the past.

I was a mad, mad Captain Hardy.

But there was no use.

Nobody chose to believe me, I was the victim of my own reputation.

Aha.

My pick-up on.

Your reputation?

Yes.

I was gammed by my own reputation.

And so, the pierage was not forthcoming.

It was a bit of blow.

I, um, I don't see how this misfortune concerns Lord Nelson.

Ah, well, it was all a long time ago.

That's the whole point.

A very long time ago, I have every reason to hope that things would be different now.

If my case were argued favorably.

By Lord Nelson, you mean?

I do.

Yes, that's precisely what I mean.

Precisely.

I, um, it would, of course, be to his lordship's great advantage if he succeeded.

To his advantage?

Well, know how extravagant that might be.

And then there's Lady Nelson to consider.

She takes half her husband's payer.

Hey, I'll go home.

You're offering him money.

Yes.

I have to say, why not?

I had a similar arrangement with the William Hamilton before he died.

Since Lord Nelson's position is so much more eminent, my hopes are correspondingly higher.

I see.

It needs to say I would be extremely grateful to you, a personally Captain Hardy, and I've

always been a generous man.

I am speechless, Mr. Beckford.

Why?

It's the most dishonorable thing I ever heard of in my life.

It is dishonorable.

Why dishonorable?

Don't be so naive, my dear Hardy.

Every peerage in the realm has been bought at one time or another, if not for money, then

with services rendered, I am merely following a long and well-tried tradition.

You seem to forget, sir, that Lord Nelson is universally admired and well-respected.

So much the better.

I wish to hear no more upon this matter.

Oh, my dear God, what a tantrum.

I really do not see what is wrong with offering his lordship a little financial assistance.

You are treating him like your pimp.

Am I?

Am I?

Just bear this in mind for one moment, Captain Hardy.

Glorious thing, though it may be to you.

Killing and maiming people in battle might be considered by some to be a fairly squalid

occupation, but perhaps even more squalid than pimping.

That being the case, I don't think you are much cause to be quite so adequately.

Self-righteous!

I wish I had you under my command, Mr. Beckford.

I'd soon show you what it takes to fight a battle.

Will I really go?

I think of anything more enticing, Captain Hardy.

Because that I must refuse.

Up to the letter.

You are the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one

who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is

the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only

one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the

only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the only one who

the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the U.S.

the only one who is the only one who is the only one who is the U.S.

the know and the know and the know and the know and the know and the know and the one who

is the only one who is the only one who is the one who is the only one who is the

Yeah.

You know, when I was about five or six years old,

the great Mozart came to visit us at Font Hill.

Oh, yes.

He was a little older than me, maybe nine or ten.

I played him this little tune of mine.

And it's so impressive that he used it later.

In one of his operas.

He said, no, I've been cheating.

No, no.

Such a gracious compliment.

Poor Mozart.

I visited him in Vienna, you know, just for a dime.

He becomes so strange and melonically.

Oh, a bit more wonderful than ever.

Did I ever tell you about that all-female orchestra

that I once saw in Venice?

Yes.

The most extraordinary sight imaginable, Captain Hardy.

I mean, just picture it.

A pair of lily-white hands paddling across an enormous double base.

A pair of rosiet cheeks puffing frantically on a French whore.

Those who've grown old in Amazonian have forsaken their fiddles

for the kettle drum, and there was one poor limping lady

who'd obviously been crossed in love, who made an amenable figure

on the pursuit.

I have the feeling that you're not a musical man, Captain Hardy.

Am I right?

Well, no matter.

Monteverde is not to everybody's taste.

Perhaps you prefer paintings, do you?

And what you these do you particularly admire?

The, uh, the Andrew Guelph?

Perhaps?

Oh, what about the Aldravander Smagnus?

Oh, and the Sibilla Marian is charming, don't you?

Vakasusi and Maard have worked enormously.

Did you know that?

He adored her extreme nasty touch and delighted in her strict sense of propriety.

Apparently, she agreed to marry only because she wanted to study the male nude

without violating her innate modesty.

I'm sorry, sir, I don't see the joke.

See, how it goes.

They're not real.

He's making them up.

Not real.

They're just the murder of the writers.

Oh, I see.

Very clever, Mr. Beckford.

Most amusing.

Do forgive me, sir.

I'm here. I've no match for the brilliance of this conversation.

I'm here.

What in God's name do you think you're doing, party?

If you intend to insult Lady Hamilton and her guest, I would run.

You didn't come to this house.

I wasn't aware that I had insulted anyone.

Swimming off like a peturant, schoolboy.

I thought you'd be happier without me.

What does that mean?

Mr. Beckford and his sort are not people with whom I feel much of ease.

Mr. Beckford and his sort?

What the hell are you talking about, Mr. Beckford's my friend, my guest?

I am his sort. He's trying to insult me as well.

I think you know what I mean, sir.

Oh, hardly for God's sake. Do stop him so insufferably pompous.

There's something wrong.

Well, tell me if there is.

Come on, come on. Be frank.

Sir, you know I don't enjoy coming here.

Good God. I'd be grateful if you didn't invite me in for some time.

Sometimes, honey.

I could strike that tight little expression right off your face.

Lady Hamilton's my wife, Hardish. She's my wife, not my whore.

Yes, sir.

She is my wife in the eyes of God. That's all that matters.

Yes, sir.

No, keep saying yes, I like that if you disagree, at least have the courage to say so.

You know how I feel about these things.

No, I do not know how you feel, Hardie.

Do not know how you feel. I can only guess. Please enlighten me.

You say that's all that matters.

Well, I don't think it is.

All right, what else?

In my view, sir, you have a duty to conduct yourself according to certain moral principles.

Oh, what? Bloody rubbish, Hardie. What do you take me for?

The Archbishop of Gansabur.

You asked me what was wrong. Very well, I'm telling you.

Yes, sir. I do.

A man in your position cannot be here.

I do. I said to you, I'm a officer.

You are a duty. One, two, three, and that is the win battle.

Good God, you expect me to be perfect, don't you?

No, sir. Yes, you do. You expect me to be perfect.

Well, I'm not perfect. Hardie. No, man.

You're not perfect. No, man. He's least of all me.

Yes, sir. You should know that more than most.

And don't talk to me about duty.

No, sir. Come on, Hardie. Let's have no more of this stern face of moral disapproval.

I find it most irritating.

It's not moral disapproval, sir.

Well, it sounds damn like it to me.

Anyway, it's not my disapproval. You should concern yourself about it.

It's other people's. No, what other people?

Well, almost anyone you care to mention.

After nation spends his time talking about you.

I find it very flattering.

You wouldn't if you could hear what they say.

No, what do they say?

I'm sure I don't have to tell you that, sir.

You mean gossip about me and Emma? Yes, sir.

People who mock Emma only are not worth a bucket of bonaparte's piss at his spicier.

Even Mr. Beckford.

What's he got to do with it?

He's no friend of Lady Hamilton, sir.

He may pretend to be, but he's naughty.

He's making fun of her, just like the rest of me.

Even with me, he was laughing about her.

How hard he is joking. He's always joking.

Good God, have you no sense of humor the man's devoted to Emma?

Believe me, sir, he's not to be trusted. He's trying to make use of you.

You mean this peerage business?

You, uh... you know about it?

Yes, of course I know.

He tried the same game with also William.

Well, doesn't it second you that he should try to do such a thing?

It doesn't please me, exactly.

But then again, I'm crippled with debt. I need money and plenty of it.

If Beckford can provide some cash, I'm in no position to say nothing.

You mean you do what he wants?

No, no, no, no. You know how the court sneers at Emma.

Or anything I might say would only do him more harm than good.

I mean, I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

I'm not sure.

Good.

God.

I'll tell you what the trouble is, Hardy.

I'm a weak man and you like to think that I'm strong.

I'm not.

I never was. I never will be.

But so I can be strong.

Yeah.

That's quite something else.

Nelson, the man who's hiding underneath all this stuff,

and the man who's hiding underneath all this,

and the hall of the blue and glory.

That Nelson's really rather weak and sinful.

Now, if it's strength, you won't take a look at Emma.

I know she may be all those things you dislike.

She may be what people call vulgar and garish.

By God.

She's strong.

That's why I love her, Hardy.

She has the strength of life itself.

In our arms, I can feel it.

I can feel the pulse of life in our Lord.

This is not what I wish to hear.

Hardy, don't turn away from it.

Don't be afraid of it.

Don't be afraid of the truth.

I was for years.

I deceived myself every waking moment.

Emma, not anymore.

Not since then.

She's my truth.

If you despise, you despise me as well.

Dear despised.

No, sir, of course not.

Don't say, of course not.

But it's meaningless to be the truth.

I have despised her, sir.

You know that.

But...

Perhaps...

I was wrong.

I can't help being what I am any more than you can, sir.

I'm sorry.

Yes.

Well...

It's late in the day, I know, but...

If you'd rather make other arrangements,

I'll see what I can do.

Other arrangements?

Would you rather we didn't sail together?

No, sir.

Absolutely not, you sure?

Yes, sir. Indeed, I am, sir.

I would find it intolerable to serve under anyone else.

Do it.

Oh, Tom, I'm so glad to hear you say it.

I'd be delighted.

I would find it most intolerable to sail without you.

Thank you, my lord.

How is it that you and I complimented you for the moment?

I think it must be, sir, that usually I'm a first lieutenant when you like to be captain.

And flag captain when you have a fancy for being humble.

Ha ha ha!

Oh, you're right, Tom. You're absolutely right.

Oh, come on, stop liking me under the water, not you.

You know perfectly well, Miss R

You know, I've been playing the part of the famous son.

You know, I'm just a stubborn middle-aged, rather venglorious man,

who loves nothing more than a stink in the dead of a good battle, wasn't it?

That's why I beg for it and I get on so well together.

We're both actors at heart.

Your Earth treat life as a great melon drama, and play it for all it's worth.

Not you, of course.

Are you different?

And that's good.

You're a first-class professional seaman, Tom.

And we both know I'll never match your skills at running a ship.

But I can make a fight.

By God, I can make a fight. I can make the blood run faster through the veins.

You wouldn't want to know when it was possible to enjoy a

dancing party ...

6 hours sleep.

Captain Hardy, good morning.

Mr. Beckford, you're up early.

Well, the truth is I haven't been to bed.

I love the night air in the autumn, the magical time.

I prefer to sleep during the day.

Captain Hardy, I wish to make my peace with you.

Please accept my deepest apologies.

I think we were both at fault, Mr. Beckford.

His lordship accused me of having no sense of humor.

He was probably right.

No, no, I wasn't joking. I meant to be cruel.

Your life is so full.

Despite everything, mine is empty.

My tongue was sharpened by envy.

I wish you ever success, Captain Hardy.

You must come to see my house when it's finished.

Some men fight battles, some build houses, and write books.

Here. My only brainchild.

It's called Vatek.

It's a story of a great caliph, a great leader,

loved and adored by his people,

who is driven by some strange demon to pursue a quest

that leads only to remorse, disillusion, and death.

Read it, Captain Hardy. Take it how you will.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Beckford.

What?

Every time I visited graduate

I was amused by the sight of so many efforts AND

cast an important time.

Hmm.

by the sight of so many empty pedestals.

Presumably offended by their nakedness

is lordship adordered all the new statues to be removed.

A curious act for a man so consumed by physical passion.

Bow, pop your own.

Afternoon, Radlo.

Afternoon, Radlo.

Afternoon, Radlo.

Afternoon, Radlo.

Afternoon, Radlo.

Afternoon, Radlo.

Afternoon, Radlo.

Afternoon, Radlo.

They seem to be living in a world of their own.

It's quite extraordinary.

Well, I suppose what he says is true.

To all intents and purposes, they are a man and wife.

Do you find her attractive?

Good God no.

Do you?

Well, yes.

I must confess it.

Really?

You amaze me, Blackwood.

Oh, no.

She's far too gross for my taste.

Oh, that overwhelming flesh.

Mind you, his lordship's choice of women has never been exactly

what you might call fastidious.

Lady Nelson accepted, of course.

He, um, he had a mistress in Livorno for some years.

Oh, yes, I know.

Ah.

Her name was Adelaide.

What he used to call her, Dolly.

Dolly.

I only met her twice.

Dreadful occasions, both of them.

He made an absolute fool of himself.

How?

Oh, you know, he's like Blackwood.

Ridiculous displays of affection.

Exchanging great vows of love in execable friends.

Ask Tom Freeman, he was there.

He'll tell you how embarrassing he was.

Oh, never mind.

You're safe now.

Far from the numerous snares of Merton Place.

I'll tell you one thing, Blackwood.

I think I've at last managed to fathom the nature of their devotion

to each other.

Oh, I think we've all managed to do that, aren't we?

Oh, no, no, no, no.

It's not what you were thinking.

I don't think it's only partly that.

Now, in my view, the passion they share is a boundless desire

for admiration.

She applauds him, and he bravos her.

In that respect, if nothing else, I suppose you could call it, um, a perfect match?

Well, you may well be right, indeed.

I'm sure you are.

And yet it seems to me that there's something people tend to overlook.

What's that?

The pain that this affair must have cost them both.

I mean, the embarrassment.

No, I mean pain.

He's a part of the sun, don't forget.

I mean, the very idea of a duntery must have, uh, must have terrified him.

Living in sin with another man's wife.

Such things are not even spoken of in a country for the rich.

It's a good few years since Lord Nelson saw the inside of a country for the rich.

No matter.

It's those years that count, Hardy.

It's those years that live with us right through to the grave.

Oh, yes.

There's been pain and plenty of it.

Remorse guilt, fear of hellfire and eternal damnation.

And yet for her, the folly of the flesh.

Perhaps not entirely that.

Really?

Yeah.

A friend of mine attended a dinner party last year,

which is Lord Chip and Lady Hamilton with a guest of honor.

The conversation turned to the definition of pleasure.

The things, uh, which please one most consistently throughout life.

Now, Lady Hamilton gave them out a lot of thought.

And she said, I think perhaps above all else, I love to surprise people.

I find that a most endearing answer.

Don't you?

Emma.

Just say the word.

I'll go to Lord Menfo. I'll tell him I need to rest.

Cole can command the fleet.

You must go.

You know you must.

His lordship left Merton Place at half past ten on the night of Friday,

the 13th of September, 1805.

It was strange that he should have chosen to travel on that particular day

for like most sailors.

Lord Nelson was a superstitious man.

And the fleet's now safe.

Guys, guys.

I had the cheers before, Harvey.

Now I have the hearts.

The last time I visited Merton Place was after the battle of Trafalgar.

I searched my heart for words of comfort.

What could I say to her?

When we heard the tower guns, we thought they were fireworks.

It was Guy Fawkes night.

A little later I heard a carriage in the drive.

I sent down to see who it was.

It's Mr. Whitby from the Admiralty.

Show him in, I said, quickly.

He stood over there by the door.

He was trembling and very pale.

He spoke so softly I could hardly hear what he was saying.

We have gained a great victory, he said.

Never mind that, I said.

Where are my letters?

Where are Nelson's letters?

He wiped.

He gazed at me and he went.

I believe I gave a scream and fell back.

And for ten hours after I could neither speak nor shed a tear.

Now there's nothing.

Just this terrible pain.

What am I going to do?

How can I exist?

He, um, he asked me to give you his shoes.

And a lock of his hair.

Where are they?

I left them outside in the hall.

There are some letters as well.

Please let me see them.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Can you tell me how it happened?

Well...

Well, it was a very fierce encounter.

We urged his lordship to stay out of the action for as long as possible, but of course he may.

He paid no attention.

We were on the quarter deck for Scott.

His lordship secretary was blown to pieces before our eyes.

Spent of bits to buckle off my shoe.

We smiled at them.

This is too warm work to last long.

We were walking down side by side.

He suddenly used on his knees.

They had done for me at last, he said.

My backbone is shot through.

He took him below immediately, but there was nothing that could be done to save him.

With his last breath...

He spoke with you.

Leave me Captain Hardy.

Please leave me alone.

Please leave me alone.

For the rest of her life, Lady Hamilton was faithful to Lord Nelson's memory.

Plagued by lawyers and ill-used by the government, she slipped deeper and deeper into debt.

My letters to her went unanswered.

Four years after Trafalgar, Paradise Merton was sown.

Her life ended in Calais, in a drab tenement where she had rented two rooms for herself and her daughter Horatio.

She died... penniless.

All that is now many years in the past.

Nevertheless, I can still recall his lordship's voice as he lay dying.

Remember that I leave Lady Hamilton and my daughter as a legacy to my country.

Perhaps it's one of the penalties of old age to be plagued by self-wit growth.

Should I, Tom Hardy, have done more to help?

Should this country have heeded Lord Nelson's dying wish?

Whatever the answer, one thing is now perfectly clear.

In this respect, we all of us sadly failed to do our duty.

Thank you.

Thank you.

.