Original subtitles

(Mine bell clangs)

Can scarce sleep at night, for dreaming ofthe lode and wanting to get back to her.

'Tis a miracle. A mine that do actually pay.

And notjust pay. Yields riches.

- Your gamble has paid off. - Our gamble.

There are soldiers in the village looking for men to enlist.

And we thought war couldn't touch us here.

(Horse whinnies, musket fire)

(Soldiers cry out)

(Cannons rumble)

He plays beautifully by himself.

Yet it's a lonely thing...

..to be an only child.

Oh... must it go?

I think Geoffrey Charles will miss it.

But my dear, this is where I hoped that my gift to you...

- Which? - A portrait of us both.

Painted by the celebrated John Opie.

You spoil me.

Hm.

(Knocks)

Would you excuse me, my dear?

How long will Uncle George stay, Mama?

Oh, sweetheart.

Uncle George lives here now.

You must think of him as your new papa.

- What be going on here? - Hop it!

- This be private land. - Since when?

Since Mr Warleggan be master here.

He can't do that. This is open land.

- No longer! - Aargh!

- (Woman shrieks) - Mr Warleggan will have 'ee hanged

if he sees thee here again.

Is...is that wise?

A man who owns land has the right to enclose it.

But... to use force needlessly is to court enemies.

Are you becoming squeamish?

I merely question the virtue of provoking one's neighbours.

Great or small.

Are you sure it was on Warleggan orders?

Look at Jory, look at Dan. Do you not recognise the handiwork?

You also tried to cross at Trenwith Land?

Warleggan thinks he can do as he please.

- He needs reining in. MAN: Hear, hear.

Well, who's to do it? The man owns halfthe county.

Them Frenchies have the right idea, eh, Dr Enys.

I used to think so.

What began as a just cause has since become a bloodbath.

'Twill happen here soon enough.

- (Laughter) - Mark my words.

Demelza!

Give me your hand.

Cast your mind back a 12 month.

How many times did we think all was lost?

You'd surely not wish to be back there again?

(Coins jingle and clatter)

Would I not, Ross?

(Ticking)

- Drink? - Regularly.

Wine?

Canary.

Appetite?

Voracious.

Urine?

Unusually sweet.

So Doctor Choake informs me.

- And his diagnosis? - Oh.

The fever then the gout.

Wasting disease. Tuberculosis infection.

You anything to add?

Only that I believe him to be utterly mistaken.

It is the sugar sickness.

The symptoms are unmistakable.

- What must I do? - Give up most ofthe things you eat and drink.

Wine especially.

And that'll cure me, will it?

No. But it may prolong your life.

Will my life be worth living? It hardly sounds like it.

- Doctor Enys? - Hm?

You and I did not part as friends.

So I'm all the more obliged to you for coming.

But I feel it only fair to tell you that...

Caroline will shortly be engaged to Lord Coniston...

..eldest son of Earl Windermere.

I congratulate Miss Penvenen.

I do hope this information will not now distress you.

Not in the least, sir.

I bid you good day.

Are you quite clear, Dr Enys, what you are signing up for?

The duration ofthe war? Which you assure me will be long, desperate and bloody.

I may not return to these shores for years.

Or indeed, at all.

Where do I sign?

(Grunts)

I wonder, is it wise to seek more confrontation?

Is there or is there not some doubt over the legality ofthis arrangement?

Ah, my dear. The sale of Geoffrey Charles's shares in Wheal Grace.

We fear it might have been fraudulent.

Do you recall Ross mentioning any new shareholders?

You must know I have had no dealings with Ross since before our marriage.

Of course, my dear. Do not distress yourself. Leave me to deal with the matter.

Dear Poldark...

as you are a trustee of Francis's estate,

perhaps you might shed light on certain recent transactions

which appear troubling.

Dear Warleggan, as you are not a trustee of Francis's estate,

I do not considerthe business in any way concerns you.

Dear Poldark, it may have escaped your notice that Elizabeth and I are now married.

In attending to Francis's estate, I am merely trying to take the burden off her.

She has been unwell and would prefer to meet you at Trenwith

if you could trouble yourselfto attend.

(Door unbolted and opens)

These are pleasant times, Nephew.

No peasant safe from assault?

Or is thatjust our house?

You need not remain here, Aunt.

Come and live at Nampara.

And let that upstart win?

(Scoffs)

We need not take much of your time, provided you can supply sufficient explanation.

Where's Elizabeth?

Resting. We can complete the business without her.

I think not. She is co-trustee in his estate.

I shall do nothing without her presence.

Well, she has signed a power of attorney so that I may act on her behalf.

At her request.

Since she wants nothing more to do with you.

- Shall we get on? - Hm.

The half share in Wheal Grace,

held on behalf of Mrs Warleggan's son, Geoffrey Charles,

- disposed of at the beginning ofthe year. - What of it?

We're not satisfied that the transaction was legal.

It was legal.

Mrs Poldar...

Mrs Warleggan received £600 on behalf of her son for a half share in a worthless mine.

And who was so foolish as to pay her that sum?

I was.

In January, Elizabeth was in dire straits.

Having persuaded Francis to sink his last £600 into the mine,

I felt duty bound to give it back to Elizabeth.

Knowing she would not accept the money as a gif,

I devised a strategy to do so without her knowing.

GEORGE: But circumstances have since changed.

- What you took from Elizabeth and her son... - Purchased.

..is now worth more than what you gave for it.

Should you now not return the half share ofthis successful mine

into the custody ofthe child's trustees?

In other words...you.

As his adopted father, naturally I would manage his affairs.

Last January, had the Wheal Grace stock come on to the market,

it would not have fetched £10.

The mine was finished.

We kept her going through winter.

And with our bare hands we reopened her after a catastrophic rock fall.

We risked everything we had, George.

And against all odds, we struck tin.

So now, I deem the profit mine...

..not Elizabeth's.

Not Geoffrey Charles's.

And most especially not yours.

So unless you have anything else to add...

Only that you may wish to consider how poorly this reflects on you.

A man who cheats his young ward.

Up to now, I have offered no violence.

But if you persist...

You would not dare lay a finger on me.

Because your army of servants will protect you?

Go back to your scullery maid.

Kemp! Harry! Triggs! In here now!

Get this man out of my house!

Your house? Your house?

This is Geoffrey Charles's house!

I can walk. I can walk!

JEREMY: Aaaah! - Good...

A mild colic. I'll mix him a sedative.

- Come to old Prudie, Master Jeremy. - Go on, then.

See what she have for you now.

- You'll stay until Ross returns? - Of course.

I have some news.

I've applied for a post as a surgeon in the Navy.

I expect to leave any day.

- Oh, but, Dwight... - I must gain more experience.

And the war will surely supply that.

And besides, I've had news of Caroline.

- She's to be married. - To a Lord Coniston.

- I'm that sorry. - I'm not.

It was the spur I needed to put her behind me.

But you did love her.

We would never have been happy.

We're too dissimilar.

Judas. What happened?

It's a scratch.

Nothing compared to what I gave Ross.

I hope he will have learnt his lesson.

Are you angry?

Little boys fighting?

- He was offensive. - (Scoffss)

About someone other than myself.

I can scarce believe we're losing Dwight.

Nor I.

It makes me wonder if I should go.

Why? Cos your dearest friend is running away, so must you?

Because I'm a soldier.

And if my regiment requires me...

Obviously the thought of leaving you and Jeremy...

It wouldn't be the first time you've considered such a thing.

How was Elizabeth?

She avoided me.

- And you've avoided her. - What would you have me do?

I'd have you be honest, Ross.

To her. To me. To yourself.

Am I not honest?

Where am I not honest now?

Go to war, Ross. Play soldiers.

Or stay home and save all of Cornwall.

What it is to be married to such a great man.

Letter come. And Mr Ross d'ride to Truro.

(Clears throat) There. You hold that.

My dear Demelza, as my time draws near ,

I am both excited and afeared in equal measure.

And with Andrew away at sea, I begin to miss my Nampara cousins most dreadfully.

How I wish I had your strength to see me through.

How fortunate you are to have Ross always at your side.

Yes, how fortunate.

Rejoin your regiment? Just as your mine begins to prosper and your family is secure?

It's because we're secure that I'd consider going.

Obviously, I'd need to put my affairs in order first.

Beginning with George. He's contesting the sale of my nephew's shares in Wheal Grace.

The deal was entirely legal. But that may not deter him.

He has the funds to finance a lawsuit and to drag it out for years.

I've had my fill of court.

But what could be his purpose?

To get his hands on Grace the way he did Leisure. Especially now she prospers.

Which reminds me.

- My mystery benefactor. - Yes?

I wish to repay him.

So tell me his name.

- You recall the loan was given in confidence. - Oh, come, Harris.

I cannot go away to war without thanking him in person. So who is he?

Well, as to that...

I don't recall ever mentioning a "he"... at all.

Caroline Penvenen?

Dwight must have told her about our business.

Is that not astonishing?

I dare say she's taken a fancy to you.

I'm a married man.

- And that would make all the difference? - Oh, Demelza.

It was one night.

How long will it take you to forgive me?

I don't know, Ross.

How long would it take you to forgive me?

That's hardly the same. You would never do a thing which required my forgiveness.

Are you sure?

When?

Werry House. After the ball, Captain McNeil came to my room.

How could he dare?

Because I invited him.

After your antics with Elizabeth, I decided I might have a turn myself.

A turn?

- How far did you...? - Oh, kisses, caresses.

- And then I sent him away. - Good God, Demelza. Was that not enough?

I tell you, I do not admire you for this.

It does you no credit. Nor me neither.

What credit did your night with Elizabeth do me?

- That's entirely different. - How is it different?

I take no pride in my visit to her.

It was the outcome of a devotion which, on my side, lasted ten years!

Not some tawdry little passion worked up over a glass of port

with some opportunist soldier who took what was on offer.

That is precisely not what was on offer. I did not permit him.

How do I know what you permitted?

You're right, Ross. How do you know?

Ifyou trust me not and I trust you not, then what is the point in this marriage at all?

I entirely agree.

What is the point?

DEMELZA: Right, let's get going.

JUD: At this time of night?

Welcome, ma'am. My father is at sea so has asked me to be here in his stead.

- We expect the confinement any day. - Oh, Verity!

This is a turnabout.

Andrew insisted I was not to be left unattended, but that she should be the one to come.

Ross? I came to tell you...

Ross?

- You surely don't intend...? - Am I not a soldier?

With a family, a prosperous mine, a settled life.

But perhaps that's the problem. You're so blessed you've nothing to fight for.

What does Demelza say?

- Does she even know? - She will know soon enough.

Whenever she returns.

Dwight... (Clears his throat)

..I must tell you... my mysterious benefactor...

..is Caroline.

How? Why would she...?

I can only apologise if I spoke too freely ofyour business affairs.

I can only express my gratitude that you did.

I owe you both more than I can say.

Together you saved me and in return...

I can assure you, I have no regrets.

And nor, it appears, does Caroline.

And now we may be brothers in arms.

My...er...my posting is through.

HMS Travail. I leave for Plymouth tomorrow.

God speed.

And good luck.

She's growing used to me.

Am I not the luckiest ofwomen?

- The most deserving. - And you?

Lord knows what I deserve.

How is Ross?

At war with himself. And the idea of George at Trenwith.

I too struggle with the idea of my family home in the hands of a Warleggan.

But Elizabeth has made her choice.

(Gasps in pain)

It's nothing. It's like cramp.

It's been happening since last night.

It may not be nothing.

(Urges on horses)

♪ Some say the devil's dead...

♪ An' buried in Fowey harbour

♪ Some say he'm alive again

♪ An' wedded to a barber...

- Stand and deliver! - (Screams)

(Continues screaming)

(Chuckles)

Captain Poldark. What a treat.

Yet I see no flags out for your visit.

They put the flags out when I leave!

Tell me all the news of Cornwall.

My dear Elizabeth, this news has made me the happiest of men.

- So, what brings you to London? - I need to see justice done.

My mine has begun to prosper.

It was your loan which enabled me to keep it open till we struck tin.

- My loan? - There's no point denying it.

So now, you stand accused ofwilfully saving

three people from the worst disaster bankruptcy can bring.

- And what is my sentence? - To bear the brunt of my eternal gratitude.

And to shortly take receipt of repayment in full.

So, instead ofthanking me,

you should be congratulating me on my shrewd business sense.

I believe congratulations of another sort are due.

Your engagement to Lord Coniston.

Arthur has made me several offers of marriage which I have so far declined.

May I ask why?

The usual capriciousness of my sex.

And, presumably, you do not love him.

As you say, I do not love him.

In fact, it's probable you still love Dwight Enys.

Since you left, he has been unable to settle.

Oh, and he has no idea I'm here.

And had he known, he would certainly have forbidden me.

But I thought you should know that he has joined the Navy.

(Man plays a jig on his fiddle)

(Ribald laughter)

(Lively chatter)

- Doctor Enys, welcome to the Navy. - Thank you.

Let me get you a drink.

Douglas?

- Why have you come here? - To ask you why you left Cornwall.

And why you refused Dwight a second chance

after he explained what happened the night ofthe ambush.

Did you not see him? In the weeks before we were due to elope?

He behaved as if he were contemplating something shameful.

Deserting his beloved patients in the middle ofthe night for the fleshpots of Bath.

Could you not have returned to Cornwall? Defied your uncle?

Lived in a cottage? Dined on sprats?

In asking Dwight to leave Cornwall, I was expecting too much of him.

Since I have left Cornwall, I have realised I was asking too much of myself.

So, in effect, your love could not surmount the obstacles?

In effect, it could not.

Why do I not believe you?

What has he done?

Are you most troubled by the thing itself or something more?

It's the thing itself.

No, 'tis more. 'Tis...

It's the running away from it.

Hiding from what has passed and the refusal to look it in the face and stand the consequence.

But...isn't that what you are doing? Even now?

- What would you have me do? - Oh, Demelza. I cannot instruct you.

I do not even know the deed.

But reason cannot guide you.

Only the heart.

And sometimes what the heart dictates makes no sense at all.

Yet it must be followed.

- Did 'ee miss I? - Miss 'ee? You black worm.

Leaving I alone to fend off villains and footpads. Fat lot of use you are!

You lizardy louse!

Where be the maid?

- Left us at Bargus Crossroad. - Bound for where?

Nowhere that'll do her any good.

(Chatter)

Excuse me. Ross!

(Laughter)

- Are you a figment of my imagination? - I hope not.

I'm here to see my colonel.

- Thought I'd look you up. - I'm astonished.

Well, I'm ravenous. When do we dine?

Is Demelza well?

She didn't say. I've been in London.

What on earth took you there?

Caroline.

I went to thank her for the loan.

And to congratulate her on her engagement.

Which I wasn't able to do since it turns out there's no such event.

Er...I don't understand.

I also made mention of her uncle's ill health which may account for her decision to visit him.

- Whether there's another purpose... - What? So, Caroline's...

Where is she?

Standing just behind you.

Does Ross know you're here?

Is Ross my keeper?

Why have you come?

I thought 'twas to tell you that I hate you.

You've marred my faith. You've broke my marriage.

That I envy you.

The passion which you rouse that Ross could not withstand.

That I pity you.

Cos you could never make up your mind.

Now I wonder...what do any of it matter?

What you did - Ross did -

it cannot be undone.

And you both must live with that.

But I need not.

What will you do?

I'll take my son...

..and I'll go back to my father's house.

- You would leave Ross? - I will no longer be ruled by what he did.

You're welcome to him.

Believe me, I do not lightly meddle in other people's affairs.

That's been Demelza's way.

And often I've chided her for it.

But lately, I've come around to her way ofthinking.

She would say that iftwo people love each other...

then the obstacles which keep them apart must be substantial.

Else they lack the courage oftheir convictions.

I think she would also say life holds very few things which are genuinely worth having.

And if you possess them then... nothing else matters.

And if you don't possess them then...

..everything else is worthless.

And yet, to gamble on the unknown...

Is not all life a gamble? And does the gambler always come offworst?

I suspect that those who suffer most are the ones that ignore their heart's desires...

and spend the rest oftheir lives regretting it.

Now, no doubt, you hate me.

And now, no doubt, I hate you.

(Gunshot)

Aargh!

Did you fire that gun? Judas! You might have killed me.

What do you mean by firing without checking there's folk about?

Orders, Missus. Shoot all folk who's straying.

Now be off before I fire again.

Captain Ross Poldark of his Majesty's 62nd Regiment of Foot.

Fences, my ivers. Never needed 'em in my day.

- World's gone to pot. 'Tis a crying disgrace. - 'Tis.

- What happened? - 'Tis just a scratch. 'Tis all.

- That luggard Tom Harry. - He never shot at thee?

- On the path by Trenwith. - On Warleggan's orders.

- I'll give him orders. - Nay, Jud.

I want no more feuding between our families.

Tell no-one ofthis. Least of all Ross.

- Let me bind it for thee, maid. - I can manage.

Say nothing.

Have you really captured me, Doctor Enys?

- You understand this changes nothing. - It changes everything.

Caroline, I'm going to war.

It'd be foolish to pretend there's no risk. Ifthe worst should happen...

Why would you speak of such things?

Because I must.

Because you are enlisting in an adventure every bit as fraught as my own

and you must know what you are putting your name to.

I am putting my name aside and taking that ofthe man that I love.

How long do we have?

I sail on the morning tide.

So these are our last few hours.

They are.

Where is your room?

JUD: He closed off our land. - (Shouts of agreement)

- He gave her a twagging. - An' old Prudie.

- He tried to murder I. - Have Cap'n Ross hang.

And now he's gone and shot the mistress.

(Angry shouts)

We should set a ring around Trenwith and burn it to the ground!

(Cries of agreement)

- Who's with me? - (Cries of agreement)

- Why didn't you stop him? - Stop him? Why?

'Twas I that told him to go.

George Warleggan do think he can throw his weight around

and tramp common folk beneath his boot.

But fire at thee? 'Tis too much.

Prudie, what have you done?

(Chanting and shouting)

I think in January we'll settle in town.

Trenwith is so out ofthe way and I must be on hand to keep an eye on the new building.

- The Warleggan bank? - Hm.

We start demolishing those unsightly hovels next month.

Of course, my prime concern is for you.

(Door opens)

- What do you want? - To tell you to bar your doors.

There's unrest in the village. They may march on Trenwith.

You expect me to believe this?

(Sighs) I have no love of you, George. Nor you, Elizabeth.

But for the sake of Geoffrey Charles and Agatha, I urge you.

A mob would be ill-advised to trespass here. They would be breaking the law

- and I would see to it that they hang. - Ifthey didn't string you up first!

- Is that a threat? - It's a plea.

For him to come to his senses.

- Did Ross send you? - How could he? He'll be on his way to France.

My informers tell me he has rejoined his regiment.

Oh, surely he hasn't snuck away without telling you?

But perhaps having tasted defeat at home, he's gone to vent his rage on a different enemy.

- Defeat? - As you see.

His foe is in possession ofthe field.

Of his ancestral home, ofthe woman he loved.

And in March, the rout will be complete when Elizabeth gives birth to a Warleggan heir.

I look forward to Ross's congratulations.

If he ever returns.

But don't let me keep you from your scullery.

Perhaps you should barricade yourself in yours.

- To what purpose? - To save yourselffrom being lynched.

(Angry shouting in distance)

Tankard. Harry! Triggs, Kemp!

(Jud cries out)

(Chanting and shouting)

Paul! Jud! Don't do this. Not for me.

I beg 'ee! Lead them home. There's women and children inside.

IfWarleggan have no care for ours, why should we care for his?

Don't do this. Save yourselves. They have weapons.

- So do we! - And it's time to see him taste his own medicine!

Be advised. We have firearms and won't hesitate to use them.

Come on, then. Come on!

Don't tempt me, Mr Paynter.

I would dearly love to send you to the devil.

As 'ee tried to do once before. An' see how well that worked.

They'll be no second coming for you this time.

Take aim.

No! Stop!

These people are your neighbours. Why do you treat them so?

They are threatening my family and must take the consequences.

- Stop this! - (Gunshot)

(Silence descends)

Lost our nerve, have we? Didn't fancy the battlefields of France?

My servant informed me of one closer to home.

And on which side will you fight, Ross?

For the civilised world? Or the revolution?

On the side that stands for humanity.

Which would seem to preclude yours.

So what do you intend? To incite a riot? Quite your speciality.

These people need no inciting.

They would happily tear you limb from limb.

- (Cries of agreement) - And with good cause.

- But they would pay for it. - What care us?

It would be worth every penny.

I urge you to go home.

Do not give this man reason to see you hang.

You have families.

Wives. Children.

They are worth ten ofthis sorry excuse for a man.

Now, go home.

Go home.

Should you notjoin your comrades?

Have a care, George.

Do you really want to provoke me?

You know I could call them back in an instant. At any time.

(Scoffs) And this is what you came back for?

No.

Caroline?

Oh, my dear. It's so nice to see you...here. I'm...I'm all amazement.

I've come back to care for you, Uncle.

- Aww. - Now tell me what Doctor Enys prescribes.

Here is his list of instructions.

I'm beginning to think I misjudged that young man.

You, of course, don't waste a moment's thought on him, do you, eh?

Not a single one, Uncle.

(Thunder rumbles)

I trust you know we were never in any actual danger.

Ross thought to scare us but, in the end, he was forced to back down.

I've been thinking of Harrow.

For Geoffrey Charles.

He's still overly attached to his Mama. We must toughen him up.

You mean send him away?

To one ofthe best schools in the country.

But he's so young. And he will miss it here.

- And I... - Will have our child to attend to.

Geoffrey Charles has had you all to himself.

And now he must learn to be a man.

(Thunder rumbles, wind whistles)

(Sighs) So she's with child.

George must be exultant.

To be in my family's home and in full possession of...

Everything you hold dear.

Not everything. But many things I hold dear.

You'll get over it.

Demelza?

What are you doing?

I'm taking Jeremy... to my father's house.

From there, who knows?

You're leaving me?

I came back for you. I chose not to go to war.

(Scoffs) 'Tis not my concern what you choose.

Only what I choose.

Why would I choose a man whose heart belonged to another?

- You are my wife. - Raised from the gutter to be a great lady.

I'll never be such a one.

But what do I care?

For I am fierce and proud and steadfast and true.

And I'll not settle for second best.

Why would you be?

Because you love Elizabeth. Because you will always love Elizabeth.

Because you cannot conceal your pain that George now possesses her body and soul.

Do you deny it?

I do not deny that I loved her.

Long before I set eyes on you, she was my first...

..perfect...

..untouchable love.

Whereas I am dull, imperfect and ordinary.

Not ordinary. But, yes, imperfect.

Human.

Real.

And what that night with Elizabeth taught me...

and God knows, there should have been other ways for me to come to my senses,

but my arrogance...

my idiocy...

..has been spectacular.

All I can say is...

after that night...

because of it...

I came to see that if you take an idealised love...

..and bring it down to the level of an imperfect one...

..it isn't the imperfect one which suffers.

My true, real...

..and abiding love is not for her.

'Tis for you.

She will never come between us again.

What did you expect?

When you made a pact with the devil?

- (Thunderclap) - I hoped, still hope...

..that George may be more accommodating, once his child is born.

He may.

But are you willing to wait that long?

March is not so far away.

Unless it comes sooner.

What?

The child.

Why should it?

(Thunder rumbles)