Poldark

BELL CHIMES

I thought this day would never come.

Expectations are high.

Pray God we don't disappoint them.

Aye.

A pleasant change - to see a mine opening!

For how long, I wonder?

My friends, when my father closed this mine 20 years ago,

he little thought it would have a future.

Today, with your help, labour and good wishes,

we aim to prove him wrong.

Gentlemen, ladies, I declare the Wheal Leisure Mine open.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

'Tis a grand thing 'ee done, Ross.

Thank you, Ross!

~ Zacky. Mark. ~ Can't thank 'ee enough.

Then don't. If all goes well, it's I who'll be thanking you.

Sir...

Thank you.

I'm that glad, sir!

For the miners an' their families - an' for 'ee, sir!

My neck's on the line. Are you glad about that?

Oh, no, sir! What shall I do if it come to grief?

Are the rumours true, do you think?

He's a damned fool if they're not!

I take it you've forgiven him?

He saved your life.

Time for you to demonstrate it wasn't wasted.

I've no mine to resurrect.

You have one to keep alive!

Start by stemming the leakage of workers from our mine to his!

That is easier said than done.

Our wages are hardly an incentive to stay.

HE SCOFFS

SHE WINCES

We will have iron ladders down the main shaft.

~ Iron? ~ Wood rots.

It'll cost you.

Better me than a man's life.

Two shafts have been sunk, but it's hard going.

We struck ironstone almost at once.

~ We may yet require gunpowder. ~ More expense?

Aye, but don't be discouraged.

Where there's ironstone, there's often copper.

There. You mark that?

Chase that and we'll hope to catch copper.

MAN AND WOMAN ARGUE

Judas! I can hear 'ee kickin' up a dido three mile away!

~ 'Tis this great buffle 'ead! ~ Hush yer creenin', woman!

You'd think cheese wouldn't choke 'ee!

Be she who started it!

Mr Ross's rum again?

He won't miss it! His 'ead be fair full 'o the mine.

He's gone an' breaked me arm!

Let's see.

SHE WINCES

'Tis only a sprain -

but 'ee'll not be fit to cook vittles this three week.

'Ee mun' step into th' breach, then!

It's all right, child - Prudie'll instruct 'ee.

Talk o' the blind leadin' the blind!

Don't just stand there -

brew us a dish o' tea while I rest me broken wing!

BELL CLANGS

~ Ross, have 'ee got a minute? ~ By all means.

Young Jim...

What's he been up to now?

My Jinny.

Poaching's a capital offence.

Believe me, I'm acquainted with the niceties of the law.

'Tis not for my sake, Ross, 'tis for me mother an' sisters.

~ I can't see 'em starve. ~ And Jinny?

Sir?

Is her welfare of equal concern to you?

Her father tells me she is with child.

Yes, sir, an' I mean to do right by 'er when I can afford it.

Dammit, man, the girl's frantic! Why didn't you come to me before?

Why, Ross, but what could 'ee do?

It wants some small repairs.

But nothin' a' pay?

You'd be doing me a favour, keeping it clean and dry.

'Tis more than we could ever 'ave hoped.

Well, then, that's settled.

So, now what's your excuse?

Sir?

Don't keep the girl waiting!

Be off to her father - and while you're at it,

see Reverend Odgers about getting the banns read.

And get rid of those nets. Let's have no more poaching.

So, Prudie's recovery may take some time.

Happen a month or so, sir.

Have her delay it as long as possible.

MUSICIANS PLAY, GENERAL CHATTER

I wish you could forget him, my dear.

Is love so easy to forget?

Forgive me.

I didn't mean... I didn't mean to suggest...

SHE INHALES SHARPLY

SHE GASPS IN PAIN

SHE RINGS THE BELL

Mrs Tabb, send for Dr Choake.

I wonder you do not think of marriage, Captain Poldark?

I dare say I shall, in due course.

Always remembering the purpose for which it was ordained?

In particular...?

As a remedy against sin.

And to avoid fornication.

~ We can't thank 'ee enough. ~ Any man would do the same.

"Any man" would not.

~ The only son. ~ An' since his father bit the dust...

There's next to nothing coming into the household.

SHE BREATHES HEAVILY

SHE MOANS

SHE PANTS AND GASPS

SHE GROANS IN PAIN

MUSICIANS PLAYING

A grandson!

The line continues.

Well done, my boy!

Thank Elizabeth. She did the work.

Ah, women! They make a song and dance about it,

but if things are properly managed...

A new Poldark!

DEMELZA SINGS MERRILY

LOUD SNORING

DOOR SLAMS SHUT

A letter...

A letter come from Trenwith.

Francis and Elizabeth have a son.

Ah! Ross.

We were just saying, any man opening a mine

these days must be exceptionally brave or extremely foolish!

How so?

In these dire economic times...

Which might be less dire, were they not in the hands of those

whose only purpose is to make a profit.

What other purpose is there?

Perhaps you should ask those who exist on starvation wages.

Perhaps if you fraternised less with the lower orders,

you'd feel their woes less keenly.

One does feel that the gentry

and the vulgars should keep to themselves.

Otherwise it just gets so confusing.

Good day.

Have we been introduced? I seem to recall you're related to me(!)

Forgive me, Aunt. I've had much to attend to of late. How are you?

How should I be, with Mistress Glumps for company?

Verity is well rid of that scoundrel, Blamey.

I trust you've learnt the folly of interference?

It won't be repeated, I assure you, Uncle.

What do you make of my grandson?

Please...

A fine-looking boy, is he not?

Like his father.

~ And his mother? ~ I congratulate you both.

Please.

Ah, George...

You look pale.

I've been stronger.

I'd hoped you'd be named godfather.

But Francis and George are inseparable these days.

Look at Geoffrey Charles!

He's smiling at you!

I can't imagine why!

Elizabeth?

GLASS CLINKS

Ladies and gentlemen.

This is a proud day for the Poldarks.

Behold, the future - Geoffrey Charles Poldark,

heir to the great Trenwith estate.

And when I have taken leave of this world

and Francis has taught the boy all he knows...

.. our great Poldark dynasty

will continue and...

HE GASPS IN PAIN

~ This wind... Damn me! ~ Dr Choake, quickly!

Father!

Carry him through. Come on.

On a Christening day?

And the child named after him?

'Tis a sign, mark my words.

HE MOANS SOFTLY

Of course, a gentleman knows where to draw the line.

Towards a lady of his own class,

his intentions should be strictly honourable.

Towards a woman of the lower class, however...

Oh, indeed, it's all very disagreeable, but men are men.

We paid a call some months ago.

There was the hussy - already beginning to put on airs.

I saw her riding to church, bold as brass,

~ all fligged up in her scarlet cloak! ~ It's too bad!

It tarnishes the family name

and my Elizabeth will undoubtedly suffer...

Proof, if proof were needed,

that Ross Poldark is no gentleman.

HE YELLS AT HORSE

Good night, my darling boy.

My poor wife, neglected as usual.

How is your father?

Rallying.