"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 leading' 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... (That shouldn't take long.)" ".. 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." "Despite Choake's efforts!" "You look very lovely, my dear." "Perhaps another night, I still feel a little weak." "You seemed most... animated this afternoon." "Hmm?" "With Ross." "That's hardly fair." ""Oh, Ross, look at my baby." "See how he smiles at you." ""Don't you wish he was yours?"" "How can you say that?" "!" "Of course." "Ross would never even think such a thing." "No, I'm sure he would not!" "DOOR SLAMS, BABY CRIES" "Listening at key-holes?" "I've been tending to Father." "No doubt you take Elizabeth's side." "Against whom?" "Or Ross's!" "I take no-one's side." "Had it been left to him, you would be in Falmouth now, living with that scoundrel in shame and misery." "I don't regard marriage as misery." "That's because you have yet to experience it." "(For which I have you to thank.)" "DOG BARKS" "(Jim?" ")" "FOOTSTEPS RETREAT" "'Jim's a good man,' and it's good he should want to provide for his family, but not with poaching." "It's too dangerous." "Could 'ee maybe ask Captain Ross to tell him to stop?" "Mr Ross?" "Can I speak to 'ee, sir?" "Mr Ross, sir?" "FAINT SNORING" "Sir?" "Mr Ross?" ""Wee-al..." ""Weel..." "Well..." ""Wheal..." ""Leesh..." "Lie-sur."" "Demelza?" "Cap'n Poldark, sir?" "Do 'ee need me?" "A heart stroke?" "But Choake says you'll recover." "Choake's a fool." "And I am not immortal." "So, this is your chance." "To do what?" "Step up to the mark." "You do recall we have a mine?" "Yes, but..." "It requires presence - direction, leadership." "Yours." "Yours!" "I know little of..." "Learn - fast." "If your cousin continues to pay decent wages, we'll soon have no-one left at Grambler." "Take a leaf out of your cousin's book." "'Does he keep his distance?" "'Does he watch from afar?" "'Or does he roll up his sleeves and toil alongside his men?" "'" "Good day to you all." "'Which do you think will yield the better result?" "'" "How much longer do you think before we eat?" "And perhaps if there's some bread..." "And maybe some... .. ale." "Have you eaten?" "I do sometimes forget to, sir." "Eat now." "Sit." "You've finished the lower field?" "Yes, sir." "And tomorrow I be startin' on the meadow." "You get through more in a day than Prudie in a month!" "I be young, sir." "And strong..." "And not bone idle." "I heard Jinny was over." "How is she?" "In truth, sir, she's that worried." "~ About what?" "~ Jim and his poaching'." "I thought perhaps 'ee could tell him to stop." "I'll do more than that." "I've a better job for him - assistant purser at the mine." "Oh, Jinny'll be that glad!" "DOG BARKS" "Why must 'ee go?" "We don't need nothin' more." "Cap'n Poldark do give 'ee work and this cottage and..." "'Tis not just for we, Jinny." "Cap'n Poldark do help us, but I can't ask him to help my mother and sisters." "And since Father be gone, who else is going to put bread in their mouths but I?" "She'd not wish 'ee to take such risk." "There'll be no more after tonight." "'Ee have my word." "I won't be long." "Y'know I love you." "~ Demelza, do we have any of that...?" "~ Brandy, sir?" "Last of that hid in the cupboard from France?" "Exactly so." "~ Anythin' else?" "~ Yes." "If you could somehow avoid the inference that I'm utterly predictable?" "Yes, sir." "I'll try, sir." "JIM COUGHS" "TWIGS SNAP" "Oi!" "GUNSHOT" "KNOCK ON DOOR" "JINNY SOBS" "I shouldn't have waited!" "I should have made him the offer last night." "What will 'ee do?" "Visit Sir Hugh Bodrugan, the owner of the pheasants." "Ross Poldark!" "Are you joining the hunt, sir?" "Thank you, no." "But I would be grateful for five minutes of your time." "What can I do for you?" "The poacher taken last night on your land." "As magistrate, you'll have hearing of the case." "~ He's an employee of mine." "~ Is he, by God." "I would happily make good any loss if he could be let off with a severe warning." "Blast me, sir, he's on his way to Truro gaol." "~ I had him committed for trial at eight o'clock this morning." "~ You were in haste, sir." "There was no time to lose - the hunt starts at nine." "It's a damned disgrace, the amount of good game going lost of late." "Hanging's barely good enough for the villain!" "HORN SIGNALS START OF HUNT" "'They disgust me, my own class.'" "Not all of them, but... most." "~ How is it, sir, that 'ee be not like 'em?" "~ Perhaps I am." "No." "No, sir." "They don't see us like you do." "As folk with hurts and feelings, same as they." "Sometimes I fail to see that, too, Demelza." "Sometimes I barely see what's right in front of me." "He's just a lad, sir." "They mun' sure let him go." "You would think so." "Is Jinny ready?" "She can't go, Ross. 'Tis 'er time." "JINNY WAILS" "Bring him safe home, Ross." "'.." "Has been unemployed by you' in soliciting that pardon from the Almighty which I trust your prayers may obtain through the merits of your redeemer, whose first attribute is mercy." "It now only remains to me to pass the dreadful sentence of the law, which is to transportation." "JEERING Take him away." "HE POUNDS GAVEL" "What was his crime?" "Poaching." "A word, sir?" "Oh..." "Don't tell me." "More funds required?" "No, another matter entirely." "You treated Jim Carter when he worked at Wheal Reath?" "Convulsive asthma - a morbid condition of the lungs." "Did for his father, as I recall." "Why do you ask?" "Only with evidence of ill health and testament of good character," "I'd hope we could get the charge dismissed." "Dismissed?" "!" "I doubt his lungs would survive a stint in gaol." "To be frank with you, sir, I've no great sympathy for your aims." "No good will come of being sentimental about such folk." "They're a different breed, sir." "A different breed!" "Call James Carter!" "MURMURING" "Will you join me?" "I have an estate to run." "One game won't hurt." "So, he was caught red-handed?" "And according to Sir Hugh, there's scarcely a pheasant left in his woods." "You may stand down." "Is there any defence in this case?" "May I ask the indulgence of the court?" "You have some evidence you wish to give in this man's defence?" "I wish to give evidence of his good character." "He's my servant." "Take the witness stand, sir." "MURMURING GROWS LOUDER" "HE POUNDS GAVEL" "No doubt, on the evidence you've heard, you will see nothing exceptional in this case." "In your long experience I'm sure there are many such cases - especially in times when hunger, poverty and sickness prevail amongst the poor." "Keep to the matter in hand, sir." "I've reason to believe that the accused fell into bad company with an older man who has so far escaped punishment." "He has a wife... .. a mother and four sisters to support." "Evidence, sir?" "Pertaining to the crime itself?" "I have it on the authority of Dr Choake of Sawle that Jim Carter is suffering from a chronic lung condition which may prove fatal." "I myself am prepared to stand surety for his future employ and good behaviour." "Is it your contention, sir, that the prisoner is not in a fit state of health to go to prison?" "It is, sir." "And furthermore, this very day he will become a father for the first time." "GASPING AND MURMURING" "HE POUNDS GAVEL" "The prisoner was ill when he went poaching?" "He's been ill for some time." "And his wife has been with child "for some time"?" "It appears to me that if a man is well enough to go poaching, he's well enough to take the consequences - whether or not it adversely affects his wife and child." "PRUDIE:" "And when 'ee get home, there be calves to be meated and..." "Who be this 'ere, then?" "That be the maid's father." "DEMELZA:" "What can he be wanting?" "So..." "'Ee be 'ere still?" "And content, too, Father." "And I 'ope you are, too." "Take a look at me, Daughter." "What do 'ee see?" "What's happened?" "I be married." "The Widow Chegwidden have raised me up and brought me out to meet the Lord." "Meanin' what?" "Meanin' farewell drink and livin' in sin." "We live a good life now, Daughter." "And we be fixin' to have 'ee back." "'Tis a fine woman I've married, child." "And we do think 'ee be better with we than staying' 'ere exposed to all temptations of... flesh and the devil." ""Temptations"?" "!" "'Ee do know of what I speak." "Confess, Daughter, what sin there is 'twixt you and Poldark." "There's no sin!" "He's my master and I'm his servant." "And more besides, if tales be true." "~ What's it to me what folks say?" "~ Nought to 'ee maybe, but I want no daughter of mine mixed up in such talk!" "Since when were 'ee so tender of me?" "Since the Lord ope'd my heart and shone His light!" "So I give 'ee a day to make it right wi' Poldark, and then I'll be back here again to fetch 'ee home." "THEY WHISPER" "INDISTINCT" "You paint a vivid picture of the hardships endured by the poor, sir." "Still, a man's need should not determine his honesty, else all beggars would be thieves." "GROANING" "However, in view of these extenuating circumstances and your testimony of Carter's good character, the court is prepared to take a more lenient view." "MURMURING" "Sentenced to two years' imprisonment." "GASPING AND GROANING" "Well, I trust I shall never have the misfortune to have the "leniency" of the court extended to me!" "Have a care, Mr Poldark." "Such remarks are not entirely outside the court's jurisdiction." "No." "Only mercy enjoys that privilege." "One moment, sir." "You take issue with the laws of this land?" "I can't help but feel that, in this case, justice would have been best served by clemency." "Happily for justice, this court is better able to interpret the law than you." "Then the law is savage and you interpret it without charity!" "The book from which you preach says that man shall not live by bread alone." "These days you're asking him to live without even that!" "Step down, Mr Poldark, or we'll have you committed for contempt of court." "I can assure you, such a committal would be an entirely accurate reading of my thoughts." "How can I go?" "I couldn't live nowhere else." "Till I came, I never lived at all." "I can't leave 'ere." "(I can't leave him.)" "He'll make me go." "He won't care." "I'm not so important to him as he is to me." "Spare yourself the trouble, child, he'll not be 'ome tonight." "INDISTINCT CHATTER" "What cheer, Captain Poldark?" "Precious little." "I could remedy that." "You could not." "Nobody could." "Then I shall take my consolation where it's more appreciated." "A Poldark, you say?" "Not a Poldark..." "Ooh!" "..THE Poldark of Trenwith House." "Oh, Lord bless you, sir." "What other Poldark is there?" "INDISTINCT SHOUTING" "RATS SQUEAK Let me out!" "Gaoler!" "It was more than good of 'ee to try, Ross." "Don't thank me, I failed miserably." "MAN COUGHS AND CRIES" "Goodbye." "Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye." "I can't leave him!" "I can't!" "I can't!" "I must." "~ Demelza?" "~ DOOR SHUTS" "Demelza!" "Demelza?" "Sir?" "Close the window." "Yes, sir." "Are Jud and Prudie abed?" "Yes, sir, long since." "Fetch me the rum." "Yes, sir." "Jim Carter got two years." "I feared it might be worse." "I doubt he'll survive." "'Ee did all 'ee could." "Did I?" "I doubt it." "I was too concerned with my own dignity." "Grovelling and compliments were the order of the day, and I made the mistake of trying to teach them their business." "A schoolboy error... .. and Jim paid dearly for it." "Demelza?" "What are you wearing?" "I found it, sir, in one of the chests in the library." "You dare to go rifling through those things?" "I'm..." "I'm sorry, sir. 'Ee never told me I shouldn't look." "Surely that was obvious?" "You're employed as a maid." "~ I know, sir." "~ And you've been a good one." "And for that you're allowed certain liberties." "But dressing up in fine clothes is not one of them." "~ I meant no 'arm, sir." "It was just rotting' away in that ol' box." "~ Take it off." "~ I thought 'ee might let me wear it some..." "~ Take it off now!" "If you don't take it off this minute, you can pack your things and go back to your father!" "~ SHE CRIES ~ Demelza." "Enough!" "Enough now." "I shouldn't have spoken so harshly." "Don't take it to heart." "It's been a hellish day and I'm not myself." "What is it?" "What've I done?" "I didn't take you from your father for this." "What do it matter what you took me for?" "~ Go to bed." "~ Sir..." "~ Go to bed, now." "KNOCK ON DOOR" "What is it?" "The dress... .. it unfastens down the back." "You know what people say of us." "Yes." "If we behave like this... .. it will be true." "Then let it be true." "DOOR HANDLE JANGLES" "HARP MUSIC" "Where's Francis?" "He did not come home last night." "~ He'll have stayed in town with George." "~ That upstart?" "Has he been going to the mine?" "I'm sure he has." "Elizabeth, is he attending to his duties?" "Of course he is, sir." "Where's Demelza?" "Ain't seen her." "When she appears, tell her to start on the barley field." "You and I will set to with the hay." "Aye, sir." "I, sir?" "!" "You, sir." "Without Jim to cover your idleness, you may be forced to break a sweat occasionally." "It isn't right." "They be sayin' that Jim Carter won't last five minutes in Bodmin Gaol." "If fever don't get him, starvation will." "Still, if someone we know hadn't spoke up for him, he'd be on his way to seven years' transportation." "An unexpected pleasure." "I was passing this way and..." "I was sorry to hear about your farm boy." "Reverend Halse plays cards with the Warleggans." "And?" "Perhaps if you'd approached George, things could have been arranged." "Is that how justice works?" "We both know it, Ross." "How's Geoffrey Charles?" "He's my joy." "Our joy." "I heard blasting as I came by Wheal Leisure." "Have you hit ironstone?" "This is a new interest!" "Francis thinks it's unladylike but how else can I understand the business on which our fortunes, and those of our tenants, depend?" "You always had an enquiring mind." "Marriage discourages such a thing." "Always?" "Perhaps it depends on the partners." "DOOR OPENS" "Beg your pardon, sir, ma'am." "Can I get you anything, ma'am?" "Prudie served us." "Her arm seems recovered." "Yes, sir." "I'll just see to these flowers." "They're very pretty." "Would you like them?" "Oh!" "Thank you, but I'm afraid they won't last." "See, they're fading already." "Cornflowers are like that." "I must go." "I'll see you out." "Demelza?" "Where's Demelza?" "Last I seen her, she were headin' towards Sawle wi' that blathering' dog at her heels." "I engaged you for two years." "What do you mean by running away?" "~ Sir, I..." "~ Haven't you been well treated?" "Aren't you grown used to the house, and your tasks... and my moods?" "~ Yes, sir, but..." "~ Do you not give me what I want before I even ask?" "Yes, sir, but I..." "I thought, after what happened..." "You thought you would no longer be my servant." "Not from choice, sir." "You're right." "You CAN no longer be my servant." "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony." "Ross Vennor Poldark, do you take this woman to be your lawful wedded wife?" "He's done it now!" "Could have had his pick, any number of eligible girls." "Instead of which he marries his serving wench." "Young girls these days have such ideas - always trying to rise above their station!" "How long till we strike copper?" "Could be months." "Doors which were open will be slammed in his face." "Am I prepared to trust him with more of my capital?" "His ventures will fail." "We can last till the week before Christmas." ""Ross Poldark"" ""too much of a risk for the prudent investor"?" "And you can enjoy the sight of him in the gutter, along with his slut." "Ross'll be sorry he ever wed me."