That Hamilton Woman Quotes

[Emma has just recounted her story to her cellmate, ending with her learning of Nelson's death]

The Streetgirl: And then?

Emma: Then what?

The Streetgirl: What happened after?

Emma: There is no "then". There is no "after".

Emma: What are those bells?

Lord Horatio Nelson: Have you forgotten what night this is? Last of 1799; eight bells for the old year, and eight for the new. Happy New Year, darling.

Emma: Happy New Year.

Lord Horatio Nelson: The dawn of a new century.

Emma: 1800. How strange it sounds.

Lord Horatio Nelson: What a century it's been: Marlborough rode to war, and Washington crossed the Delaware. Louis XVI, and Marie Antoinette. The last of the Stuarts. Peter the Great. Voltaire. Clive of India. Bonaparte...

Emma: ...Nelson.

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: [Greeting a lady in waiting for the Queen of Naples] Good morning, your ladyship. My daughter, her ladyship, is still resting. And how is Her Majesty's sore throat? You know the best thing for a sore throat is to wrap a woolen sock around your neck before bed.

Sir William Hamilton: Good morning, your ladyship.

[to Emma's mother]

Sir William Hamilton: Is Emma still asleep?

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: She is asleep. In my village, a husband just turns round in bed to look for himself.

Sir William Hamilton: Yes, and the Queen of Naples does not wear woolen socks!

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: Oh! Look at that mountain with the smoke coming out of it. The coachman said it went off a few years ago and killed several people. Now that sort of thing would never happen in Liverpool.

Emma: Oh mother you're hopeless. That's the famous volcano. People come miles to see it. What do they call it? Charles told me a hundred times. Smoking mountain... Vesuvius! That's it, Vesuvius. If Sir William asks you what you think of it just say it's lovely.

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: Yes dear.

Emma: It's all mixed up with the history of ancient Rome. Nero set it on fire and then said the Christians did it. Remember mother, it's knowing little things like that that makes you a lady.

Emma: 'Her Excelency Lady Emma Hamilton, British Embassy, Naples'...

[looks slightly sad]

Emma: 'Charles Grevole, London.'

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: Open it child, open it.

Emma: I think not. Send it back, and write on 'unopened, return to sender'. Poor Charles, he's exactly three years too late. As far as I'm concerned, he simply doesn't exist.

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: Are you happy my child?

Emma: Happy? Three years ago my only idea of happiness was to be married to Charles Grevole. After that I wanted revenge. Well, I got that in a way too. Then I wanted to be presented at court, and even that impossible wish was granted to me. I got everything - everything a woman of the world could possibly wish for. So why shouldn't I be happy?... Aha, of course I'm happy mother!

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: Well Emma, what's good enough for you is good enough for me. And being mother to a ladyship is not to be sneezed at either.

[laughs merrily]

Emma: Oh you silly old thing!

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: Oh you're lovely Emma, you're so beautiful Emma.

Emma: And what about you?

[Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon continues laughing merrily as Emma teases her]

Emma: Look at you with your little cap and your silver buttons and your underskirt.

[they both hug]

Emma: You're the beautiful one.

Emma: I don't care how dull it is. I want to know.

Sir William Hamilton: Well, here's England.

Emma: Such a tiny little bit. Where are we?

Sir William Hamilton: Here at Naples.

Emma: But why should England fight?

Sir William Hamilton: Well because, all through these centuries, she has built up a commonwealth in which every little spot has its purpose and value to the balance line of life. And there are always men, who for the sake of their insane ambition, want to destroy what other people build. And therefore this 'tiny little bit', as you call it Emma, has to send out its ships again and again to fight those who want to dictate their world to others.

Lord Horatio Nelson: My dear wife

[Emma repeats 'my dear wife' and continues to scribe the letter for Lord Nelson]

Lord Horatio Nelson: My heartiest greetings from Naples to you and father. I'm in the house of the Hamiltons, and it has taken all their care and kindness to pull me through. I hope someday to have the pleasure of introducing you to Lady Hamilton. Lady Hamilton is one of the very best women in the world and an honor to her sex.

[Emma looks subtly surprised]

Sir William Hamilton: You know Emma, there are three kinds of deceived husbands in the world: first are those who were born to be decieved, second who do not know, and third who do not care. I've been wondering for some time now which of the three I'd be myself.

Emma: Have you forgotten the fourth kind William? The kind that is hard, and empty, and gives nothing. You married me because you wanted a new ornament for your house -

[motions to each]

Emma: like that painting, or that statue, or that vase. As far as you're concerned I'm just as ornamental, and just as dead.

Sir William Hamilton: But my dear, how can you call my statues dead? When I'm alone and rather tired, think what it means to me to have my statues with me. To know that they'll always be lovely, will never grow old, and never walk out with sailors. What a pity you're not going to see him again. It would have been a farewell scene of lasting beauty. I shall sleep beautifully tonight.

[nods]

Sir William Hamilton: Goodnight my dear.

[Exits the room]

Emma: [she says sadly] My darling... come back... come back.

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: [Hushed] Emily, he's waiting for you, out on the balcony.

[Emma runs gleefully out onto the balcony into Lord Nelson's arms and they passionately kiss]

Mrs. Cadogan-Lyon: .