NELSON

by Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.

       NELSON

a play in two acts

by Pam Gems

                                        CAST

                             NELSON
                             COLLINGWOOD
                             BOSUN
                             FANNY NISBET
                             JOSIAH NISBET
                             TOM
                             PRINCE WILLIAM        
                             KING OF NAPLES
                             QUEEN OF NAPLES
                             SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON
                             LADY HAMILTON
                             ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS
                             TROUBRIDGE
                             HARDY
                             TIMOTHY
                             JEM
                             HORATIO
                             MAID

NELSON

ACT ONE

SCENE 1.

The stage is dark.  Night.  Gradually we make out the rigging of the frigate
SEAHORSE.  She is underweigh in a force 2-3, sounds of slatting sails and the rattle
of slack sheets and braces.  As the scene continues the wind rises to 4-5.  Some
creaking then, the sound of the sea swishing and a low hum in the rigging.  Middle
watch.

HORATIO NELSON and CUTHBERT COLLINGWOOD, Midshipmen, are on deck,
off watch, lying back on coiled ropes.  At first we don't see them, just hear their
voices.

                      NELSON
               What do you mean it's upside down?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               It's the wrong way up.

                      NELSON
               Where?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Now we see him as he points skyward to
               starboard)  There!  Orion!

                      NELSON
               It can't be.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               I tell you it's Orion - upside down!

NELSON rises and gazes at the sky.

                      NELSON
               So it is.  There's Rigel, the foot.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Points)  And Betelgeuse, the armpit.  And
               Aldebaran leading Orion down the sky.
NELSON turns aft, scans the heavens.

                      NELSON
               God, I love night sailing...look at the Milky
               Way...oh! (excited, points) there's the Southern
               Cross!

He throws himself down by COLLINGWOOD.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               The Southern Cross...

They gaze up at the sky.

                      NELSON
               (Homesick)  A long way from the North Star -

                      COLLINGWOOD
               - and the Seven Sisters.

A pause.  COLLINGWOOD perches beside NELSON, then lies back, head on hands. 
The sounds of sails and rigging.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               You have sisters, don't you Nelson?

                      NELSON
               Yes.  Three.  And four brothers.  There were
               eleven of us but we lost three as squawkers.

The ship's bell rings twice.

                      COXSWAIN
               (Offstage)  Let go and haul!

SAILORS are seen in the background.  Sounds as they bring the foresails onto the
wind again.

                      NELSON
               (Growls)  Come on...shorten!

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Pipe down.  (He shoves NELSON back genially,
               they settle.)

               What made you choose the sea?

                      NELSON
               It was that or the Church.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Or politics.

                      NELSON
               Politics!  Not for me.  If ever I become a
               trimmer you can sew me up and slide me down. 
               No - the navy first and foremost.
 
               Why are you here?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               My father's cousin is attached to the Admiralty.

                      NELSON
               (Nods)  I have an uncle.  Without influence
               you've no chance.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Oh, absolutely.

NELSON jumps up.

                      NELSON
               (Dashes, calls off)  Wind backing nor'-east a
               full point - lay off or come about!

                      BOSUN
               (Approaching)  Are you on watch, sir?

                      NELSON
               No.

                      BOSUN
               Then sling your hook.

He goes.

                      NELSON
               (Mutters)  Bloody Bosun.  Can't wait to get my
               own ship.

                      COXSWAIN
               (Off)  Stand by the braces -

NELSON, frustrated, paces...stops, stares out to sea.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Awesome, isn't it?

               What would you do, if they gave you a
               command?

                      NELSON
               Beat out to the West Indies after the renegade
               Yanks and their Froggy friends.  Think of the
               prizes, Cuthbert!

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Laughs)  In the meantime, live, learn and be
               patient, eh?

                      NELSON
               Bugger patience.  I'll write to my uncle, get him
               to speak to Lord Hood.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Impressed)  Lord Hood?

                      NELSON
               Why not?  The navy looks after its own.

                      COLLNGWOOD
               Absolutely.

                      NELSON
               (Looms over COLLINGWOOD)  Collingwood,
               shall we be friends for life?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Absolutely.
He rises, hand outstretched to seal the bargain, but NELSON, at the sound of wind
in the sheets, dodges away.

                      NELSON
               (Yells)  Squall!  She's backing!  Lay off or come
               about for God's sake, helm!

The BOSUN enters, and knocks their heads together.

                      BOSUN
               Get below or I'll have the pair of you flogged,
               braid or no braid.

They reel off.  The BOSUN exits.  Sounds of the wind rising, sheets slatting, and a
whine in the rigging.

                      OFFICE OF WATCH
               (Off)  Avast!  She's aback!

                      COXSWAIN
               (Off)  Hard astarboard -

                      OFFICER OF WATCH
               Too late, she's aback!  Stand by for sternway!

                      COXSWAIN
               Larboard - larboard your helm!

                      BOSUN
               (Bawls)  Let go - let go!  If the port cannon
               shift we'll be goners...let go...let go......!

Sounds rise to screaming strength of wind, sheets and braces, sails.  The sounds
gradually die away and we are left in darkness.

SCENE 2.

A beautiful scene in Jamaica, with palms and in view of the sea.  TOM, an old salt,
Nelson's servant, is seated on a slab of stone, talking to JOSIAH, a young boy.  His
mother, MRS NISBET, stands back, smiling at the story.

                      TOM
               What happens to you?  What happens, lad, is
               you're doomed to live forever with live snakes
               for arms, that's what happens to them as falls
               foul of the 'orrible octopuses of the deep and
               their festering fangs.

Young JOSIAH goes silent, pondering this, then rallies.

                      JOSIAH
               You won't catch me there.

                      TOM
               Not if you knows how to hop it, young'un. 
               How fast can you run?

                      JOSIAH
               (Doubtful)  I'm not sure.

               (His attention is deflected.  He approaches
               TOM.)  That's a big ear-ring.

                      FANNY
               Josiah...

TOM puffs his clay pipe.  FANNY finds the acrid smell trying.

                      TOM
               You want to know what this is for?  I'll tell
               thee.  (He pulls on the large gold hoop in his
               right ear.)

               You be looking at a Cape Horner.  (JOSIAH
               looks up at him uncomprehendingly.)  You never
               heard of Cape Horn?  Bottom of the world,
               Cape Horn - worstest and most treacherous seas
               in the world.

                      JOSIAH
               You've seen it?

                      TOM
               Seen it?  I've ploughed it! - seen seas higher
               than the side of a mountain.

                      JOSIAH
               Mountain?  (He turns to his MOTHER.)

                      FANNY
               A very high hill, Josiah.

                      JOSIAH
               (To TOM)  Higher than that?  (He points to a
               palm tree.)

                      TOM
               Ten times as high.  (JOSIAH looks at him
               scornfully.)

               Didn't believe it meself, lad.

He jumps alertly to his feet and salutes informally as CAPTAIN NELSON and
LIEUTENANT COLLINGWOOD enter.  FANNY and NELSON greet each other.  He
gives her a small posy and lifts JOSIAH high in greeting.  TOM retreats up right.

                      FANNY
               (To COLLINGWOOD)  Cuthbert, good morning.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Mrs Nisbet.  Another fine morning.  All fine
               mornings in these waters.  I envy you.

                      FANNY
               And I envy you clouds and storms and
               changeable weather - variety is bracing.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Well - perhaps -

He looks awkwardly at NELSON.
                      NELSON
               Has he said anything, Fanny?

FANNY shakes her head.

                      NELSON
               Try him again.

                      FANNY
               I'm afraid - (she shakes her head.)

                      NELSON
               It's the damned money!  I won't deny that your
               fortune would be a bounty to any naval officer -
               but that isn't the point -

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Your guardian is a rich man, Mrs Nisbet?

                      FANNY
               (Nods)  And is so devoted to saving me from
               fortune-hunters that I fear I shall die a lonely
               widow.

                      NELSON
               Keep at him, Fanny.  It's what you want - it's
               what I want -

                      FANNY
               (Shaking her head)  I have made my inclination
               very plain.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Mr Herbert still becalmed with the idea?

                      FANNY
               (Smiles)  I would say there is more of a head
               wind, alas.

                      NELSON
               Fanny's guardian is determined that I am no
               more than an opportunistic fortune-hunter. 
               Look at me.  Is this the countenance of a
               heartless -

They are distracted by the sound of loud laughter.  PRINCE WILLIAM enters. 
NELSON and COLLINGWOOD bow.

                      NELSON
               Your Royal Highness...

                      PRINCE WILLIAM
               Nelson! - by God, we meet in daylight - devilish
               bright, don't you know.  Who's your friend?

                      NELSON
               Lieutenant Collingwood, sir.

                      PRINCE
               Collingwood eh?   Glad to know you, sir - any
               friend of this lovely boy - what?  (NELSON
               whispers in his ear.)  Were we, by God?  (To
               COLLINGWOOD)  So you took ten guineas off
               me last night! - treason against the Crown, that
               must have been after I had the doxy against the
               wall, weakens the brain -

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Warning)  Sire - (he indicates FANNY.)

                      PRINCE
               Ah!  Aha!  Ha ha ha!

                      NELSON
               (Quickly)  Sire - may I present Mrs Fanny
               Nisbet and her son Josiah.  Mrs Nisbet, you
               have the honour of being presented to His Royal
               Highness, Prince William, lieutenant of the
               Royal Navy and beloved son of our revered
               Majesty, King George.

FANNY curtsies deeply.  The PRINCE notices JOSIAH, beams.

                      FANNY
               My son, Josiah, Sire.

JOSIAH bows.  The PRINCE lifts him, swings him round.  JOSIAH shouts with glee.

                      PRINCE
               Sorry - not behaving badly, am I?

                      FANNY
               (Smiles)  Sire.

The PRINCE is taken with her.

                      PRINCE
               (To NELSON)  So - this is -

                      NELSON
               Mrs Nisbet is my - my special acquaintance.

                      PRINCE
               Your fancy, eh?  When's the wedding?  (He
               turns.  They shrug.)

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Ah - the lady's guardian advises delay.
                      PRINCE
               Rubbish!  I fancy a wedding.  What do you say
               I give the bride away - that suit you, Nelson?

                      NELSON
               I'd be honoured, Sir.

                      PRINCE
               Good, we'll do it on Wednesday.

FANNY and NELSON, overwhelmed, clasp hands.

                      PRINCE
               Good.  Splendid match.  You won't do better
               than Nelson ma'am.  Only man in the Fleet who
               laughs at my jokes.

                      NELSON
               Just keeping in, Sir.

The PRINCE yoks playfully, almost knocking NELSON over.  Rights him genially.

                      PRINCE
               Right.  Wednesday it is, then.

He goes.  A stunned silence.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Does he mean it?

                      NELSON
               Oh yes - he always remembers things when he's
               sober.

                      FANNY
               (Dazed)  Wednesday!

               What on earth will my guardian say?

NELSON and FANNY look at each other.  He lifts JOSIAH and they leave quickly. 
Silence.

                      TOM
               So it's to be the Captain and Mrs Nisbet, sir?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               So it would appear.

                      TOM
               A lady with prospects.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Yes - should go well.

                      TOM
               (Sucks his teeth.)  All the same either way for a
               mariner.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               How do you mean?

                      TOM
               Whichever way the wind blows, your sailor's
               absent most of the time, ain't he?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               True.

                      TOM
               (Slight pause)  A wifely sort of body, Mrs
               Nisbet.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               You disapprove of that?

                      TOM
               No, not a bit, sir, but your wifely woman needs
               a warm bed, not a drawer full of letters and a
               man two oceans away.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               The same for all sailors' wives, Tom.

                      TOM
               Suits some more'n others, sir.

He salutes informally and goes.  COLLINGWOOD walks off thoughtfully.

SCENE 3.

A garden with exotic flowering trees.  Joyful church bells announce that the wedding
is over.  FANNY, in a modest cream wedding dress, and NELSON, in dress uniform,
enter arm in arm.  They greet the GUESTS.  PRINCE WILLIAM surges forward,
gropes FANNY heartily, embraces NELSON.

Applause.

COLLINGWOOD approaches, bows gallantly to FANNY, is barged aside by the
PRINCE who lurches towards a PRETTY MAID who is bearing a large tray of food.

                      PRINCE
               Ah - food for the royal chops!

He helps himself with both hands, scoffs heartily and unselfconsciously, wiping his
hands on his clothes.

                      PRINCE
               Fine wedding, Nelson, fine wedding (he looks
               round genially, grabs a glass from another
               passing tray)...by the way, who's the squirt in
               the brown hat?

FANNY gasps, hand over mouth.

                      NELSON
               Oh - ah - Sir John Herbert, Fanny's guardian,
               Sire.  Governor of the Island.  Not, alas, in a
               cheerful state today.

                      PRINCE
               (Yoks)  Not now he isn't, I've just had him
               arrested.

                      FANNY
               Arrested?

                      PRINCE
               Fella looked like a gatecrasher...
               hang on -

He sees the PRETTY MAID again, gooses her.

                      MAID
               (Escaping)  Sir - please - sir, please!

She dodges between the GUESTS.

                      PRINCE
               (Pursuing her)  I am a Prince, you know!

Laughing, NELSON nods to COLLINGWOOD who breaks away to restrain the
PRINCE.

                      FANNY
               Poor Uncle John!

They walk apart.

                      FANNY
               I'm afraid he'll never forgive me for not being
               content with my daily walks and my aviary.

                      NELSON
               Perhaps I  may be allowed to offer you another
               pastime?

                      FANNY
               That could be very congenial, Captain Nelson.

They hold out their hands to each other, smiling with happiness.

SCENE 4.

Bedchamber on Nevis.

NELSON, in nightshirt, leans against a dressing table watching FANNY prepare for
bed.  She takes her time with what looks like a time-honoured ritual - doing her hair,
putting lotion on her face and cream on her hands.  She adjusts the window screens
to provide a cooling draft - removes her slippers and puts them under the bed,
removes her neglig‚e and hangs it on the door.  She makes to climb into bed, then
remembers something.  She rises - takes out the pisspot from its appointed cupboard
and makes to put it under the bed.  And then rises again, wavering.  And courteously
puts it under the bed on the other side.  Now she gets into bed.  At first she sits up,
hands in lap, smiles over to NELSON.  He nods cordially, but tinkers, and then
begins to move about restlessly.  FANNY lies back, looks across to convey that she
is ready.  NELSON approaches - and moves off again.  He approaches - retreats -
and then hurls himself across the room at a rush and leaps on her.

                      FANNY
               (Smothered)  Ee-ouff!

Lights to black.

Lights up.

NELSON is sitting up in bed, with plumped-up pillows.  He looks well-pleased,
watches FANNY prepare his breakfast tray.  She brings it to him, sits on the bed,
pours him a drink.

                      FANNY
               Papaya juice.

He drinks.  She feeds him from a bowl - offers him a napkin, then wipes his face for
him.  He smiles up at her, and with sudden energy leaps out of bed - FANNY has to
hang on to the tray.  NELSON walks about.

                      NELSON
               The trouble is - no orders, no line of pursuit, no
               course to lay -

               It's the doldrums.

               I'm a man becalmed - stranded.

He suddenly remembers FANNY and where he is.  He crosses, stands over her.
                      NELSON
               Could we - do you mind if we - ?

                      FANNY
               Not at all, Horatio, you are very welcome.

She stows the tray, climbs back into bed and lies back on the pillows with genial
politeness.  NELSON makes to climb in - and suddenly we are in their London home. 
NELSON gloomy, sits on the side of the bed.

                      NELSON
               The trouble is - the trouble is -

He jumps up and starts his nervous pacing.

                      NELSON
               What we need -

               What we need -

               Is a War!

                      FANNY
               A war?

               Dear Lord in Heaven - Horatio, you can't
               seriously wish to see your country in peril, its
               people threatened?

                      NELSON
               They won't be, why will they be threatened?

                      FANNY
               How not, if we are at war?

                      NELSON
               Fanny - they'll have ME!

SCENE 5.

Incredibly loud noise.  Wind, possibly trained on the audience, ditto light.  Sounds
of cannon, musket and pistol fire.

Shortly, we discern the Captain's cabin on the AGAMEMNON.

                      NELSON (Offstage)
               Helm astarboard!  Brace and shiver the driver
               and aftersails! - (Bawls)  Give her our whole
               broadside - through the stern windows - the
               Stern windows, damn it!  

               (Dreadful noise of broadside.)  Brace up the
               afteryards!  Helm aport!

                      HELM  (Offstage)
               (Calls)  Mizzen topmast away -

                      BOSUN  (Offstage)
               Mizzen tops'l and crossjack yards away!

                      SAILORS  (Offstage)
               There she goes - the €a Ira!

               She's yawing!

               Main mast's going, sir!

               Mast over, sir!

                      NELSON  (Offstage)
               Board her - board her - 

               What?  What?!

               Break off?

The sounds die away.  NELSON enters the Captain's cabin, followed by
COLLINGWOOD.

                      NELSON
               (In a rage)  Break off?!!

He throws himself into a seat at the table, glaring murderously.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               I had to fly the signal, what could I do, that was
               the order.

                      NELSON
               Ignore it!

COLLINGWOOD collapses into the seat across from NELSON.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               You know the navy's rule.  Obey first - query
               later.

                      NELSON
               (Snarls)  Yes!  From the seabed.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               If every man decides for himself -

                      NELSON
               It don't arise in battle!  Battle is for Killing! 
               Ferocity - ferocity at all times.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Horatio, you can't have insubordination in the
               confines of a ship, it's the fastest way to
               mutiny.

                      NELSON
               Only when conditions are intolerable.  I invest
               in men - a weapon more potent than cordite -
               the Greeks knew it - "a man's best friend is a
               sharper weapon than his sword."   You saw
               them out there, they fought like lions.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               They worship you, that's why!

                      NELSON
               So breed adoration, become the idol of the fleet.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Can't follow you on that path, don't have the
               Nelson touch.

                      NELSON
               Make do with eccentricity, then.  Sport a grey
               eye, at least they'll recognise you.

               We should have pursued them back to Toulon!

               Why hold back?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Mutters)  Because we were out-gunned.

                      NELSON
               Now it's to be that fetid sink, Naples, to prop
               up a kingdom so weak it'll fall to the nearest
               flotilla of skiffs - Naples!

                      COLLINGWOOD
               The orders stress diplomacy.  The Queen of
               Naples is sister to Queen Marie-Antoinette of
               France, God rest her soul.  

                      NELSON
               And we need a refit.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Which we shall be able to achieve there.  I'm
               told the British Ambassador keeps a fine table.

                      NELSON
               (Still simmering)  We could have broken them.

               I need an Admiral's hat.  If I'd commanded
               instead of Hotham I'd have sunk the whole of
               the French fleet - either that or been red jam in
               the scuppers.  I tell you, Cuth, it's unbearable. 
               If I take ten sail and let one go, for me that is
               defeat.

He throws himself on his cot, lies back, groans.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               What's the matter?

                      NELSON
               My bloody eye hurts.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Can you see out of it?

                      NELSON
               Not a lot.  (He sits up)  Unsightly, would you
               say?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               No.

                      NELSON
               They certainly look at me twice (gloomily) but
               that goes for all irregularity.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Not at all, you're handsomer than ever.

                      NELSON
               Good enough for the Kingdom of Naples?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               They won't blench at the sight of you, take my
               word.

                      NELSON
               Oh God...Naples.  Where's the preferment in
               that?  I'm a sailor, not a lackey!

SCENE 6.

The court of King Ferdinand and Queen Maria Carolina of Naples and the Two
Sicilies.

COURTIERS, standing.

The KING enters, accompanied by NELSON, COLLINGWOOD in attendance.  They
are followed by the QUEEN, and SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON, the British Ambassador,
a spare man of discreet aspect in his fifties.  The KING is heavily built, not
handsome.  The QUEEN, likewise, is not well-favoured.  He is of Spanish origin, the
QUEEN is Austrian.  Both have foreign accents.

The COURT CHAMBERLAIN fusses over the seating.  The KING shoves him aside
and sits heavily.

                      QUEEN
               Nelson, you shall be our chevalier servant.

NELSON bows, takes his place beside the QUEEN.

                      QUEEN
               And for your so handsome companion - (she
               leans back and calls)  Sir William - Sir William!

SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON approaches.  The QUEEN beckons COLLINGWOOD
forward, indicates for him to sit next to NELSON.

                      QUEEN
               And you are?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Collingwood, ma'am.

                      QUEEN
               Sir William - (to NELSON) - here in Naples, Sir
               William, your own beloved ambassador,
               arranges all for us.  (To SIR WILLIAM,
               indicating COLLINGWOOD)  A petite amie for
               the fine Anglais - (leans to COLLINGWOOD) -
               neglected you shall not be while - (she glances
               flirtatiously at NELSON who smiles merrily
               back) - Sir William?

                      SIR WILLIAM
               A delightful errand, ma'am.

The QUEEN leans across NELSON for a better look at COLLINGWOOD.

                      QUEEN
               (In NELSON'S ear)  Such an honest face.  Is he
               as true as he looks?

                      NELSON
               Excessively so, ma'am.

                      QUEEN
               (Whispers in NELSON'S ear)  Virtue, so boring,
               nicht wahr?

NELSON giggles.  The QUEEN joins in.  They settle down.

                      KING
               (Leans across)  Good boar-hunting here,
               Admiral.  You a shooting man?

                      NELSON
               (Drily)  From time to time, Sire.

                      FERDINAND
               Good, good.

The QUEEN leans across to NELSON.

                      QUEEN
               We have this arranged in your honour, Nelson! 
               Petite bonne bouche!  (She laughs like a young
               girl in anticipation.)  Sir William, we are now
               telling?  No, for our so pretty Admiral a
               surprise, I think.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Enchanting idea, Ma'am.

                      QUEEN
               (To COLLINGWOOD)  Lady Hamilton is dearly
               beloved.  Here we say - what do we say?

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Ma'am?

                      QUEEN
               Sir William is our fine English ambassador and
               darling Emma - Sua Eccellenza L'Ambascatrice! 
               (Aside, to NELSON)  We could not exist without
               the support of this creature and neither will you
               - wait until you see her...not so, Ferdinand?

                      FERDINAND
               What?

                      QUEEN
               Tonight!  Our surprise - for the Admiral!

                      FERDINAND
               Yes, yes, yes.  (To NELSON)  Done any pig-
               sticking?

The COURT CHAMBERLAIN raps his cane for quiet.  Candelabra are removed. 
COLLINGWOOD looks round, leans to NELSON to ask what they are going to see. 
SIR WILLIAM leans in.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               My wife is about to perform a tableau or two.

NELSON looks to COLLINGWOOD in enquiry.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               The Ambassador's wife is doing - I don't know
               - charades or something.

NELSON blenches.  COLLINGWOOD shrugs in resigned apology.  They sit back to
endure the display.  Whispering among the audience, then silence.

A SERVANT draws aside a velvet curtain to reveal EMMA, swathed delicately in
gauze, as Venus from Botticelli's Birth of Venus.

                      QUEEN
               Ah, Botticelli!  Bravissima!

EMMA smiles, nods civilly to the QUEEN, retakes her pose.  Murmurs and whispers
of appreciation, the pose is discussed.  NELSON leans forward, gazes spellbound. 
SIR WILLIAM glances at him and smiles, pleased.  The curtain is drawn.  The
QUEEN rises to applaud, the COURTIERS do likewise.  The KING, asleep, jolts
awake, and goes back to sleep again.

The audience anticipate the next tableau.

                      QUEEN
               Now we are waiting for the very fine and
               moving scene.  For this - please - silence and
               respect.

The COURT goes silent.  NELSON leans forward.

The curtain is drawn back.  EMMA is displayed as the Virgin with Child (from the
Bardi altarpiece.)  Awed gasps.  NELSON'S chair scrapes as he turns away, lowers
his face.  EMMA'S head moves slightly to observe him.  Then she is still again.

Lights down.

SCENE 7.

A balcony overlooking the Palace Gardens.

NELSON, alone, is looking out to sea.

Pause.  He looks up, scans the sky.  And turns, at a sound.  It is EMMA.

                      NELSON
               (Bows politely)  Lady Hamilton.

A pause.  They regard each other easily.

                      EMMA
               (Softly)  Was I so very bad?

                      NELSON
               Not at all.  It went off very well.

                      EMMA
               So why were you crying?

Pause.

                      NELSON
               You made me feel lonely.

                      EMMA
               (Thoughtful)  Lonely?

                      NELSON
               Did they notice?

                      EMMA
               Of course not, they were looking at me.

He laughs.  Points up at the sky.

                      NELSON
               Look.  Your rivals.

She smiles.  They gaze up.  Then she looks at his upturned profile.

                      EMMA
               Why are you lonely?

                      NELSON
               I'm a mariner.

He turns and she studies his face, touches his brow briefly over his bad eye.

                      EMMA
               Hellish, your job.

                      NELSON
               You think so?

                      EMMA
               Confined in a wooden box - a lurching wooden
               box - a noisy, creaking wooden box - slaughter
               and destruction your only respite?  Intolerable.

               I envy you.

                      NELSON
               You envy me?  Why?

                      EMMA
               Because you can act.  I can only - act.

                      NELSON
               You'd rather fight.

                      EMMA
               But am reduced, by accident of sex, to mere
               seduction.

She walks away, turns and surveys him.

                      NELSON
               (Showing his profile)  Better by moonlight?

               Or worse?

               What are you thinking?

                      EMMA
               I am thinking...I am thinking, how can he be so
               brave and so slight?

                      NELSON
               Does it put you off?

                      EMMA
               That you are not a looming hulk?  No fear.

They laugh.  He hangs on to her arm and they stroll.  They pause and look out to
sea.

                      NELSON
               Perhaps we should join the company?

She moves off and stops, turns and looks at him.

                      EMMA
               I wonder.

               There's a grotto...I'll show you...it's made of
               shells and mother of pearl, if you have not had
               too much of the nautical.

                      NELSON
               I should like you to show me whatever pleases
               you.

They go.

SCENE 8.

The Grotto.

Light from the water outside flickers in waves across the iridescent, shelly interior. 
NELSON and EMMA are on the curved, decorated seat.  The light picks out his face
as, recumbent he looks up at her, his face pale.

                      EMMA
               (Murmurs)  How old were you when your
               mother died?

                      NELSON
               (His mind on other things)  I don't remember. 
               Nine...ten.

He puts up his arms, like a child, to be embraced.  They remain, another tableau.

SCENE 9.

Daylight.

NELSON and EMMA together on the shore, looking out to sea.  She turns to him.

                      EMMA
               Love me interestingly.

They embrace.  Sounds of the sea.

SCENE 10.

NELSON and EMMA, lying naked on a bed.  He sits up, looks down at her.

                      EMMA
               Love me without pity.

Lights down and up low.

                      NELSON
               I can't get enough of you.  So much more to be
               pursued...explored...

               Emma...Emma...Emma...

               How and when do I reach the end of you?

                      EMMA
               Never, never, never, never, never!

NELSON throws himself on his back.

                      NELSON
               Thank God.

Apart, FANNY sits at her writing table, writing to NELSON.  She stops writing, gazes
into the audience, missing him.

SCENE 11.

EMMA'S BOUDOIR.

NELSON, in his shirt-sleeves, and wearing a baize apron, is polishing EMMA's
shoes.  He finishes the last pair, tidies the long row, puts the brushes away in the
box.  EMMA enters in a negligee.  She walks along the line, inspecting the boots and
shoes.  She chooses, points to one pair.  NELSON removes her slippers, puts the
shoes on her feet.  She walks, turning to display them.

                      EMMA
               Excellent.

NELSON removes one of her shoes, kisses her foot.

                      EMMA
               Very - good - work.

                      NELSON
               (Holding her shoe)  Never allow these to be
               touched or breathed upon by non-naval
               personnel.

                      EMMA
               And when the navy is at sea?

                      NELSON
               Wear them caked in mud.

                      EMMA
               Mmm.  Dilemma.  The British navy is always at
               sea.

               (She bends, kisses him.)

               It seems I must wear mud on my shoes -

                      NELSON
               - until I am ashore and can lick it off.

SIR WILLIAM enters.  He looks down at the row of shoes.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Ah, shipshape and Bristol fashion!  Dear hearts,
               forgive the intrusion.

                      NELSON
               Signals?

                      SIR WILLIAM
               I fear so.

He and NELSON leave quickly without a backward look.  EMMA composes herself.

SCENE 12.

Aboard the VICTORY, flagship of ADMIRAL SIR JOHN JERVIS, NELSON'S new
Commander.

The ADMIRAL on deck.  NELSON enters quickly.

                      NELSON
               (Breathless)  Sir John...

                      JERVIS
               Nelson, by God!  How in hell's name are you
               here - thought you were still in the Med!

                      NELSON
               Sailed through the Spanish lines, sir.

                      JERVIS
               Did you, by God?

He hands NELSON his telescope.  NELSON adjusts it briefly, scans the horizon.

                      NELSON
               By God!

                      JERVIS
               Thumpers eh?  They look like Beachy Head in
               a fog!

                      SAILOR
               (Calls from aloft)  Eight Spanish sail of the line,
               Sir John!

                      ANOTHER SAILOR
               Twenty sail of the line, Sir John!

                      ANOTHER SAILOR
               (Bawls)  Twenty-seven of the line!

                      JERVIS
               Belay there!  (To NELSON)  The die's cast - if
               there were fifty of the line -

                      NELSON
               Absolutely, sir...we engage!

                      JERVIS
               We engage.  I want you to pass between the two
               lines, put about (feels wind with his face) - nice
               light breeze - we'll run before the wind, split
               and engage the van.

                      NELSON
               Keep the rear at bay.  Yessir.

NELSON goes quickly.

                      JERVIS
               Good.  (Shouts)  And Nelson!  Don't bugger
               about on your own...

               ...on the other hand...

JERVIS smiles.  He is an admirer of Nelson's attacking strategies.

SCENE 13.

The battle of Cape St Vincent, off Cadiz.  On deck.

Shouting, smoke, the sound of cannon, pistol and musket fire, very loud.

NELSON and SAILORS leap on the gunwhale and board the San Nicolas.  Noise of
fighting.

Slowly the noise abates.  SAILORS scramble back on deck.  NELSON, covered in
blood, reboards to cheers, exits, returns swiftly, attended by TOM, in a clean
uniform.  TWO SAILORS set up a formal table.

The LIEUTENANT OF THE WATCH stands by formally.  NELSON waits, adjusting
his uniform, the BOSUN behind him.

Sound of pipe as the SPANISH CAPTAIN and his AIDE are piped aboard.  They rise
up a ladder and enter on deck, a gate being removed from the railing, stepping over
dead sailors and parts of dead sailors.  Blood in the scuppers.

The CAPTAIN steps up to the table.  He and NELSON eyeball each other and then
the CAPTAIN bends his head formally, takes two swords from his AIDE and presents
them formally to NELSON.  NELSON doesn't know what to do with them, turns,
hands them to the BOSUN who slings them on the deck behind him.  The SPANIARDS
are outraged.

                      SPANISH CAPTAIN
               (In Spanish)  In the name of the Virgin and all
               the Angels, this is beyond outrage!

NELSON looks at the BOSUN, baffled.  The BOSUN shrugs.  Cheers from the crew. 
NELSON struts as the furious Spaniards are hustled away.  NELSON raises his hat
to his victorious crew as they swarm back aboard with their loot and cheer him.

Matelots remove the table while booty is being brought aboard.

BOSUN'S pipe.

                      BOSUN
               Surgeon, sailmakers with shrouds on deck -
               (gestures)  Chaplain?

The CHAPLAIN enters, prayer-book in hand.  The SURGEON enters.  TWO
MATELOTS stand by to lay out the dead.  Some disagreement about which limbs
belong where.  The SURGEON shoves a limb down irritably, indicating "what does
it matter?", outraging the MATELOTS.  The SAILMAKER stands by with shrouds.

BOSUN'S whistle sounds.

                      BOSUN
               Watch crew to muster for burial service.

COLLINGWOOD and the WATCH OFFICER enter.  The SURGEON nods - the bodies
having been reasonably assembled.  Silence, awaiting the muster.  The CHAPLAIN
steps forward.

                      NELSON
               Hang on.

He descends quickly as the MATELOTS shove the bodies into the shrouds, the
SAILMAKER and MATELOTS waiting to sew them in.  NELSON looks down at the
bodies.

                      NELSON
               Take them off.

                      WATCH OFFICER
               Sir?

                      NELSON
               Take off the shrouds.

                      SAILMAKER
               Sir?  (He looks to the WATCH OFFICER for
               instructions.)

                      NELSON
               Shove them overboard.

                      SAILMAKER
               Sir?

                      WATCH OFFICER
               Sir, we can't -

                      NELSON
               Bosun - throw the bodies over the side. 
               (Consternation.)

                      COLLINGWOOD
               What - What?

                      NELSON
               Now.  The tide's on the turn - it must be now.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               No!  I protest -

NELSON picks up a limb, throws it overboard.

                      NELSON
               Do as I say!  Now!

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Have you lost your mind?  Disposal of human
               souls without benefit of clergy?

                      NELSON
               There's no time, dammit - if they're to wash up
               on the strand, dump them now!

Murmurings from the crew.  NELSON leaps up onto the gunwhale, holding onto the
deadeyes.

                      NELSON
               We need to make them believe that our ships are
               sunk.

He leaps down, evades COLLINGWOOD, throws stuff overboard.  Some muttering
SAILORS leap to hold on to their booty.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Stop it!  In God's name...!

                      NELSON
               We need flotsam.  Abandon those who have
               given their lives for us, their souls are safe -
               with God.  Now - it must be Now!
                      CHAPLAIN
               No - this is heinous, I protest!

                      NELSON
               We'll trick them into beating east while we sail
               north, to burn their fleet and every man in his
               bunk - do it for England, lads!

The WATCH OFFICER nods.  Cheering.  The bodies are thrown overboard.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               This is monstrous.

                      NELSON
               (Excited)  Absolutely!

He throws stuff overboard.

                      NELSON
               We'll make charcoal of the French fleet - that's
               our homage to brave English matelots - victory
               in their name!

Cheers.  The CREW hurl bodies and gear and booty overboard.

                      SAILOR
               (Heaves a bloody torso)  Cheero, Wall-Eye!
               (Throws a leg over the side)  So long, Lanky! 

COLLINGWOOD, outraged, exits.  NELSON, excited, throws gear over the side to
cheers from the MEN.  Chants of Nelson, Nelson, Nelson!

SCENE 14.

NELSON, in his cabin.  He is weeping uncontrollably.  HARDY enters.  NELSON
buries his face in HARDY, who embraces him with awkward concern.  NELSON
suddenly jumps up, hard and bright.

                      NELSON
               I know what they're up to.  The Spanish. 
               There's no time, we must make sail -

                      HARDY
               But -

                      NELSON
               Goddam it, Hardy, do as I say!

He leaves.  HARDY is bewildered.

                      HARDY
               We're not ready -

The stage darkens.  Noise, smoke, flashes of light, fire of burning ships, the sound
of cannon and musketry.  Dying to silence and darkness.

Apart, in low light, FANNY in dressing-gown and night-cap, paces, anxious.

ACT TWO.

SCENE 1.

SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON'S residence in Naples.  NELSON and SIR WILLIAM are
seated.  A SERVANT pours drinks and leaves.  NELSON has lost his right arm.

                      NELSON
               (In answer to query)  Crossfire as we reached
               the mole.

                      HAMILTON
               (Nods)  Thank God you were anchored so near,
               in reach of doctors to save your life.  Much
               blood loss?

                      NELSON
               Enough.  The next time I lose an arm the
               fucking surgeons can heat the knife first - a cold
               blade is the worst thing for flesh to tolerate.

                      HAMILTON
               A thought that makes you think.

                      NELSON
               Aye.

                      HAMILTON
               Warm the cutlasses before boarding, eh?

NELSON smiles briefly.  

Pause.

                      NELSON
               Look at me, William.  I'm half a man.

                      HAMILTON
               Not at all.  Not in the vital area.

                      NELSON
               But will she want me like this?

                      HAMILTON
               More than ever, I assure you.

                      NELSON
               Well, you know her, but no doubt you're being
               diplomatic.  Tell me the truth.  Better that I
               should leave quietly, I'm not a pretty sight - the
               wound is still open...(He shakes his head in
               misery.)

                      HAMILTON
               Does it hurt?

                      NELSON
               Shall I tell you the worst?  My fingers - which
               are no longer there - throb.  My disappeared
               wrist hurts, my absent elbow hurts - I hurt!

HARDY enters with dispatches.  SIR WILLIAM rises.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Cap'n Hardy.  Dispatches?

                      HARDY
               Yes, sir.

SIR WILLIAM turns to NELSON.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Are you able - ?

                      NELSON
               Yes, yes, yes.

SIR WILLIAM bows and leaves.

                      NELSON
               Well?  What?

                      HARDY
               The French have broken out of harbour.

                      NELSON
               Bound where?

                      HARDY
               We're awaiting a signal.

                      NELSON
               What else?

                      HARDY
               New orders.  Gunnery practice every forenoon.
                      NELSON
               (Rears up in anger, then winces with pain.) 
               Bloody army interference!  They fight on solid
               ground, where's the art in that?  Bloody Arthur
               Wellesley should keep his mouth shut - when
               has he taken on Napoleon?  The navy?  Poor
               marksmen?

               (HARDY laughs.)

               Is Lady Hamilton - ?

                      HARDY
               Still with the Queen, sir.

NELSON sinks back.  HARDY approaches with a letter.  NELSON reaches up for it.

                      HARDY
               Letter from Lady Nelson, sir.

                      NELSON
               Who?

                      HARDY
               Lady Nelson - your wife.

NELSON makes a hopeless effort to deal with the letter with his left hand, lies back
defeated, nods to HARDY to read out the letter.

                      HARDY
               (Breaks the seal, clears his throat and reads) 
               My dear Horatio.  Still no word from you.  I
               have sent off your boxes - the plum jam is not
               so good this year, but have enclosed your
               slippers and silk shirts and six pairs of stockings
               as requested.  Do please send a word, you have
               no idea of the worry we suffer.  Pray God that
               you will be taking ship and that we shall see you
               soon.  As ever - Your loving and faithful wife,
               Fanny.

Pause.

                      HARDY
               Right, sir.  (He makes to leave.)

                      NELSON
               (In a rage)  No!  Not right!  The wrong
               slippers, jam so badly packed that it ruined the
               shirts - tell her to get to the shirtmaker and to
               send twelve pairs of socks, not six - repeat
               Twelve - as requested!

He glares up at HARDY who is saved by EMMA'S entrance, escorted by SIR
WILLIAM.  HARDY bows and leaves.  EMMA flies past him to NELSON.  SIR
WILLIAM remains with alert discretion in the background.

                      EMMA
               Oh my beloved...my beloved!  

               (She embraces him.  He clings to her.)

               My hero!  Let me look at your dear face.  Oh,
               you are more beautiful than ever.  Pain has
               made you glorious.

                      NELSON
               Emma - oh, look at me -

                      EMMA
               Never mind - (she grasps him to her) -
               England's most precious treasure!  I shall nurse
               you, and the pain will slip away and you will
               sleep like a boy and we shall create simple,
               lovely things for you to eat, and make one-
               armed men the most fashionable creatures on
               earth.  First you must be well.  Rest...sleep,
               and more rest...more sleep...

She bathes his brow, gives him a drink.

                      EMMA
               Does Fanny know?  About the wound?

                      NELSON
               Not yet.  She'll only fuss.

She bends over him, kisses his lips gently.

                      EMMA
               Think of sun and stars and idleness - and ships
               and what to do when you are recovered and who
               to promote - who is worthy and who isn't and
               how to...

                      NELSON
               (Sleepy)  How to win.  (Pause)  How is your
               tush?

EMMA smiles down at him.

                      NELSON
               Good.

She sits, watching over him until he sleeps, bends and kisses him, covers him with a
light rug.  WILLIAM enters and they gaze down at NELSON'S sleeping form.

                      EMMA
               The prize of your collection.  I am displaced.

WILLIAM kisses her fingers.

                      WILLIAM
               (Murmurs)  No, no, no...

                      EMMA
               Can I compete with the bravest man alive?
                      WILLIAM
               Nelson is not my own living, breathing,
               creation, my Galatea.

                      EMMA
               Who will age - wither...

                      WILLIAM
               With elegance, wit - (kisses her fingers again)
               and ferocity.

They gaze at NELSON.

                      EMMA
               (Murmurs)  We'll share him.

                      WILLIAM
               And you will make him well, my goddess of
               mercy.

                      EMMA
               A goddess with a foul temper and a weakness
               for emeralds.

                      WILLIAM
               My jewels of a lifetime.  Emma and Nelson.

                      EMMA
               Your specimens!

                      WILLIAM
               My Eloise and Abelard - my Pyramus and
               Thisbe -

EMMA laughs.

                      EMMA
               How well did they end?

He kisses her hand in apology.  They gaze down at the sleeping NELSON.

                      EMMA
               He will be well.  And then he'll go to sea again. 
               And there will be the waiting and the waiting
               and the waiting.
                      WILLIAM
               Ye-es - thrilling...  

She gasps at this.

                      WILLIAM
               Apologies, divine one.  I am, alas, a bystander. 
               Perhaps it deadens the heart.

                      EMMA
               Oh, you - anatomist!

They lean towards NELSON as he stirs slightly.  He settles into sleep again.  They
regard him together.

                      WILLIAM
               Be assured - my only care is to see him restored
               to strength and to protect him.

                      EMMA
               Oh but how - how?

She sinks down beside NELSON.  Lights down as EMMA and WILLIAM keep watch.

By her bed, FANNY, in nightclothes, kneels, praying, hands clasped.

SCENE 2.

The King and Queen's reception.  Present are the KING and QUEEN, SIR WILLIAM
and LADY HAMILTON, NELSON, TROUBRIDGE and HARDY, COURTIERS.  A
formal dance is in progress.  EMMA and NELSON cannot take their eyes off each
other, noted fondly by the QUEEN, less so by TROUBRIDGE and HARDY.

                      QUEEN
               (As she circles NELSON in the dance)  Ah, my
               darling wounded sprite - spare me one glance,
               won't you?

                      NELSON
               I dare to dream, beloved Majesty.

He breaks away, circles EMMA.

                      EMMA
               She fancies you.

                      NELSON
               She can't have me.

They dance.

                      QUEEN
               (As she and NELSON come together)  Adorable
               imp.

                      NELSON
               Beware, Madam - I am not tame.

The QUEEN shrieks with delight.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Must he make a fool of himself!

As the dance ends and drinks are served TROUBRIDGE moves away.  HARDY
follows.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               What sort of example - he's a disgrace!  To you
               - me - and the British navy.

                      HARDY
               Have a heart, man!  Ssh.

                      QUEEN
               I hear you will leave us now, Nelson.

                      NELSON
               Duty calls, Majesty.

                      KING
               You are well enough in your health?...

                      NELSON
               I'll do.

                      KING
               ...because the vile Frogs must be stopped.

                      NELSON
               They will be, sire.

He stands alone, looking pale and ill.

                      QUEEN
               Poor sprite.  (To TROUBRIDGE and HARDY) 
               Can't you do it for him?

                      HARDY
               He'd like to see us try, Ma'am.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Aye!

                      QUEEN
               You long to be on your boat, Nelson, yah?

                      NELSON
               (Short laugh)  Ever been sea-sick, Ma'am?

                      QUEEN
               Certainly not.

                      NELSON
               Sea-sickness is no respecter of persons...

                      QUEEN
               Surely not you?

                      NELSON
               (Nods)  If I've been ashore long enough.

                      KING
               You - the Admiral - are sick?

NELSON nods.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Same for us all.

                      NELSON
               Which is why we stay afloat.  Never call the
               Frogs sailors, they are landsmen.  You are safe
               because we are on guard, 24-hour watch - out
               there.  At sea.  Where we belong.

                      KING
               Good.  Good.  Very good.  Very good.

                      QUEEN
               We thank you for our protection.

                      NELSON
               Ma'am.

                      QUEEN
               Poor Lady Hamilton will miss you.

                      EMMA
               Nelson must be where Nelson is needed.  You
               will hear no complaint from Sir William and me
               however much we miss his beloved presence.

                      KING
               To Nelson!

NELSON is toasted.  It pleases him.  He lifts his fin (his right shoulder) in
acknowledgement.

SCENE 3.

Aboard the Vanguard.  A council of war in the Captain's cabin.  Present are
NELSON, TROUBRIDGE and HARDY.  NELSON is perusing a report of enemy
movements.

                      NELSON
               Forty thousand troops, artillery, horses, cavalry,
               artificers - Astronomers?  Mathematicians? 
               Napoleon needs all this for the taking of Malta?

                      TROUBRIDGE
               He'll be after bigger quarry than Malta. 
               Constantinople?

                      HARDY
               Corfu?  Naples and Sicily are safe -

                      TROUBRIDGE
               They'll be sailing west - running downwind to
               join forces with the Spanish.

                      HARDY
               By God, we'll be outgunned.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               A fleet three times our size.

NELSON glares at him.  He paces.  They wait.  NELSON stops abruptly.

                      NELSON
               Astronomers?  Mathematicians?

               Cavalry?!

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Obviously planning a land battle.

                      NELSON
               So why ship them to Spain by sea?

TROUBRIDGE shrugs.  He does not know.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               (To HARDY)  With Napoleon there'll be some
               devilish plot, we need to proceed with caution.

NELSON flicks him a glance, then paces.  They wait.  He stops.

                      NELSON
               He's sailing east?

                      HARDY
               East?

                      TROUBRIDGE
               East?!

                      NELSON
               It's Egypt!

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Egypt?  What possible tactical advantage would
               that -

                      HARDY
               Why Egypt?

                      NELSON
               If Napoleon controls Egypt he controls the Red
               Sea.  From the Red Sea he can be in India in
               three weeks.

They gawp at him, mystified.

                      NELSON
               India!  The riches of the Orient, by God!  (He
               laughs at the audacity of it.)  Brilliant!

                      HARDY
               Shipping an army to the Levant?

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Not even Napoleon would hatch such an
               unlikely plan - what about supply routes?

                      NELSON
               He's sailing east, I tell you.
Silence.

                      HARDY
               It could make sense.  The complement of their
               fleet...

                      TROUBRIDGE
               No...no...no.

                      NELSON
               Egypt.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               To commit the fleet, with no signals, no
               evidence of movement -

                      HARDY
               Days before we know if we're on the right tack. 
               Very chancy.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Aye.  Pity Collingwood's not aboard, we need
               a cool head.

                      HARDY
               Yes.

                      NELSON
               Who?

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Collingwood.

                      NELSON
               Ah.  Collingwood.  The man of reason.

He hits the table with force.

                      NELSON
               I - am NOT a reasonable man!

                      TROUBRIDGE
               (Hostile)  Sir?
                      HARDY
               I know of no serving officer more capable of
               analysis and projection, Admiral -

                      NELSON
               That's the recipe.  When it comes to cooking it
               is not my disposition to bake with reason...

                      TROUBRIDGE
               - when reason is most required!

                      NELSON
               ...and you know why?

               Because war is not reasonable.

               War is against reason.  For war we must turn
               men into mechanisms for destruction.  Into
               beasts.  Fiendishness is what we inculcate. 
               Decency has no place.  Do I want a fair fight? 
               (As they nod.)  No!

               I want advantage.  A fight as unfair, as one-
               sided as I can command.  By any means.  By all
               available device.

                      HARDY
               Fair means or foul?

                      NELSON
               Belay fair.  A Collingwood is for fair - the
               rational - for returning chaos to order, madness
               to sanity.  

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Absolutely.

                      NELSON
               A Nelson...a Nelson is for destruction...
               treachery...
               Above all, for attack!

               Collingwood is a fine officer.  My friend.  And
               my enemy.  I will not have reasonable men
               about me.  He is a reproach.

               Get out the charts.  We sail for Egypt.  (He
               goes.)

                      HARDY
               By God, that was chilling.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Bloody outrageous.  He's wrong!  We'll be in
               the wrong place!  Madness.  Preferment too
               soon, that's the problem here.

                      HARDY
               Reward for endeavour, surely?

                      TROUBRIDGE
               No.  Luck.  (Mutters)  Madness.

Silence.

                      HARDY
               Egypt it is, then.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               The little prick.  God help us all.

They pore over the charts.

SCENE 4.

Night on passage to Egypt.  Moonlight.  On deck are TOM and two BOY SAILORS.

                      TIMOTHY
               Then what?

                      TOM
               We covers our eyes like honest, God-fearing
               men and stumbles through the swamp in our
               seaboots with the giant seasnakes asnapping and
               asnarling and hissing great gobs of ginger shit at
               our eyes - "Keep your eyes down" I shouts but
               there's never  been a mess deck yet not littered
               with a flavourin' o' fools.

                      JEM
               They got some on 'em?

                      TOM
               Oh aye.  (He pulls off his woollen sea cap in
               respectful remembrance, shakes his head sadly.) 
               Scuppered, they was.

                      TIMOTHY
               Killed?

                      TOM
               Would they hadda been, lads.  No such
               reasonable fate.  Oh no.  Them that gets hissed
               in the eyes by the Giant Seasnakes of the
               Mouldering Swamp is doomed to live horribly
               ever after scaring the seaboots off all who falls
               afoul of them.

                      TIMOTHY
               (Slight pause)  What happens if you sees one?

                      TOM
               Your pizzle falls off.

Silence.   The sounds of slatting sails, sheets and braces.

                      TOM
               We're sailing free now.  The wind's well abaft
               the beam.

                      JEM
               Where we headed, Tom?

                      TOM
               Back down to Alex.  When we didn't find him
               there Cap'n Troubridge reckoned Boney had
               pissed off to Corfu - sittin' on northerlies they
               could drop down anywhere in the Med - but he
               was wrong.  The Admiral was right...Egypt...
               only we got there too soon.  Boney was slowed
               up with his troopships.

                      JEM
               Troops?

                      TOM
               Aye.  We're in for a fight, lads.  Good sport,
               never fear, you'll enjoy yourselves.  All you has
               to remember is Rule Number One.

                      TIMOTHY
               What's that?

                      TOM
               Never mind that squint of yourn, when we
               boards, don't fall in.

                      JEM
               What's Rule Number Two?

                      TOM
               Same as Number One and Number Three.

                      JEM
               All the same to me, I can't swim.

                      TOM
               Good, you'll be drownded all the quicker. 
               Happened to a mate of mine.  Haven't seen him
               since.

He makes a warning sound.  NELSON appears on the quarter deck.
                      TOM
               Summat's up.  His fin's twitching.

NELSON goes.  A reverent silence.

                      TIMOTHY
               The surgeon's mate's learning me to write so's
               I can let 'em know in Deptford as I'm on board
               with Nelson.  Course they'll never believe me.

Four bells.  They go.

Pause.

NELSON and TROUBRIDGE appear on deck.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               We've lost them.

                      NELSON
               They're in Alexandria.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               If they are they're safe in harbour under the
               batteries and we're in for a blockade.  Or
               they've disgorged their troops and are off.

                      NELSON
               Then we'll catch them at sea.

Lights down as they go, and up slowly to daylight.

                      ELIOT
               (Aloft)  Enemy in sight!  Enemy in sight!

MIDSHIPMAN ELIOT swings from the yard to a backstay and down to the deck,
hurtles across the stage.  The signal "Enemy in Sight" is hoisted.  MEN climb the
rigging for a view of the French fleet.  NELSON comes on deck, putting on his coat,
TROUBRIDGE at his side.  They look with telescope.  Full sunlight.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               (Softly)  By God, there they lie.

                      NELSON
               Like a covey of fat pheasants -

                      TROUBRIDGE
               - ready for plucking.

HARDY joins them.

                      HARDY
               By God, Admiral.

                      NELSON
               Ah, Hardy.  Tomorrow I shall have gained a
               peerage or a slab in Westminster Abbey...either
               will do.

                      SAILOR
               (Aloft, calls)  Thirteen sail of the line and a
               whacking lot of frigates and small craft!

                      NELSON
               (Leans over and calls to LORD HOOD in the
               ZEALOUS, sailing close on his bow)  Lord
               Hood sir! - can you take your ship round the
               end of the enemy line?

                      HOOD
               (Calls from a distance)  Can try but we don't
               know the lie of the shoals!

NELSON speaks to OFFICE OF WATCH.

                      OFFICE OF WATCH
               (Calls)  Take soundings - take soundings!

                      NELSON
               (Calls to HOOD)  Good luck, Admiral.  (To
               TROUBRIDGE)  Hood's making sail -

                      TROUBRIDGE
               God wish him well.  What a sight.  (The sun
               begins to set.)  Thirteen great ships of the line. 
               There goes Captain Foley in the Goliath.

                      NELSON
               He's overhauling the Admiral.  By God!  By
               God!  (He leaps up onto the gunwhale.)  Do you
               see?  Foley's seen it.  Foley's seen it!  The
               French ships are only anchored by the bow -
               there must be room for them to swing 360
               degrees clear of the shoals - there's water all
               round them!  Where there's water for one 74
               gun ship to swing there's room for another to
               sail past!  (He bawls an order to HOOD)  Lord
               Hood!  Come in on the angle, blast the last in
               line from the rear and steer round the head of
               the line - keep them about 6 foot off our rigging
               and rake them on the blind side!  (He dances 
               up and down.)

Flashes of light, and sounds of guns.  The light goes.  

A broadside brings down spars.  NELSON is wounded, carried off.

Fighting.

NELSON reappears with his head bandaged.

                      SAILOR
               It's the L'Orient sir - she's burning!

                      NELSON
               God save their souls!

SAILORS watch the fire.   The L'ORIENT explodes.

SCENE 5.

The Captain's Cabin.  NELSON is dictating to a MIDSHIPMAN.  TWO SAILORS
stand by.

                      NELSON
               To Your Majesty and Your Lordship.  Almighty
               God has blessed His Majesty's Arms in the late
               Battle by a great Victory over the Fleet of the
               Enemy, whom I attacked at sunset on the 1st of
               August, off the mouth of the Nile.  I estimate
               French losses as 6 times those of our fleet at
               1700 killed, 1500 wounded and 3000 taken
               prisoner.  Of the 7 ships taken, 6 are fit to be
               commissioned into the Royal Navy.  To single
               out individuals would be invidious.  The
               judgement of the Captains, together with their
               valour and that of the officers and men of every
               description was absolutely irresistible.  Could
               anything from my pen add to the character of
               the Captains, I could write it with pleasure, but
               that is impossible.  (He faints and is carried to
               his bunk by the TWO SAILORS, his shoe falling
               off.)

Fade to black.

SCENE 6.

NAPLES.

NELSON in a bath.  A MAID brings large copper jugs of water and top up his bath. 
EMMA enters and washes his hair, rinses it from a smaller jug.  Then she washes him
like a child.  She helps him out of the bath, enfolding him in a large towel, so that
we are spared the sight of his stump.  Apart, TOM helps him on with a nightshirt and
slippers, bows and goes.  EMMA brings NELSON a glass of wine.  NELSON lifts his
glass to her, drinks, watches her as she pours a glass for herself and sits, at a
distance from him.  The sound of shouting, off.

                      EMMA
               What is it?

He rises, exits.  The sound of voices.  NELSON reappears half-dressed, followed by
TOM, who is helping him to dress.

                      NELSON
               Emma.  Pack everything of value.  I have
               informed their Majesties and Sir William.

                      EMMA
               What - why?

                      NELSON
               The French army have broken out and are
               already south of Rome.  We sail for Sicily on
               the tide.

                      EMMA
               Cannot we make a stand?

                      NELSON
               With what?  Militia?

                      EMMA
               I'll go to the Queen.  (She exits.)

                      TOM
               All right, sir?

                      NELSON
               We've been out-flanked, dammit!  I look a fool! 
               We must get the Royals to safety - how many
               ships has Sir William commandeered?

                      TOM
               Not sure, sir, but there's a lot of vases and
               statues being shipped aboard!

                      NELSON
               Oh Christ!

He goes quickly.  TOM puts things together calmly.

SCENE 7.

Aboard the VANGUARD, ship of the line, en route to Sicily.  Night.  Full storm -
lightning, thunder, the ship under bare poles.  Shouts as sailors try to work the ship. 
Voices of terrified passengers, topped by a terrifying woman's scream.

Slowly the storm abates.  The sounds die away to the slow sough of an easy sea.

The grey light of dawn.

The sounds of children crying.  The sounds increase.  EMMA erupts onstage, her hair
loose, gripping a shawl about her.

                      EMMA
               (Calls off)  Stop bawling or I'll crack your heads
               together!

She turns.  NELSON is standing there.

                      EMMA
               The Queen's youngest boy died of convulsions
               during the night.

They leave quickly together.

Pause.  Light to full daylight.  Warm sunshine.

                      SAILOR
               (Aloft)  Harbour in sight...land ho!

MATELOTS cross with baggage.

                      BOSUN
               (Offstage)  Let go anchors!

The sound of anchor chains.

EMMA appears, escorting the cloaked QUEEN.

                      QUEEN
               (Stops)  Where is the child?  I do not see him. 
               I see his nurse but where is the child?

                      EMMA
               Ma'am.  We are going ashore now, the ordeal
               is over.

                      QUEEN
               No, I don't leave without the child.

                      EMMA
               Please - the King wishes - for the family -

                      QUEEN
               He is dead!  He is dead - I know he is dead!

EMMA helps the QUEEN off.  SIR WILLIAM appears, assisting the KING, who seems
dazed.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               This way, Your Majesty -

                      KING
               Is it over?

                      SIR WILLIAM
               We are at anchor.

The KING lurches forward, stops, turns back.

                      KING
               How is the little one?

SIR WILLIAM cannot answer.  He shakes his head.  The KING, taking his meaning,
nods slowly.

                      KING
               Ah.  Ah.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               I'm so sorry, sir.

The KING glowers at him.

                      KING
               We liked that one.

He seems unsteady and confused.  SIR WILLIAM takes his elbow to steer him off.

                      KING
               (Calls)  Nelson!  Too rough...too rough!

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Your royal quarters are ready.  Sire - you will
               be comfortable now.

                      KING
               Yes.  And plenty of woodcock, cavaliere - it's
               the right season.  Good sport, have your
               cannone ready.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Yes, indeed.

EMMA enters as he guides the KING off.  The KING stops - turns again.

                      KING
               How is the little one?

SIR WILLIAM, anguished, looks across to EMMA, huddled and white-faced in her
shawl.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               This way, sir.

                      KING
               (Going)  We asked you a question.  We liked
               that one.

They go.  EMMA collapses, sits, exhausted.  She looks up as NELSON enters.

Silence.

                      EMMA
               I say this, Nelson.  If men grew arms and legs
               in their bellies they would not be minded to
               dispose of them so lightly.

Pause.

                      NELSON
               And the alternative?  

               What would you have - Napoleon in Whitehall?
                      EMMA
               Yes, rather than lose one hair of one baby's
               head!

NELSON walks, fetches up in front of her.

                      NELSON
               What if he came at you with a sword, to kill
               that baby?

                      EMMA
               Then I would stab him to the heart.

               (Quietly)  I'm tired, Nelson.

Silence.  The sound of the sea, soft and gentle.

He looks down at her.

                      NELSON
               I lusted after you from the moment I saw you. 
               As most men, no doubt.

               Now I love you.  I have seen you, through that
               storm, when we were like to founder, every
               man, woman and child on board sick with fear,
               infuse that ship with courage.  You are an
               Amazon.  You share not just your beauty but
               your sagacity, your hope.  You make us all
               survive - you insist upon it.  You are the bravest
               creature I know.

                      EMMA
               (Looks up)  No.  Nelson is that.  

                      NELSON
               (Dismissive)  Oh, attack is simple.

He sits beside her.

                      EMMA
               Are you never afraid?

NELSON ponders.

                      NELSON
               No.  I faint sometimes.

                      EMMA
               And I've seen you weep.

                      NELSON
               That too.

                      EMMA
               Your secret is safe with me.

                      NELSON
               Oh, they all know.

                      EMMA
               (Rises)  What I know is this.  My reason for
               being is to keep you alive.

               How can an Emma exist without a Nelson?  I
               would be dead in six months - three,  two, a
               week.

She walks away.  He follows.

                      EMMA
               Air that is not breathed by Nelson will not be
               breathed by me.

They embrace fiercely, and go.

SCENE 8.

FANNY in London.

FANNY is sitting in silence as church bells, loud, crash out glorious carillons.  Then
silence.  The MAID enters, bobs.

                      MAID
               His Lordship, Your Ladyship.

FANNY rises, excited.  It is VICE-ADMIRAL LORD COLLINGWOOD.  She checks.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Fanny...(he kisses her cheek.)

                      FANNY
               Cuthbert.  How are you?  It's very good to see
               you - you are well?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Indeed, and yourself?

                      FANNY
               Thank you, yes.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Isn't it splendid - bells all over London,
               celebrating Nelson's achievement!  In church the
               Bishop was in tears!  How is he?  Is he
               recovered, he took a ricochet, did he not?  Is he
               on his feet?  May I see him?

                      FANNY
               I'm sorry.

               Horatio has been delayed.  He is in England -
               but not in London.  There is so much to be
               done, I am sure.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               No doubt.  No doubt.  Will he - when may we
               expect him?

                      FANNY
               (Picks up a letter)  By Thursday.  We are to
               give a dinner for the Prince.  As you know,
               Horatio was his lieutenant when he was a
               midshipman - so - a - a dinner is to be arranged. 
               Here.  You will, of course, be our guest?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Am I invited, does he want me?

                      FANNY
               I want you, Cuthbert.  Please.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Then I'm honoured.

He kisses her hand.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Heady times, Fanny.  We are all swept up.  But
               storms pass, winds die away, seas calm to glass
               again.  Our task is support.

                      FANNY
               Yes.  That is what I intend to do.  Good of you
               to look in.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               The honour's mine, depend on it.

FANNY gives him his hat, escorts him to the exit.  He takes her hands.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Courage and a steady course, Fanny.

                      FANNY
               I am well trained in it, Cuthbert - I am, after
               all, married to the navy.

He kisses her cheek and goes.  The bells peal again, joyously triumphant, and very
loud.

SCENE 9.

The dinner party at FANNY'S residence.  Present, at the head of the table, is
PRINCE WILLIAM, with EMMA on his right, and NELSON on his left.  FANNY is
at the other end with COLLINGWOOD on her left and SIR WILLIAM HAMILTON on
her right.  To his right is HARDY, to COLLINGWOOD'S left is TROUBRIDGE.  The
meal is nearing its end.  A FOOTMAN refills glasses with red wine.  The PRINCE'S
glass is huge and he drinks freely.

                      PRINCE
               (To EMMA)  I got them married, Nelson and his
               little lady down there.  What a good little soul
               she is - (he waves genially to FANNY) - no fun
               being a naval wife, don't you know.  When I'm
               Admiral of the Fleet, wives will be allowed
               passage - well, if their men want them and we
               aren't up for a fight.  How's that for the troops,
               Nelson?

                      NELSON
               Need bigger ships, sir.

                      PRINCE
               Build 'em - build 'em!  I hear one of your ships
               sank, Sir William - the one full of Greek vases
               when you had to run for Sicily.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Alas yes, Your Highness.  A tragedy.  Two
               thousand years of history lost forever.

                      PRINCE
               Never mind - still got your best treasure, eh? 
               (Paws EMMA'S hand)  You'd trade a fleet for
               this one - who wouldn't, eh, Nelson?

FANNY notices that EMMA is uncomfortable.  Gives the FOOTMAN a cushion for
EMMA'S back.

                      NELSON
               Sir?

                      PRINCE
               Come on man, pass the port - other hand, other
               hand - oh, sorry.

                      NELSON
               Not at all, sir.  What's an arm between
               shipmates?

                      PRINCE
               Shipmates - yes!  (He puts an arm round
               NELSON, engulfing him)  And none prouder
               than yours truly.  Do you know - (to EMMA)
               this light-footed fox was my lieutenant when I
               was a midshipman.  Best Jimmy I ever served
               under.  Where was it?  Atlantic - Pacific?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Calls)  Caribbean, sir.

                      PRINCE
               That's right!  I took money off you at cards. 
               (To NELSON)  Pity about the arm - makes you
               look lop-sided.

EMMA rises, sways.

                      NELSON
               (Raps to FANNY at the other end of the table) 
               Lady Hamilton is not well - can't you see, she
               is not well!

FANNY rises, SIR WILLIAM likewise but EMMA waves him back as FANNY takes her
arm.  FANNY and EMMA go.  NELSON gestures to HARDY to go and look after
EMMA.

                      HARDY
               Excuse me, Sire.  (Goes.)

                      PRINCE
               Hardy?  Where's he going, what's the matter?

               Not me, is it?  Am I misbehaving?

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Never sir.  Never been known.

                      PRINCE
               Sir William?

                      SIR WILLIAM
               I salute England's finest, sir.

                      PRINCE
               But do you love me?  No, no, you're a sport. 
               Gentlemen - glasses.  A toast to the finest
               looking woman in England - Lady Hamilton! 
               (They toast Lady Hamilton.)

                      PRINCE  (Cont'd)
               And here's to Nelson, and the battle of the Nile. 
               (They toast NELSON.)

               Mind you, I'd have caught that bugger Napoleon
               at Malta, meself.  I know, let's play Cardinal
               Puff.  Come on - what's the matter, am I
               misbehaving?  (To NELSON)  No, I adore that
               woman, so does the Prince of Wales so watch
               out - watch out Sir William.  Sir - I toast you. 
               There's prestige in being England's premier
               cuckold.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Oh Christ, here we go.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               I prefer the word custodian, sir.  I am a
               collector of beauty but not, I hope, its jailer.

                      PRINCE
               Bloody good.  No.  Splendid woman - find one
               for me, will you?  Pick me out a filly - mine's
               in foal half the time - what are you supposed to
               do - (He falls, drunk, onto the table.)

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Good God.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Never could hold his drink.

                      SIR WILLIAM
               Does the navy bring out the best in him, I
               wonder.

                      TROUBRIDGE
               Keeps him off the streets.  Nelson?  (Indicates
               the port.)

NELSON rises.

                      NELSON
               I must see to Emma.

He goes.  COLLINGWOOD, SIR WILLIAM and TROUBRIDGE sit in silence.

SCENE 10.

FANNY'S BEDROOM.

She is in her nightclothes and a lace night cap.  NELSON stands apart.  Candlelight.

                      FANNY
               So it's true.  (NELSON is silent.)

               I've never seen a woman's body so invaded. 
               She is in milk already!  (NELSON turns away.)

Silence.

                      FANNY
               Sir William -

                      NELSON
               Is not the father.

Silence.

                      FANNY
               It is too open.  You are putting the matter in the
               public eye.  (He is silent.)  I will speak to Sir
               William.  He must persuade Lady Hamilton to
               leave London.

                      NELSON
               No.

                      FANNY
               But your career, your reputation...you are at
               risk!

                      NELSON
               I am well acquainted with risk.

                      FANNY
               Risk on behalf of your nation is one thing. 
               Horatio, can you not see?  We are not high
               enough in nobility to be safe from opinion.  One
               public scandal and we are done for.

Pause.

                      NELSON
               When I am with her I am alive.  Undamaged.

               When she is there I am All Right.  Can you
               understand that Fanny?  How I feel?  My
               feelings?

Pause.

                      FANNY
               I honour and respect you.  I have great pride in
               your achievements and I suffer for it - I live in
               anxiety for your safety, your health, your
               survival.

               But feelings such as you -

               No.  I have never wanted - sought - felt the
               need to - cavort.  It is not congenial to me.

Lights down and up.  It is later into the night.  FANNY and NELSON pace, crossing
each other.

                      FANNY
               I am your Wife!

               You chose me.  Me.  Fanny.

               Am I nothing?  Is virtue, temperance, reason to
               be disregarded?  I have prayed for your safety
               from one dawn to the next through all the weary
               days, months, years of your absence - my very
               anxieties have kept me afloat.  I have been
               lonely.  Alone.  Without a husband.  If we are
               without issue, well, who knows?  Had we been
               as most partners - constantly together...we were
               - to be vulgar - never at it.  You, because of
               your calling, have never been a full husband to
               me.  You have been husband to your nation, to
               your ship, to your comrades in arms and I
               submit to that, but - oh - for you to come into
               town in all your glory, with another woman. 
               And such a woman - a woman of -

                      NELSON
               Well?

                      FANNY
               You are not a fool, Horatio.  You know of Lady
               Hamilton's history - mistress to Sir Charles
               Greville, passed on by him to his uncle, Sir
               William -

                      NELSON
               A man who has honoured her with his name.

                      FANNY
               (Trembling)  I - I admit Lady Hamilton's
               beauty, warmth, her kindness - but how can I -
               asking me to receive her at our table - it is Out
               of Place!

               Please.  Think, Horace.  Can you really intend
               to throw away everything you have achieved? 
               I have submitted to my puny needs being down
               the line and the loneliness of my life which has
               been made even more painful by your elevation
               - where there was snub now there is fawning -
               I accept it - all of it with pride in your
               achievement.  I know that what I offer, the quiet
               pursuits of a country life - yes, I see how little
               they must intrude on your glorious, glittering
               life of fame and renown, and I wish I thought
               you the humbler man for it!

               Come home, Horace.  Please.

Silence.

                      NELSON
               She suits me.
               We belong in the same world.

               When I'm with her I feel at home.

                      FANNY
               (Low)  Please.

               Think of your family!

                      NELSON
               She is carrying my child.

FANNY'S heart breaks.  She stoops, lifts a candelabrum, stands and gazes at him in
shock.  And goes.  NELSON sits, head down, his hand on his knee.  Then he slaps
his knee, rises and goes swiftly.

SCENE 11.

NELSON and EMMA'S house at MERTON.

OLD TOM is telling a story to a little girl, Nelson's daughter, HORATIA, who is
lying on her stomach, head supported on her elbows.

                      TOM
               ...so there we are, astumbling through the
               swamp in our smelly old seaboots with the giant
               snakes asnapping and asnarking and hissing huge
               gobs of ginger sh-spit and I tells the poor young
               sailormen to keep their eyes shut lessen they
               gets spat on and adone for...

                      HORATIA
               How could they see where to go if they had
               their eyes shut?

                      TOM
               They couldn't, could they, so they open 'em and
               gets squirted -

                      HORATIA
               (Eagerly)  - and killed?

                      TOM
               Worse'n that.

                      HORATIA
               Worse?

                      TOM
               Them that gets spit in the eye by the Giant
               Snakes of the Mildewy Swamp loses their - (he
               turns to see NELSON) - loses their - their best
               Sunday bonnet and their hair goes out of curl. 
               Morning, sir.

HORATIA runs, jumps up and NELSON catches her with one arm and she puts an
arm around his neck.

                      HORATIA
               Papa!
NELSON walks apart with TOM, HORATIA clinging to his neck.  TOM listens, nods,
takes HORATIA in his arms and goes.  HORATIA looks back over his shoulder at
NELSON who goes to her for a last kiss.  She smiles up at him and TOM bears her
away.

NELSON'S hair is greying but he looks much the same.  EMMA enters, fuller in
figure but as beautiful as ever.  They kiss briefly, she ties his stock.

                      NELSON
               Collingwood, calling on us!

EMMA shakes her head.

                      EMMA
               Calling on you, because you are needed.

                      NELSON
               So stay and receive him, offer congratulations.

                      EMMA
               For a stiff bow and a glance past my shoulder? 
               I shall save us both the embarrassment.  In any
               case (she laughs) - Collingwood?  Admiral of
               the Fleet?

                      NELSON
               Oh, Cuth's sound enough.

But he breaks away and paces, with his stealthy, light-footed tread.

                      NELSON
               I shall have the Victory.

                      EMMA
               Oh, you will!  (NELSON grins.) 

               I've packed the medicine chest.  Camomile -
               Tom will infuse it for you - and laudanum when
               the headache is bad.

They cross, look out at the view together.

                      NELSON
               The river is high already.  I shall miss the river.

                      EMMA
               Not as exciting as the sea.

                      NELSON
               But more companionable.  Tom's taken Horatia
               down to bathe.  I told him to keep her away
               from the house until the carriage leaves.  I don't
               want her to see me cry.

                      EMMA
               (Kisses him)  Of course not.  Not until her
               wedding day.  Then you can cry.

                      NELSON
               I must finish dressing.

                      EMMA
               And I must disappear.

                      NELSON
               Stay a little longer?

                      EMMA
               No.  You're gone from me already.

They embrace, a long, needful embrace.

                      NELSON
               It gets harder.  I never thought not to want to be
               aboard.

                      EMMA
               We are here for you, where we belong - willing
               as ever to share you with England.

                      NELSON
               My practical woman.

                      EMMA
               And a sailor's doxy.  Ready at all hours of the
               watch.

He laughs, smacks her on the bum, and goes.

EMMA stands, immobile.  Then shakes herself awake.

                      EMMA
               (Matter of fact)  Mine eyes smell onions.  I shall
               weep anon.

She goes.  Pause.  A SERVANT shows in COLLINGWOOD and HARDY.

                      HARDY
               So, here we are.  Pretty place, sir.

COLLINGWOOD grunts agreement.

                      HARDY
               Fine quarters, but the Admiral will be pleased to
               be aboard.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Yes, yes.

NELSON enters.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Ah!

                      NELSON
                Admiral.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Admiral.

                      NELSON
               Congratulations on - (COLLINGWOOD,
               embarrassed, turns away.)  So - he's on the
               move?

                      HARDY
               At last.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Villeneuve's in Cadiz and the French Fleet have
               quit Toulon on Napoleon's orders.
                      NELSON
               They're at sea?

                      HARDY
               Yes!  At last!

                      NELSON
               Hah!  Months of being congratulated by the
               Admiralty on our blockade when we've been
               trying to entice the buggers out.

COLLINGWOOD is not amused.

NELSON walks apart, gives dispatches to HARDY.

                      NELSON
               I want decent victualling on the Victory.  Six
               ounces of lemon juice a day with sugar - leeks,
               pumpkins, sheep and oranges.

                      HARDY
               Very good.

                      NELSON
               Have a word with stores below - they have the
               lists.

HARDY bows and goes.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Well, Nelson.

                      NELSON
               Well, Admiral.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Harrumph.  Saw your little girl out there.

                      NELSON
               Horatia.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Fine child.

                      NELSON
               How's Your daughter?  (He pours drinks.)

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Comes to life)  Sarah?  Oh, she's splendid. 
               What a pity she - they can't -

Silence.

                      NELSON
               Congratulations on your elevation.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Thank you.

                      NELSON
               Remember how I kept you down?  I never was
               a nice man, Cuth.  What was it you called me? 
               The little stoat?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               Sea-wolf, I think I said.

                      NELSON
               Remember when I threw dead sailors overboard
               to fox the French?

               (COLLINGWOOD shakes his head at the
               memory.)

               It worked.  We fooled them.  The mariners left
               to drift wouldn't have said no.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               To a decent Christian burial?

                      NELSON
               To saving the lives of shipmates.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               You weren't loved that day.

                      NELSON
               No I wasn't.  I played the cheat.  And won.

               There's the difference between us.  You've
               always settled for the luxury of decency.  To
               me, for a fighting man to crave virtue amounts
               to treason.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Half-rising)  I beg your pardon?

                      NELSON
               You're traitors, Coll - you and your sort.  Oh,
               you're prepared to risk flesh - you'll haul a man
               off a rampart, lead a boarding charge, but you
               won't risk what's in Here (he strikes his temple)
               ...or Here.  (He strikes his chest.)

                      COLLINGWOOD
               That's enough.

                      NELSON
               Cuthbert Collingwood.  Admiral of the Fleet. 
               Chosen by the reasonable men in Whitehall.

Silence.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               I don't respect you, Horace.  I never have.

               I don't approve of your actions - rash -
               dangerous - murderous -

                      NELSON
               Successful -

                      COLLINGWOOD
               You've been lucky.

               I don't approve of your tactics, your strategy -
               - nor of your private life.

                      NELSON
               Please - don't -

                      COLLINGWOOD
               You are a public figure.

               You shame us.  You shame the service.

               Nonetheless...nonetheless I am prepared to
               concede that without your freakish forays we
               might now be wearing the Tricolore and sending
               signals in French.

               However -

               However, from now on -

               (They eyeball each other.)

               From now on -

               We'll see.

NELSON refills their glasses.

                      NELSON
               Just so long as you give me my head...freedom
               to -

                      COLLINGWOOD
               You'll take it anyway.

They look at each other.  And then lift their glasses.

                      COLLINGWOOD
               To a fair wind.

They drink.

NELSON pushes a large bowl towards COLLINGWOOD.

                      NELSON
               Walnut?

                      COLLINGWOOD
               (Shakes his head)  My teeth, alas.

                      NELSON
               Mine too.

They look at each other and laugh ruefully.

SCENE 12.

Aboard the VICTORY.

Early light.  Decks being swabbed.  JEM and TOM look out to sea.

They cross to TOM as MEN go aloft unreefing sails.

                      TIMOTHY
               Quiet eh, Tom?

                      TOM    
               Quiet enough, lads.

Silence between them.  TOM is making a fender of matted coir.  They watch him.

                      JEM
               It's not dying I'm afeared of.

                      TIMOTHY
               Not much!

                      JEM
               Even losing a leg, or an arm like himself - it's -
               it's -

                      TOM
               It's losing your peepers.

                      JEM
               Aye.

                      TOM
               Don't worry.  If'n your face gets blowed in, I'll
               brain you with a marlinspike.

                      JEM
               (Grateful)  Thanks, Tom.

They go silent.

Aloft, sails are unreefed.

SCENE 13.

NELSON'S CABIN.

                      BOSUN
               (Offstage)  Evoe, evoe, lash up and stow.

NELSON, in his shirt sleeves, paces, abstracted.

TOM enters, lays out NELSON'S uniform.  NELSON turns.

                      NELSON
               Ah.  Yes.

TOM begins to dress NELSON.

HARDY enters.  NELSON nods to him.  HARDY watches as TOM dresses NELSON
in silence.

                      NELSON
               (Quietly, to himself)  God I hate war.

TOM and HARDY exchange a look of surprise.

NELSON calls to HARDY.

                      NELSON
               Don't you?

                      HARDY
               I never think about it.  Fact of life.

                      NELSON
               It's wrong.  Against nature.

               Nature is Life, Hardy!

                      HARDY
               And death.

                      NELSON
               Natural rot and accident - that's different.  I'm
               talking of cold destruction.  What we are paid to
               do.
HARDY looks at TOM, mystified.  TOM shrugs.

                      HARDY
               What we are paid for is the defence of the realm
               against savagery and despotism.

                      NELSON
               And how do wars end?

                      HARDY
               One side wins and the other side loses.

                      NELSON
               Wars end by men sitting around a table.

               Look at me.  The hero.

               A disabled, disfigured man and for what?

               For men to sit around a table.

                      HARDY
               (Trying to be jolly.  To TOM)  Is he often like
               this?

                      TOM 
               Couldn't say, sir.

                      NELSON
               I chose the wrong profession.

               (He paces, thinking.  They wait.)

               There are only three professions, Hardy -
               Teaching, Medicine -

               - and Politics.

                      HARDY
               Politics?

                      NELSON
               Rum, isn't it?  I never had any doubts.  To be
               a fighting man - to risk body - and soul -

               But -

               On reflection...

               Why?

                      NELSON  (Cont'd)
               Why risk this, (he strikes himself on the chest)
               the only repositories of thought when thought -
               thought alone can solve conflict.

                      HARDY
               Tame wild animals with reason?

                      NELSON
               By vote.  By law.  By prevention.  To give
               despotism its head is political vandalism.  Wars
               can, should, must be won at the table - and
               Never Happen.

                      HARDY
               I wish I shared your faith in the skill, not to
               mention the probity of politicians.

                      NELSON
               It's not a matter of virtue.  It's a matter of
               corruption.  Of how - when to corrupt.  Or
               consent to be corrupted.

                      HARDY
               The end justifies the means?

                      NELSON
               That's just it.  What ends?  What means? 
               There's the responsibility.  In the politics - all in
               the politics.

               I've been a fool.  A brute lackey waist-deep in
               entrails and for what?  Where's the national
               profit in blowing a man to pieces, piercing his
               back-bone -
               Useless, mindless, unbearable waste.  The
               reason to elide killing is because it is irrelevant.

               Unprofitable.

               Not in our interest.

               I am a family man now.

               I tell you, Hardy.  After this battle it's
               Parliament for me.  Time to belay bomb, cutlass
               and cannon for a more potent weapon.

                      NELSON  (Cont'd)
               Words, Hardy!  Why has it taken me so long? 
               The action's not offshore - it's in Whitehall.  I
               can hardly wait to be suspected for acting, for
               not acting, despised for changing sides, disliked
               for refusing to sign, loathed for signing, for
               playing both ends against the middle, for
               assuming, dissembling - rewarding the weak,
               neglecting the strong, favouring the cheat and
               ignoring the honest man - and all, all in the
               name of the people - for their children, their
               dependants and their descendants.  Breathtaking.

               I can't wait for the game to begin.  I shall be
               good at it.

He holds out his arms for his coat.  Four bells ring.  HARDY stands back as TOM
hands NELSON his hat.  But NELSON pauses, indicates for them to leave.

TOM gathers up NELSON'S clothes, follows HARDY off.

NELSON, alone, drops to his knees in prayer.

                      NELSON
               May the great God whom I worship grant to my
               country, and for the benefit of Europe in
               general, a great and glorious victory.  And may
               no misconduct in anyone tarnish it and may
               humanity, after victory, be the predominant
               feature in the British fleet.  For myself,
               individually, I commit my life to Him that made
               me, and may His blessing alight on my
               endeavours for serving my country faithfully. 
               To Him I resign myself and the just cause which
               is entrusted to me to defend.  Amen.  Amen. 
               Amen.

SCENE 14.

The deck of the VICTORY.

Bosun's whistle.  Sails are hoisted and flap in the breeze.  The OFFICER of the
WATCH appears on the quarter-deck.

                      OFFICER OF WATCH (A Lieutenant)
               (Shouts)  Captain to quarter-decks, gunners to
               gundecks, carpenters and repair parties to the
               orlop decks, surgeons stand by, marines to
               upper-decks, lieutenants to gundecks.

NELSON, HARDY, a CAPTAIN, LIEUTENANT, and the BOSUN appear on the
quarter-deck in close conference.  A SAILOR enters, hovers, manages to attract
NELSON'S attention.  NELSON turns to him.

                      SAILOR
               (To NELSON)  Sorry, sir.  About the signal. 
               Could I use "expects" instead of "confides" -
               only "expects" is just the one flag, sir, makes a
               clearer message.

NELSON thinks.

                      NELSON
               (Thinks)  Expects -

               Very good.

                      SAILOR
               Thank you, sir.

He salutes and goes.

NELSON returns to his staff.  The LIEUTENANT (Officer of the Watch) unfurls a
chart.  They confer, heads together.

The SAILOR enters and flies the flag signal.  All look up.

                      NELSON
               Collingwood will say what the devil's all that
               for?

The OTHERS laugh.

                      CAPTAIN
               (Reading the signal)  England - Expects - that -
               every - man - will do - his - duty.

The light brightens.  The OTHERS on the quarter-deck move off quietly, leaving
NELSON alone.  He scans the horizon.  He paces.

A stillness falls on deck.  Only NELSON paces.  Then he is motionless, slight and
frail and colourful in his full uniform.  Back to us, he gazes out to sea.  Now there
is an uncanny silence.  Total silence.  The scene is frozen and becomes a painting in
glorious light.

A quiet voice reads out the names of British mariners lost at Trafalgar, ending with
Admiral the Lord Nelson.

MUSIC.

                                      THE END.