Songs and dreams

‘All holy songs are made of dreams,’ says he.

Flashman at the Charge, p.286, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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A windy streak

I’ve often wondered since, if chaps like Chinese Gordon and Bobs and Custer always went about feeling the way I did that night – not knowing what fear was? It would account for a lot, you know. But God help anyone who’s born that way; I’m sorry for ’em. You can’t know any real peace of mind, I think, unless you’ve got a windy streak in you.

Flashman at the Charge, p.284, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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All men fear

It is no sin to be fearful, any more than it is a sin to be one-legged or red-haired. All men fear – even Yakub and Kutebar and all of them. To conquer fear, some need love, and some hate, and some greed, and some even – hasheesh.

Flashman at the Charge, pp.283-4, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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As only a coward can

I detested her in that moment, as only a coward can when he hears the truth to his face.

Flashman at the Charge, p.283, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Seeking sorrow and raving heroically

The terrible thing was that I remembered the battle very clearly, and my own incredible behaviour – I knew I’d gone bawling about like a Viking in drink, seeking sorrow and raving heroically in murderous rage, but I couldn’t for the life of me understand why. It had been utterly against nature, instinct and judgement – and I knew it hadn’t been booze, because I hadn’t had any, and anyway the liquor hadn’t been distilled that could make me oblivious of self-preservation. It appalled me, for what security does a right-thinking coward have, if he loses his sense of panic?

Flashman at the Charge, pp.281-2, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Blue touch paper

‘Stand clear, boys and girls,’ I sang out. ‘Papa’s going to light the blue touch-paper and retire immediately!’

Flashman at the Charge, p.274, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Infidel professors of Anglistan

‘What science is here! Wisdom beyond that of the great astronomer of Samarkand has gone into the making of these fine instruments. I salute you Flashman bahadur, and the genius of your infidel professors of Anglistan.’

Flashman at the Charge, p.272, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Sweet phrase

Remember the Persian saying: “Lick up the honey, stranger, and ask no questions”.

Flashman at the Charge, p.265, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Sex kitten

I’ve seduced – and been seduced – in some odd ways, but never before with a kitten pressed into service as a pimp.

Flashman at the Charge, p.262, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Wattling, no doubt

I stood there, wattling no doubt, and trying to think of a cutting retort – but interrupting a conversation between a woman and a cat ain’t as easy as it might seem. One tends to look a fool.

Flashman at the Charge, p.261, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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Lessons from tribulation

One thing tribulation teaches you, and that is to wear the mask when there’s nothing else for it.

Flashman at the Charge, p.259, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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An off-hand grin

…here they looked at me with reverent eyes, and I managed an off-hand grin that any dentist would have recognized first go.

Flashman at the Charge, p.258, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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A quiet morning for Flashman

…I was lounging in the camp’s little market, improving my Persian by learning the ninety-nine names of God (only the Bactrian camel knows the hundredth, which is why they look so deuced superior) from an Astrabad caravan-guard-turned-murderer…

Flashman at the Charge, p.251, Pan edition, 5th printing, 1979.

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