Military life in Italy : sketches - Societa italiana di storia militare

104 MILITARY LIFE.
And all the others joined in :
"
Yes, teach us a beautiful barcarolle."
" Oh, apply to him," replied the Paduan, pointing
to one of
his neighbors, who was something of a tenor and a poet.
" Make him improvise a romance, that 's his profession."
"
They all approved in chorus : Courage, Mr. Poet, out with
the romance, out with the music, out with the voice, or out with
some banter."
I think my friend, to
whom these words were addressed, had
a poem all composed in his head, because he accepted the
invitation too promptly and with too manifest pleasure, but
at all events he did not bring out any thing but very ordinary
verses, camp verses, which means rather labored stuff.
" We want a guitar
. . ."
" But where can we get a guitar ? Do guitars grow here ? "
" Wait wait," shouted a third, starting off on a run for the
inn. A short time after, he returned, guitar in hand.
" It is
all very well to talk about not finding a guitar here within a few
miles of the city of gondolas and love."
The poet (pray pardon him) took the guitar, struck
an attitude
;
all
gathered around him, were silent and expectant.
" Listen ;
first I will recite the verses and refrain; then I will
sing the verse and you others the refrain."
" " All right," they all replied ; start off with the left foot."
And the poet began : Pur ti saluto anch' io,
O Venezia immortale !
Che infinite desio,
Cara, ion' avea nel cor !
Che divino m" assale
Entusiasmo d' amor !