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

THE SON OF THE REGIMENT.
IO5
"
"What nonsense ! what nonsense ! interrupted our jovial
friend, who had made the proposal to drink "
; what *s this stuff ?
We don't want any melancholy, we want to be gay ; give us
a barcarolle ; go along with your " desire " "
and your immortal,"
that you. are improvising, my dear poet Do you think
!
"
we look sentimental ?
All those who had taken a little more than was good for
them approved his sentiments loudly.
" Fine taste," I observed, " to wish to make clowns of
yourselves ! There is really a chance of it, with this probability
in the air of being obliged
to sheathe our swords and
take once more the road to Ferrara, and return who knows
whither to lead the poppy-like sort of life of a garrison ! We
ought to turn clowns ! "
The sentimental part of the company were of my opinion ;
the revellers insisted on their rights, the poet held firm, and
the party was divided. Half moved off a few steps from us,
lighted cigars, and continued to tipple with the best grace in
the world ;
the others took up the interrupted song.
"We will sing you a refrain "
too, Messrs. Snivelling Poets !
shouted one of the merry-makers, raising his glass :
laughed.
"
Sing, do," replied our party.
the rest all
And the poet (pray pardon him) resumed :
Che divino m" assale
Entusiasmo d' amor !
And the chorus :
Si, Venezia immortale,
1" abbiam tutti nel cor.