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

1 8d. MILITAR Y LIFE.
rose noisily, clinking their glasses and spilling the wine on the
table:
"Evviva!"
The syndic fell heavily on to his chair, and there were
grounds for suspicion that he was really intoxicated.
Others offered toasts of the same nature, and then they all
began talking again, in one voice, of
the soldiers, politics, the
wine, and the voyage.
" Mr. Receiver, give us a song ! " cried the doctor.
All the others echoed this request. The receiver excused
himself, allowed them to beg him a little, then smiled, coughed,
took the guitar, and sang two or three verses. The guests
began to grow noisy again, and interrupted him.
" It 's my turn," said the officer, and all were silent. He took
the guitar, tuned it, rose to his feet, pretended to stagger, and
began.
. . . He was pale as death, and his hands trembled
as if with fever ; notwithstanding which he sang his song with a
sweetness and feeling that was really charming.
Carmela, ai tuoi ginocchi.
Placidamente assiso,
Guardandoti negli occhi
Baciandoti nel viso
Trascorrer6 i miei dl.
Carmela listened more and more intently, knitting her brows
from time to time, like a person absorbed in deep meditation.
" " Bravo ! Good !
Very well, indeed ! said all the guests
in one voice.
And the officer continued
L' ultimo dl, sul seno
II volto scolorito
Ti celero, sereno
Come un fanciul sopitn,
E moriro cosi.