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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


ON THE ITALIAN FRONT, MCMXVI by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY

First Line: I WILL DIE CHEERING, IF I NEEDS MUST DIE
Last Line: "MY SONS' LOVE SANCTIFIES MY SOIL FOR AYE!'"
Subject(s): WORLD WAR I - ITALY;

"I WILL die cheering, if I needs must die;
So shall my last breath write upon my lips
@3Viva Italia!@1 when my spirit slips
Down the great darkness from the mountain sky;
And those who shall behold me where I lie
Shall murmur: 'Look, you! how his spirit dips
From glory into glory! the eclipse
Of death is vanquished! Lo, his victor-cry!'

"Live, thou, upon my lips, Italia mine,
The sacred death-cry of my frozen clay!
Let thy dear light from my dead body shine
And to the passer-by thy message say:
@3'Ecco!@1 though heaven has made my skies divine,
My sons' love sanctifies my soil for aye!'"



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