<html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="center" class="head">On the Italian Front, MCMXVI</h1><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"I <span class="smallcaps">will</span> die cheering, if I needs must die;</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">So shall my last breath write upon my lips</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%"><em>Viva Italia!</em> when my spirit slips</p><p class="line">Down the great darkness from the mountain sky;</p><p class="line">And those who shall behold me where I lie</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">Shall murmur: 'Look, you! how his spirit dips</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">From glory into glory! the eclipse</p><p class="line">Of death is vanquished! Lo, his victor-cry!'</p></div><div class="stanza"><p class="line">"Live, thou, upon my lips, Italia mine,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">The sacred death-cry of my frozen clay!</p><p class="line">Let thy dear light from my dead body shine</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">And to the passer-by thy message say:</p><p class="line">'<em>Ecco!</em> though heaven has made my skies divine,</p><p class="line" style="text-indent:5%">My sons' love sanctifies my soil for aye!'"</p></div><p class="byline">George Edward Woodberry</p></body></html> · Great War