Note 47 — Chapter 37 A Babel of Tongues—The German Umwalzungsmänner—The French Red Montagnards—The Italian Fuorusciti in Geneva—Mazzini, Garibaldi, and Orsini—The Roman and the German Traditions—A Trip on ‘The Prince Radetsky’

Here is a poor prose translation of these wonderful lines, which have passed into a popular legend:—

‘They gathered with weapons in their hands, but they did not war with us; they threw themselves on the earth and kissed it, the tear quivered in their eyes, and all wore a smile. We were told they were robbers who had come out of their dens; but they took nothing, not even a crust of bread, and we heard from them one cry only: “We have come to die for our country!” They were three hundred, they were young and strong! And they are dead!

‘At their head came a young leader with golden hair and blue eyes.... I made so bold I took him by the hand and asked: “Whither goest thou, splendid leader?” He looked at me and said: “My sister, I go to die for my country!” and my heart ached; I had not strength to say: “God be thy help!”

‘They were three hundred, they were young and strong! And they are dead!’

And I knew the bel capitano, and more than once talked with him of the fortunes of his distressful country.—(Author’s Note.)