Than never to have fought at all.’

The tricolor—a trampled rag 5

Lies, dirt and dust; the lines I track

By sentry boxes yellow-black,

Lead up to no Italian flag.

I see the Croat soldier stand

Upon the grass of your redoubts; 10

The eagle with his black wings flouts

The breadth and beauty of your land.

Yet not in vain, although in vain,