Page:De Amicis - Heart, translation Hapgood, 1922.djvu/349

321 constantly intent on ennobling myself, in order to render myself worthy of you, to assist with my small powers in causing misery, ignorance, injustice, crime, to disappear one day from your face, so that you may live and grow quietly in the majesty of your right and of your strength. I swear that I will serve you, as it may be granted to me, with my mind, with my arm, with my heart, humbly, ardently; and that, if the day should dawn in which I should be called on to give my blood and my life for you, I will give my blood, and I will die, crying your holy name to heaven, and wafting my last kiss to your blessed banner.”

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Friday, 16th.

During the five days which have passed since the National Festival, the heat has increased by three degrees. We are in full summer now, and begin to feel weary; all have lost their fine rosy color of springtime; necks and legs are growing thin, heads droop and eyes close. Poor Nelli, who suffers much from the heat, has turned the color of wax in the face; he sometimes falls into a heavy sleep, with his head on his copy-book. But Garrone is always watchful, and places an open book in front of him, so that the master can not see him. Crossi rests his red head against the bench in a certain way, so that it looks as though it had been taken from his body and placed there separately. Nobis complains that there are too many of us, and that we spoil the air.

Ah, what an effort it costs now to study! I gaze