Riparto D'Assalto

Drummed their boots on the camion floor,

Hob-nailed boots on the camion floor.

Sergeants stiff,

Corporals sore.

Lieutenant thought of a Mestre whore —

Warm and soft and sleepy whore,

Cozy, warm and lovely whore;

Damned cold, bitter, rotten ride,

Winding road up the Grappa side.

Arditi on benches stiff and cold,

Pride of their country stiff and cold,

Bristly faces, dirty hides —

Infantry marches, Arditi rides.

Grey, cold, bitter, sullen ride —

To splintered pines on the Grappa side

At Asalone, where the truck-load died.