An Italian Alpini soldier slinking away from his erstwhile allies Austria-Hungary and Germany. The Entente Allies welcome him, France with open arms, Great Britain with a sack of money, and Russia. Italy was part of the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary, but declared neutrality on August 3, 1914. With promises of territorial gains, and a loan, it joined the Allies, declaring war on Austria-Hungary on May 23, 1915. The poem notes that although one comrade has fallen away, the other two hold a steadfast bond.
Es hatten drei Gesellen
Ein alt Kollegium
Doch als sich's sollte bewähren,
Da fiel der Eine um
Die anderen halten treulich
Ihr Bündnis stark und fest
Mit Gott zum Kampf und Siege
In Ost und Süd und West.
There were three comrades,
An old society,
But as it proved,
One fell,
But the others hold faithfully
Their alliance strong, steadfast,
With God for battle and victory
In East and South and West.
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