One leg was gone and the other was held by tendons and part of the trouser and the stump twitched and jerked as though it were not connected. He bit his arm and moaned, “Oh Mamma Mia, Mamma Mia,” then, “Dio te salve, Maria. Dio te salve, Maria. Oh Jesus shoot me Christ shoot me Mamma Mia Mamma Mia oh purest lovely Mary shoot me. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Oh Jesus lovely Mary stop it. Oh oh oh oh,” then choking, “Mamma Mamma Mia.” Then he was quiet, biting his arm, the stump of his leg twitching.

“ Porta feriti! ” I shouted holding my hands cupped. “ Porta feriti!