As he turned, Barras asked him as to his intentions.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"To make a noise in the world," cried Napoleon; "au revoir."

That he had implanted in him the essential elements of a great
fighter his school-companions were not long in finding out.

When not more than five years of age he fell in love with a little
schoolmate, and, being jeered at for his openly avowed sentiments, he
threatened to thrash the whole school, adding to the little maiden
that he would thrash her as well unless she returned his love, a line
of argument which completely won her heart, particularly in view of
the fact that he proved his sincerity by fulfilling that part of his
assumed obligations which referred to the subjugation of the rest of
the school. It was upon this occasion that in reference to his
carelessness of dress, his schoolmates composed the rhyme,


"Napoleon di mezza calzetta
Fa l'amore a Giacominetta."


which, liberally translated, means,


"Hi! Look at Nap! His socks down of his shin,
Is making love to little Giacomin."