1847. Mameli meets Marchesina Ferretti: the two, taken by the same ideals, develop feelings for each other. Bixio introduces Goffredo to a secret society of revolutionaries.

Inspired by the world around him, Goffredo composed the Hymn, later sung by over thirty thousand people at the Orengina. With his companions he decides to take action and leave for Milan.

The Armistice of Salasco is a bitter defeat, and Goffredo returns home disappointed. Yet another repression by the Genoese government pushes him to embark with Garibaldi towards Rome.