The Man He Killed

By Thomas Hardy
“Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet

Right many a nipperkin!

 

“But ranged as infantry,
 And staring face to face,
I shot at him as he at me,

And killed him in his place.

 

 “I shot him dead because —
Because he was my foe,
Just so: my foe of course he was;

 That’s clear enough; although

 

 “He thought he’d ‘list, perhaps,
Off-hand like — just as I —
Was out of work — had sold his traps —

No other reason why.

 

 “Yes; quaint and curious war is!
 You shoot a fellow down
You’d treat if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown.”