THE MAN HE KILLED

by: Thomas Hardy (1840-1928)

"AD 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."

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