The Man He Killed

    "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 infantry²，

    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 foe³，

    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； quaint⁴ and curious war is！

    You shoot a fellow down

    You'd treat if met where any bar is，

    Or help to half-a-crown."