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."

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