Had he and I but met <br /> By some old ancient inn, <br />We should have set us down to wet <br /> Right many a nipperkin! <br /> <br /> But ranged as infantry, <br /> And staring face to face, <br />I shot at him as he at me, <br /> And killed him in his place. <br /> <br /> I shot him dead because-- <br /> Because he was my foe, <br />Just so: my foe of course he was; <br /> That's clear enough; although <br /> <br /> He thought he'd 'list, perhaps, <br /> Off-hand like--just as I-- <br />Was out of work--had sold his traps-- <br /> No other reason why. <br /> <br /> Yes; quaint and curious war is! <br /> You shoot a fellow down <br />You'd treat, if met where any bar is, <br /> Or help to half a crown.<br /><br />Thomas Hardy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-man-he-killed/
