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The Man He Killed
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."
The Man He Killed BY THOMAS HARDY If we had met at some old inn, We would have shared drinks together! But instead, as soldiers, facing each other, I shot at him and he shot at me, and I killed him. I shot him because — because he was my enemy, Of course he was my enemy; that's clear enough, even though He might have wanted to join the army, just like I did — He was unemployed — had sold his belongings — no other reason. Yes; war is strange and curious! You shoot someone you would treat If you met him at a bar, or help him with some money.