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The Man He Killed: Text of the Poem

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 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."