Thomas Hardy-The Man He Killed
The Man He Killed |
The Man He Killed (From "The Dynasts") "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, 5 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, 10 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— 15 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." 20 |