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,

Offhand 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.