"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."