“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.”

1902.