War Poetry

[CaptO]

Here's a new one. This is by Thomas Hardy:

 

The Man He Killed

 

Had he and I but met

By some old ancient inn,

We should have set 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.

 

1915