| Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern British Poetry. 1920. |
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| Thomas Hardy. 1840– |
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3. The Man He Killed
(From "The Dynasts") |
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| "HAD he and I but met | |
| By some old ancient inn, | |
| We should have sat us down to wet | |
| Right many a nipperkin! | |
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| "But ranged as infantry, | 5 |
| And staring face to face, | |
| I shot at him as he at me, | |
| And killed him in his place. | |
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| "I shot him dead because— | |
| Because he was my foe, | 10 |
| Just so: my foe of course he was; | |
| That's clear enough; although | |
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| "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. | |
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| "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 |
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