"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."