Poet's Corner

"The Man He Killed"

Thomas Hardy

Poem explanation

1	"Had he and I but met
	By some old ancient inn,
	We should have sat us down to wet
	Right many a nipperkin!

5	"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 –

10	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 –

15	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,

20	Or help to half-a-crown."

Source: Exploring Poetry, Gale, 1997.