The Man He Killed

The Man He Killed

Original Text
Collected Poems of Thomas Hardy (London: Macmillan and Co., 1932): 269. PR 4741 F32 Robarts Library.
1        "Had he and I but met
2        By some old ancient inn,
3We should have sat us down to wet
4        Right many a nipperkin!
5        "But ranged as infantry,
6        And staring face to face,
7I shot at him as he at me,
8        And killed him in his place.
9        "I shot him dead because --
10        Because he was my foe,
11Just so: my foe of course he was;
12        That's clear enough; although
13        "He thought he'd 'list, perhaps,
14        Off-hand like -- just as I --
15Was out of work -- had sold his traps --
16        No other reason why.
17        "Yes; quaint and curious war is!
18        You shoot a fellow down
19You'd treat if met where any bar is,
20        Or help to half-a-crown."

Notes

4] nipperkin: small amount of beer, wine, or liquor. Back to Line
13] 'list: enlist. Back to Line
15] traps: belongings. Back to Line
20] crown: British coin then worth five shillings or 60 pence. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1909
Publication Notes
Time's Laughingstocks and Other Verses (London: Macmillan, 1909): 186. PR 4750 T5 Robarts Library
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1998.
Rhyme
abab