[b]By Thomas Hardy[/b] "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."