Louis Untermeyer, ed. (1885–1977). Modern British Poetry. 1920.
Thomas Hardy1840–1928The Man He Killed
(From “The Dynasts”)“H
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin!
And staring face to face,
I shot at him as he at me,
And killed him in his place.
Because he was my foe,
Just so: my foe of course he was;
That’s clear enough; although
Off-hand like—just as I—
Was out of work—had sold his traps—
No other reason why.
You shoot a fellow down
You’d treat, if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown.”