‘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 - has 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.’
Selected by Femi Oyebode.
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