‘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.