The Man He Killed

“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.”

– Thomas Hardy

Alliteration:

Had he  and I but met – h

I shot at him as he  at me – h

Or help to half-a-crown – h

Simile: 

But ranged as infantry

Repetition:

And staring face to face

I shot at him as he at   me,

And killed him in his   place

Ellipsis:

I shot at him as he at   me

Rhyme Scheme

abab – met, wet; inn, nipperkin; because, was; foe,   although; perhaps, traps; down, crown;

abcb – Face, place;