“Had he and I but met
By some old ancient inn,
We should have sat us down to wet
Right many a nipperkin! 1. 1. half a pint of ale
“But ranged as infantry,
And staring face to face,
I shot at him and 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, 2. 2. enlist
Off-hand like — just as I –
Was out of work — had sold his traps– 3. 3. traps for hunting
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.4″ 4. English coin
6. An understatement is an ironic expression in which something of importance is emphasized by being spoken of as if it were not important.
a. What words does the speaker use to describe war at the beginning of the last stanza?
b. What do these words mean?
c. What makes this description of war an understatement?
this is my last question and i really dont understand thanks any help will be appreciated!!