Question

Why does the speaker consider his intention of killing the snake as a paltry vulgar and mean act

Answer 1

Bcoz he has harmed the nature's extraordinary creature who has not even harmed the poet but had came to fulfill his thirst and have some nature's resource.

so without any reason harming snake made the poet act a vulgar and mean act.

Answer 2

Because the poet 's education was saying that he must kill the snake as golden coloured snakes are venomenous in his country, But his inner voice was urging him not to kill the snake as he was attracted by the outer appearance of snake. Though he hit the snake, but his heart was pondering for this petty and mean work. According to the poet, the snake was the uncrowned king of his underworld.