Robert Burns - To A Mouse

This poem is one of the most famous of Burns' poems since most think it's meant to be humourous, but it has a lot of ecological and social statement, and is, in actual fact, a tragedy.
Now you can read the origination of the saying, "The best laid schemes of mice and men.......".
I have written some explanations of the Old Scots words at the end of the poem:


To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough

(1785)

Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic's in thy breestie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee,
Wi' murd'ring pattle!

I'm truly sorry man's dominion,
Has broken nature's social union,
An' justifies that ill opinion,
Which makes thee startle
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion,
An' fellow-mortal!

I doubt na, whiles, but thou may thieve;
What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!
A daimen icker in a thrave
'S a sma' request;
I'll get a blessin wi' the lave,
An' never miss't!

Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin!
It's silly wa's the win's are strewin!
An' naething, now, to big a new ane,
O' foggage green!
An' bleak December's winds ensuin,
Baith snell an' keen!

Thou saw the fields laid bare an' waste,
An' weary winter comin fast,
An' cozie here, beneath the blast,
Thou thought to dwell-
Till crash! the cruel coulter past
Out thro' thy cell.

That wee bit heap o' leaves an' stibble,
Has cost thee mony a weary nibble!
Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble,
But house or hald,
To thole the winter's sleety dribble,
An' cranreuch cauld!

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men
Gang aft agley,
An'lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!

Still thou art blest, compar'd wi' me
The present only toucheth thee:
But, Och! I backward cast my e'e.
On prospects drear!
An' forward, tho' I canna see,
I guess an' fear!

Robert Burns

bickering brattle: panic
pattle: paddle: stick
maun: must
daimen icker: an ear of corn
thrave: 24 sheaves of corn
wa's: walls
win's: winds
big: build
snell: biting cold
coulter: plough
thole: endure
cranreuch: hoar frost

Thanks, Barry. I do love Robert Burns.

I cheated, tho; had my trusty dictionary at hand to translate. Some of you have taught me to keep it ready!

This poem is just great! Any more?

lol Barry. As I read the verse I wondered how many of us would be able to translate - not many, me included so thanks for taking the trouble to explain. :-) Burns was truly a great poet and Scotland's pride and joy!!

Good old Robbie! Makes me want to sing a wee bit of "Scotland the Brave". Hey, where are my Scottish tapes? I must get them out and then come back and play some of them while I read these posts.

Thank you, Wintermoor, for posting it here. I salute you and your wonderfully talented countryman. Is there no end to the lilting lines to be enjoyed from Scotland? (I need words for the music, can't always understand them, but I love it all the same. Makes me want to learn that Riverdance.)

Aimee Riverdance hails from Ireland but who am I to quibble, all Celtic - right!! Now, the Highland Fling with skirts aswirling is something to behold!! :-)

I've always enjoyed the poems of Robert Burns. They are written for speaking aloud, not just mulling over in existential isolation as so much modern work is.

When Wintermoor reminded of us of when Burns was born, I pulled out a book and read, and also did a little online research.

Here's a wonderful Robert Burns site:

http://www.rabbie-burns.com/index.cfm

Adam.

Winter, have you recovered from celebrating yet *grin*

I've quoted "the best laid schemes" often over the years, but haven't read the complete poem since school. I wonder if there is an audio of it because half of the wonder is the sound of the words,lilt, intonation of the language.

Agapanthus, you are so right. If we ever get Wintermoor to a roundup, I say we should prevail upon him to read it for us. I have heard his talented rendition of a Burns poem or two, and that rascal has talent.

Margaret, I actually thought the riverdance thing started in the USA! Not being much of a media person, I have only seen it performed by a group who visited Austin several years ago, but it was what I felt like doing when I listened to some of the music on a CD.

So, Barry, what are the chances of getting some of the words printed? Pretty please? I will be your best friend, which used to work for my kids.