” To a Mouse ” , on turning her up in her Nest with his Plough, November 1785.
A Poem written by Robert Burns, and was included in the Kilmarnock volume and all of the Poet’s later other editions, such as the Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect [ Edinburgh Edition ] According to legend, Burns was ploughing in the fields and accidentally destroyed a mouse’s nest, which it needed to survive the winter. In fact, Burn’s brother Gilbert claimed that the Poet composed the poem while still holding his plough.
The Original Scots { 1st Verse }
Wee, sleekit, cowrin, tim’rous beastie,
O, what a pannic’s in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi’ bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee,
Wi’ murd’ring prattle!
English translation { 1st Verse }
Little, cunning, cowering , timourous beast,
Oh, what a panic is in your breast!
You need not start away so hasty,
With bickering prattle,
I would loath to run and chase you,
With murdering paddle.
{ 7 more verses }
Artwork – Calligraphy – Irene Higgenbotham.
