Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie,
O, what a panic'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 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!
2006-10-10 14:08:27 · 10 answers · asked by Simmy 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
i didn't take the time to realy read it but here is a website that has a 'english' translation
http://www.rosemike.net/poetry/mousie.html
2006-10-10 14:11:56 · answer #1 · answered by phillyboy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's a poem by Scottish poet Robert Burns. He's writing a poem about a guy tilling his land and nearly kills a field mouse....so the guy apologizes to the field mouse.
It's a great poem by a great poet. The poem is titled "To a Mouse." It's written in typical Scottish dialect.
It's not Shakespearean, it's not in a foreign language, etc. It's Scottish poetry. Take my word for it.
2006-10-10 21:17:10 · answer #2 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Two words..."Cliff's Notes"...sounds Shakespearian...Good Luck! (Hint: Philly Boy has the link of the translation & Ms Chrstnwrtr has a good description! I've learned something about Scotish literature! LOL)
2006-10-10 21:17:28 · answer #3 · answered by Fascade 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like a halloween curse to me.
2006-10-10 21:10:20 · answer #4 · answered by Cortney & Nathan 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The man is telling a mouse that his own life is as difficult as that which the mouse faces, and tells the mouse he is a welcome friend.
2006-10-10 21:19:14 · answer #5 · answered by Rabbit 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow...that is quite the mouthful. I have no idea what they're talking about here!
2006-10-10 21:10:25 · answer #6 · answered by jennabeanski 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Glad it is not my homework assignment!!!
2006-10-10 21:10:23 · answer #7 · answered by Sammyleggs222 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm so sorry but I don't know. hehehe.....
2006-10-10 21:09:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
WHO THE FUUCK CARES!
2006-10-10 21:11:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
have you took your meds to day.........................
2006-10-10 21:13:09 · answer #10 · answered by BLOODHOUND 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋