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 [odd ear, 24 sheaves]
'S a sma' request; [Is]
I'll get a blessin' wi' the lave, [rest]
And never miss't!

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

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 [stubble]
Has cost thee mony a weary nibble!
Now thou's turn'd out, for a' thy trouble,
But house or hald, [Without, holding]
To thole the winter's sleety dribble, [endure]
An' cranreuch cauld! [hoar-frost]

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane, [alone]
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft a-gley, [Go oft askew]
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain [leave]
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!

TO A LOUSE

ON SEEING ONE ON A LADY'S BONNET AT CHURCH

Ha! whare ye gaun, ye crowlin' ferlie! [where are, going, wonder]
Your impudence protects you sairly:
I canna say but ye strunt rarely, [swagger]
Owre gauze and lace;
Tho' faith! I fear ye dine but sparely
On sic a place. [such]

Ye ugly, creepin', blastit wonner, [wonder]
Detested, shunn'd by saunt an' sinner! [saint]
How dare ye set your fit upon her,