To a Mouse
On Turning Her Up In
Her Nest With the Plough,
November, 1785
By Robert Burns
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, whyles, 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,
And never miss’t!
Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin;
Its 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 and 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 a-gley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief and 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.
Poem Analysis:
Robert Burns’ poem “To a Mouse”, written in 1785, is one of his most beloved and enduring works. Inspired by the incident of turning up a field mouse’s nest while plowing, the poem reflects not only on the plight of the small creature but also on the human condition. Burns combines Scots dialect with universal themes of sympathy, impermanence, and the unpredictability of life. The famous line “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley” has become a timeless expression of life’s unforeseen setbacks.
Form and Structure
The poem consists of eight stanzas of six lines each, following a standard Habbie stanza (aaabab rhyme scheme), a form often used by Burns. This structure lends a rhythmic and musical quality to the poem, making its language both vivid and memorable.
The use of Scots dialect (e.g., “wee, sleekit, cow’rin’, tim’rous beastie”) grounds the poem in the rural life of 18th-century Scotland and brings an intimate tone, as though Burns is speaking directly to the mouse.
Wee, sleekit, cow’rin’, tim’rous beastie,O, what a panic’s in thy breastie!
The poem opens with a direct address to the mouse, described with a mix of tenderness and humor (wee, sleekit, timorous). Burns empathizes with the mouse’s fear, assuring it that he means no harm. This personal tone immediately establishes a bond between human and animal, breaking down the barrier between species.
I’m truly sorry man’s dominion
Has broken nature’s social union...
Burns laments humanity’s role in disturbing the natural order. The plow has destroyed the mouse’s nest, symbolizing how human activities often disrupt the harmony of nature. Burns calls the mouse a “fellow-mortal”, emphasizing the shared vulnerability of all living beings.
I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve;What then? poor beastie, thou maun live!
Here, Burns excuses the mouse’s instinct to steal grain, recognizing that all creatures have the right to survive. The generosity of spirit is evident: losing a “daimen icker” (an occasional ear of corn) is insignificant compared to the mouse’s struggle for life.
Thy wee bit housie, too, in ruin;Its silly wa’s the win’s are strewin’!
Burns describes the destruction of the mouse’s nest, portraying it as a devastating loss. The vivid language — “bleak December’s winds ensuin’, baith snell and keen” — evokes the harshness of winter, a symbol of life’s hardships. The poet acknowledges the mouse’s hard work and preparation, all undone by a single accidental act of the plow.
The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ menGang aft a-gley...
This stanza contains the poem’s most famous lines, where Burns broadens his focus from the mouse’s plight to universal human experience. Just as the mouse’s carefully built home is destroyed, human plans often fail despite our best intentions, leaving behind “nought but grief and pain.”
Still thou art blest, compar’d wi’ me!The present only toucheth thee...
The final stanza contrasts the mouse’s condition with that of humans. While the mouse lives only in the present moment, humans are burdened by memory and anticipation — looking back with regret and forward with fear. This existential reflection elevates the poem from a pastoral vignette to a meditation on time, fate, and consciousness.
Themes
- Sympathy and Equality of Life: Burns views the mouse as a “fellow-mortal,” emphasizing the interconnectedness of all creatures.
- The Fragility of Plans and Ambitions: Both animals and humans suffer from the unpredictability of life, as expressed in the line: “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men / Gang aft a-gley.”
- The Burden of Human Consciousness: Unlike the mouse, humans are weighed down by their awareness of past failures and future uncertainties.
- Nature vs. Humanity: The poem critiques human dominance over nature, which often results in harm to other creatures.
Language and Style
- Dialect: Burns’ use of Scots dialect (wee, sleekit, bickering brattle, housie) adds authenticity and warmth.
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions of winter (“December’s winds ensuin’, baith snell and keen”) create a strong visual and emotional atmosphere.
- Tone: The tone shifts from playful sympathy to philosophical reflection, culminating in a profound universal truth.
Symbolism
- The Mouse’s Nest: Represents fragile plans, vulnerable to forces beyond control.
- Winter: Symbolizes hardship, adversity, and the inevitability of struggle.
- The Plough: A metaphor for human progress and its unintended consequences.
“To a Mouse” is both a pastoral poem and a philosophical meditation, blending rural imagery with universal truths about life’s unpredictability. Burns’ deep compassion for the mouse serves as a gateway to explore the shared vulnerabilities of all living beings. By the final stanza, the poem transcends its humble setting, offering timeless wisdom: no matter how carefully we plan, life’s course is often shaped by chance, leaving us to cope with both grief and fleeting joy.