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, [foot]
Sae fine a lady!
Gae somewhere else, and seek your dinner [Go]
On some poor body.
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