New Kitty Bruno

TO A MOUSE

Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie,
O, what panic's in thy breastie!
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle!
I wad murd'ring pattle!
I'm truly sorry Man's dominion has broken natures social union,
An justifies that ill opinion which may thee startle,
At me, thy poor, earth-born companion an fellow mortal!
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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!

Robert Burns