A Red, Red Rose

“To A Mouse” by Robert Burns (1786)

Also written by Burns, “To A Mouse” appeared in his 1786 collection Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect. The poem’s speaker is a farmer who accidentally destroys a mouse’s nest while working their land. The farmer laments the destruction they have caused and tries to assure the mouse that they won’t hurt the little creature. The rest of the poem is a contemplation on the relationship between man and nature, and whether there is really any difference between the two creatures, between the farmer and the little mouse.

“Tam O’Shanter” by Robert Burns (1791)

Rather than dealing with love, nature, or social issues, Burns tells a fantastical tale in “Tam O’Shanter.” The narrative follows a drunken Tam as he leaves the bar one evening. Tam hops on his gray mare named Meg and makes his way home. However, while traveling home, he comes across a group of witches and warlocks engaged in some sort of satanic, ritualized dance. Danger, chaos, and entertainment ensue!

“To A Louse” by Robert Burns (1786)

The speaker addresses the audience after seeing a louse, a small parasitic insect, “On a Lady’s Bonnet, At Church,” as stated in the poem’s subtitle.