While some students may think that the title Of Mice and Men comes from the fact that Lennie likes to pet mice and other soft things, the title is really taken from the poem a Mouse” by Robert “To Burns. Robert Burns (1759-1796) is probably the most famous of all the Scottish poets. After accidentally turning up a mouse’s nest while he was plowing in 1785, he wrote an ode to this mouse, expressing his sympathy for the mouse and his home. For the average English speaker, Burn’s poetry can be quite archaic and complex. On the left is the original poem by Burns. On the right is a translation of the words into modern English. Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie, Small, sleek, cowardly, nervous little beast, O, what in thy breastie! Oh, what a is in your breast! Thou need na start awa sae hasty, You need not run away so hastily, Wi' bickering brattle! With a scurry I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee, I would hate to run and chase you, Wi' murd'ring pattle! With a murdering shovel! I'm sorry Man's dominion I am truly sorry that Man’s power Has broken Nature's social union, Has broken Nature’s union between man and An' justifies that ill opinion, beast Which makes thee startle, And justifies that sad opinion At me, thy poor, earth-born companion, Which makes you startle, An' fellow-mortal! At me, your poor, earth-born friend, And fellow mortal! I doubt na, whyles, but thou may thieve; What then? Poor beastie, thou maun live! I do not doubt that sometimes you may steal; A daimen-icker in a thrave 'S a sma' request: But so what? Poor beast, you must also live! I'll get a blessin wi' the lave, A corn in a field is a small request: An' never miss't! I will be blessed with more,
While some students may think that the title Of Mice and Men comes from the fact that Lennie likes to pet mice and other soft things, the title is really taken from the poem “To a Mouse” by Robert Burns. Robert Burns (1759-1796) is probably the most famous of all the Scottish poets. After accidentally turning up a mouse’s nest while he was plowing in 1785, he wrote an ode to this mouse, expressing his sympathy for the mouse and his home. For the average English speaker, Burn’s poetry can be quite archaic and complex. On the left is the original poem by Burns. On the right is a translation of the words into modern English. Wee, sleeket, cowran, tim'rous beastie, O, what 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 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, An' never miss't! Small, sleek, cowardly, nervous little beast, Oh, what a is in your breast! You need not run away so hastily, With a scurry I would hate to run and chase you, With a murdering shovel! I am truly sorry that Man’s power Has broken Nature’s union between man and beast And justifies that sad opinion Which makes you startle, At me, your poor, earth-born friend, And fellow mortal! I do not doubt that sometimes you may steal; But so what? Poor beast, you must also live! A corn in a field is a small request: I will be blessed with more,
of_mice_and_men_guide.docx