On Turning Her up in Her Nest with the Plough, November, 1785

WEE, sleekit, cowerin’, timorous beastie,
O, what a panic ’s in thy breastie!
Thou needna start awa sae hasty,
          Wi’ bickering brattle!
I wad be laith to rin an’ chase thee,
          Wi’ murdering pattle!

I ’m truly sorry man’s dominion
Has broken nature’s...