Help: To a Mouse, on Turning Her Up ... (R Burns)

Subject: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 30 Jun 03 - 07:01 PM

My mother always used the following quote from Robert Burns " The plans of mice and men, Gang after glay.
Suposedly written when he was plowing a field and overturned a field mouse nest with the wee mice scattering in all directions.
1. how do you correctly spell Gang after glay, and exactly what does it translate to.
2. Is there any more to the saying? Statement? Song? and if so where can I find it.
Thanx in advance for the help. Allan

Subject: RE: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 30 Jun 03 - 07:07 PM

To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough

Subject: RE: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: EBarnacle1
Date: 30 Jun 03 - 09:05 PM

The variant I have been using lately is: Man plans; God laughs.

Subject: RE: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: GUEST,Allan S.
Date: 30 Jun 03 - 09:22 PM

Thanks a million only 6 minutes WOW you guys are great...

Subject: RE: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: Amos
Date: 01 Jul 03 - 09:25 PM

The particular line:

But, Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o' mice an 'men
Gang aft agley,
An'lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!



A

Subject: RE: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 01 Jul 03 - 11:18 PM

gang = go
aft = often
agley = amiss, astray, awry

There is an old thread called Glossary of Scottish Words.

Subject: RE: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 02 Jul 03 - 01:25 AM

G'day Jim (and Allan S),

If you scroll down, in the Quick Links slot at the top of the page, you will find that Mudcat also has a Scots Glossary ... they have to help out with these foreign languages ... Er - yes - there is also an Aussie Glossary ... um .. well ...

Regards,

Bob Bolton

Subject: RE: Robert Burns-The wee plans of mice and m
From: masato sakurai
Date: 02 Jul 03 - 02:40 AM

The page Malcolm linked to above has a glossary. See also Critical Analysis: To a Mouse (with reading of the first stanza).