Robert Burns

* * *

How cruel are the parents
  Who riches only prize,
And to the wealthy booby
  Poor woman sacrifice.
Meanwhile the hapless daughter
  Has but a choice of strife;
To shun a tyrant father’s hats,
  Become a wretched wife.

The ravening hawk pursuing,
  The trembling dove thus flies,
To shun impelling ruin
  A while her pinions tries;
Till of escape despairing,
  No shelter or retreat,
She trusts the ruthless falconer,
  And drops beneath his feet.