Helpless woman

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 hate,

Become a wretched wife!

The rav'ning hawk pursuing,

The trembling dove thus flies:

To shun impending ruin

A while her pinions tries;

'Till of escape despairing,

No shelter or retreat,

She trusts the ruthless falconer,

And drops beneath his feet.