The Skipping Rope

Sure never yet was Antelope

      Could skip so lightly by.

Stand off, or else my skipping-rope

      Will hit you in the eye.

How lightly whirls the skipping-rope!

      How fairy-like you fly!

Go, get you gone, you muse and mope—

      I hate that silly sigh.

Nay, dearest, teach me how to hope,

      Or tell me how to die.

There, take it, take my skipping-rope,

      And hang yourself thereby.