While ev’ry frail dancer stood near to the river,
Despairing at each unsuccessful endeavor.
The “Oracle” said, “Could I swim like Leander
Of Hellespont fame, I would take one and land her
On shore, then return for another, and so on,
Until every fair dancer around here was gone;
For having the courage and vigor and vim,
I wish in my heart that I knew how to swim.
But there’s no use to worry, or climb a steep hill
Till a person comes to it—you’ve heard of that—still