Nothing much...

[fpb]

...but four years ago I wrote this piece of verse, and I don't think I ever published it on this blog. It was intended to be the Sorting Hat's song for Year Six:

The times move forth and darken,
As oft before I saw;
And yet few people hearken
To word of coming woe.

Alas, there’s some that hope
To gain from coming harm;
And more, who cannot cope
With warning and alarm.

Be wise before it’s late!
I said all that I could
Last year; I did not wait
To speak out for your good.

For Slytherin will suffer
If all ambition cease,
If only for the duffer
And slave and live-at-ease

The power of a new master
Will grant release and space,
No chance for glory or lustre,
But only for disgrace;

Just as the chains will burden
Fair Gryffindor the brave
And set a cruel mind-warden
The Eagles to enslave.

For virtue must be sinking
When tyrants come along;
And courage and wise thinking
Are hated by the strong.

And Hufflepuff the honest
Will suffer worst of all:
Oh decency, thou groanest,
To be good is to fall!

Unite, unite, all four
Wise, valiant, daring, true;
Unite, I say once more
To save each one of you!

And you, the fresh new faces
Still clear of lies and shame,
I will tell you your places
And each is a proud name.

For whether you are eager
For great things and renown,
Rewards not few or meagre
In Slytherin are shown;

Or if you’ve no disdain
For good work and the rough
And never shy from strain
As loyal Hufflepuff;

Or if in every battle
You will be in the fore
And nothing can you rattle
As valiant Gryffindor;

Or if on wings of thinking
To high eternal law
You will soar without blinking,
Undazzled Ravenclaw;

Wherever I now Sort you,
This darkness is your foe,
To crush you and to abort you,
To grip and not let go.

The times move forth and darken
With threat of hate and pain;
And if you do not hearken,
You’re too for whip and chain.