Welcome to Hogwarts, my lovely little mice
Relax. No need to be tense,
I shall have you all sorted in a thrice
The wise, the middling and the dense.

Some of you are nervous, and some less so
I beg you not to worry,
The Founders did upon me bestow
The wisdom to sort out this flurry.

The bravest of you shall in Gryffindor be
As great Godric was of nothing afraid,
The most cunning shall shelter in Slytherin's lee
He acquiesces, though he wants to be paid.

All the clever and intelligent ones, you'll find your place
In Ravenclaw, where these qualities abound,
And those that care most about loyalty and fairness
Will in Hufflepuff soon be found.

I entreat you to listen, and try to understand
Separation is at times a necessary venture,
But you must be separate while learning hand in hand
Thus you can embark on the ultimate adventure.

I ask you not to twitch while I look in your head
I promise it won't hurt a bit
Though I am just a hat, neither alive nor dead
And my word is worth not a whit.