A Harry Potter Poem

©  Copyright 2001  Richard Brodie


In J.K. Rowling's first book, "The Sorcerer's Stone", Harry enters a secret street in London called Diagon Alley (diagonally), not accessible to Muggles, where wizards purchase their supplies. On this street there is a bank known as Gringotts, with silver doors inside leading to the underground vaults. Upon them is engraved a poem that serves as a warning to would-be robbers.

In the book the poem is untitled, but I have chosen one for it. Note the double meanings in both titles:
equity = value/justice; and square = wide place in a street/even the score. Also note the appropriateness of incorporating, in a place name, that geometric figure most closely associated with the concept of diagonality (a bit of poetic license, as the book does not specifically mention such a place.)

 
Gringotts Equity

Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed,
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.

 Diagon Alley Square

If beneath our bank you yearn
To nab our money, we return
The grievous, arrant, horrid deed
With suff'ring - Ah, that's guaranteed!
Whenever you with us dare tinker
Bitter woe's the statement, stinker!
Fearsome wages to thee post.
Off! theft's not safe: rob here, you're toast!