Two houses both alike in dignity,

In fair Hogwarts where we lay our scene,

From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,

Where magic blood makes magic hands unclean.

From forth the common rooms of these two foes,

A pair of star-crossed lover's take their lives;

Whose mis-adventured piteous overthrows,

Doth with their death bury their peer's strife.

The tearful passage of their death-marked love

And the continuance of their friend's rage,

Which, but the students end, naught could remove,

Is now the 24 chapters traffic of our page,

The which if you with patient eyes attend

What hereshall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.