BOLEYN, Anne


O Death, rock me asleep

O Death, rock me asleep,
Bring me to quiet rest,
Let pass my weary guiltless ghost
Out of my careful breast.
  Toll on, thou passing bell;
  Ring out my doleful knell;
  Let thy sound my death tell.
  Death doth draw nigh;
  There is no remedy.
 
My pains who can express?
Alas, they are so strong;
My dolour will not suffer strength
My life for to prolong.
  Toll on, thou passing bell;
  Ring out my doleful knell;
  Let thy sound my death tell.
  Death doth draw nigh;
  There is no remedy.
 
Alone in prison strong
I wait my destiny.
Woe worth this cruel hap that I
Should taste this misery!
  Toll on, thou passing bell;
  Ring out my doleful knell;
  Let thy sound my death tell.
  Death doth draw nigh;
  There is no remedy.
 
Farewell, my pleasures past,
Welcome, my present pain!
I feel my torments so increase
That life cannot remain.
  Cease now, thou passing bell;
  Rung is my doleful knell;
  For the sound my death doth tell.
  Death doth draw nigh;
  There is no remedy.