O DEATH, ROCK ME ASLEEP

Anne Boleyn

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.

Farewell, my pleasures past,
 [bad word]  my present pain!
I feel my torments so increase
That life cannot remain.
Cease now, thou passing bell; [bad word] is my doleful knell;
For the sound my death doth tell.
Death doth draw nigh;
There is no remedy