Lament of Anne Boleyn on the Eve of Her Execution

By Anne Boleyn (c.1500–1536)

Second wife of Henry VIII. She was beheaded on May 19, 1536.

DEFILED is my name full sore,

Through cruel spite and false report,

That I may say, for evermore,

Farewell my joy! adieu comfort!

For wrongfully ye judge of me,

Unto my fame a mortal wound;

Say what ye list, it will not be,

Ye seek for that cannot be found.

O death! rock me on sleep!

Bring me a quiet rest;

Let pass my very guiltless ghost

Out of my careful breast;

Toll on the passing bell,

Ring out the doleful knell,

Let the sound my death tell,

For I must die,

There is no remedy,

For now I die.

My pains who can express?

Alas! they are so strong

My dolour will not suffer strength

My life for to prolong.

Alone in prison strong,

I wail my destiny,

No worth this cruel hap that I

Should taste this misery.

Farewell my pleasures past,

Welcome my present pain;

I feel my torments so increase,

That life cannot remain.

Cease now the passing bell,

Rung is my doleful knell,

For the sound my death doth tell;

Death doth draw nigh.

Sound my end dolefully,

For now I die.