O Death Rock Me Asleep

The poem is generally attributed to Anne Boleyn,[1] and is assumed to have been composed whilst she was imprisoned in the Tower of London. However, the evidence for Boleyn's authorship is not entirely conclusive. It has been postulated that the poem was actually written by Boleyn's brother Lord Rochford.[2]

The poem was written in the last days of Anne's life, and is a reflection on her suffering. In it she observes that her end cannot be avoided, and that it will at least give her peace and an escape from her present sufferings.

O death! rock me asleep,

Bring me the quiet rest;

Let pass my weary guiltless ghost

Out of my careful breast:

Toll on the passing bell,

Ring out the 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,

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.[3]