"O DEATH ROCK ME ASLEEP"

"O DEATH ROCK ME ASLEEP"

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'O death rock me asleep' is a Tudor era poem, traditionally attributed to Anne Boleyn.

It was written shortly before her death in 1536, and is assumed to have been composed whilst she was imprisoned in the Tower of London.

However, the evidence for Anne's authorship is not entirely conclusive.

It has been speculated that the poem could also have been written by Anne's brother, George.

"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."

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O_Death_Rock_Me_Asleep

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https://ko-fi.com/thetudorintruders

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Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn in 'The Tudors'