Anne Boleyn's Lament

Defiled is my name full sore,
Through cruel spyte and false report
That I may say for evermore,
Farewell, my joy! adiewe comfort!
For wrongfully ye judge of me,
Unto my fame a mortall wounde;
Say what ye lyst it will not be,
Ye seek for that can not be found.

O death! rocke me on slepe,
Bring me on quiet reste;
Let passe my very guiltiness goste
Our of my careful brest:
Toll on the passinge bell,
Ringe out the doleful knell,
Let the sounde my dethe tell,
For I must dye,
There is no remedy,
For now I dye.

My paynes who can express
Alas! they are so stronge,
My dolor will not suffer strength
My life for to prolonge:
Toll on the passinge bell, &c.

Alone, in prison stronge,
I wayle my destenye;
Wo worth this cruel hap that I
Should taste this miserye.
Toll on the passinge bell, &c.

Farewell my pleasures past,
Welcum my present payne;
I fele my torments so increse,
That lyfe cannot remayne.

Cease now the passinge bell,
Rong is my doleful knell
For the sound my deth doth tell:
Death doth draw nye,
Sound my end dolefully,
For now I dye.