Jane Gray

Purple and gold have veiled your beauty.

Child, no more innocent joy for you.

The throne wants it prey,

and your 17 years are forever faded.

The blackened Tower awaits the sovereign.

Enter its ancient walls, like your ancestors,

and spend in peace your first day as Queen.

Alas, 'tis perhaps your last day of happiness!

Why leave the peaceful shelter

where your life passed so gently

to brave Mary's wrath?

Your weak arm carries a scepter for a day.

Under the band around your young head,

Death hides a bloody hand.

Tremble at the sight of a people who celebrate you.

Queen today, what will you be tomorrow?

You're done for! The tombstone

is closed forever behind you.

Such a beautiful, sweet-eyed, beloved woman.

God rest your soul, as the executioner takes your head.

The cannon growls. A press of people

thrusts your unfortunate husband to the scaffold.

The axe awaits you, oh Queen. Kiss the ground

and join Guilford on his way to Heaven.