For The Wives of Henry VIII

A fair and dazzling picture my eyes behold;
A damsel dressed in cloth of gold.
Right daintily she lifts her feet,
A diamond round her neck so neat
And pearls be-deck her hair;
Golden locks combed with such care
.

A bride fit for a king.
Why she can even sing!
Such attributes hath this maid;
Her charms will never fade.
For she is well-spoken in word and wit.
To be a king's bride, most fit.


But now behold the king's visage is darkened.
He turns away where once he hearkened.
This once lovely maid is tossed aside
And now is taken by a guide
To a place where the scaffolds stand.
Now is brought low which once was grand.
She  loses her head.
This once treasured maid is dead.