"O Death, rock me asleep, bring me to quiet rest, let pass my weary guiltless ghost out of my careful breast"

The quote "O Death, rock me asleep, bring me to quiet rest, let pass my tired righteous ghost out of my careful breast", credited to Anne Boleyn, evokes themes of exhaustion, innocence, and the yearning for peace through death. This elegantly constructed plea uses metaphor and pathos to communicate the speaker's emotional state and desires.

In the very first line, "O Death, rock me asleep", death is personified as a nurturer who can offer the ultimate kind of rest. The metaphor of being "rocked" to sleep suggests a desire for comfort and harmony, contrasting the turmoil the speaker may feel. Sleep here can likewise be viewed as a metaphor for death-- a tranquil, eternal rest free from worldly difficulties.

The phrase "bring me to quiet rest" continues this theme, revealing a longing to get away from the problems of life. "Quiet rest" suggests not just physical repose however likewise a cessation of any psychological, emotional, or spiritual discontent. It highlights the concept that the speaker looks for solace and remedy for anxiety or distress.

The line "let pass my tired guiltless ghost" carries a sense of fatigue and innocence. The speaker explains their "ghost" as "weary", suggesting a soul broken by life's trials and adversities. The word "righteous" is especially poignant, recommending that the speaker feels undeserving of any suffering or chaos they are experiencing. This can be translated as a declaration of innocence or an assertion that their conscience is clear, in spite of any accusations or hardships they deal with.

Finally, "out of my careful breast" speaks with the speaker's intense issue or worry--"careful" representing a state of having lots of care or careworn. The "breast" is frequently symbolic of the heart or the seat of emotion, highlighting the depth of the speaker's distress and their yearning for release.

Taken as a whole, the quote operates as a poignant supplication for deliverance, reflecting styles of weariness, innocence, and the desire for peace. It is a moving expression of the human condition, ageless in its expedition of suffering and salvation.