They did not ask her whether she would do this--they racked her.

But her soul was strong and full of courage; and, under the tortures of the executioner, her lips remained mute.

Let theologians say and determine whether Anne Askew's faith was a false one; but this they will not dare deny: that in the noble enthusiasm of this faith, she was a heroine who at least did not deny her God.
At length, worn out with so much useless exertion, the assistant executioners discontinued their bloody work, to rest from the tortures which they had prepared for Anne Askew.

The lieutenant of the Tower declared the work of the rack ended.

The highest degrees had been applied, and they had proved powerless; cruelty was obliged to acknowledge itself conquered.