literary great sorrow or suffering caused by misfortune, grief, etc
Life protracted is protracted woe — Dr Johnson
(usu in pl) a trouble or affliction
I could observe a melancholy sweetness in the countenance, that seemed to speak of woes endured — Scott
woe betide somebody
somebody will suffer or be punished if they do the specified thing
Woe betide you if you forget!
woe is me!
an exclamation of distress
[from woe2]