Francesco Petrarca (1304–1374)

Translated by Earl of Surrey

SET me whereas the sun doth parch the green,

Or where his beams do not dissolve the ice:

In temperate heat, where he is felt and seen;

In presence prest of people mad or wise;

Set me in high, or yet in low degree;

In longest night, or in the shortest day;

In clearest sky, or where clouds thickest be;

In lusty youth, or when my hairs are grey:

Set me in heaven, in earth, or else in hell,

In hill or dale, or in the foaming flood;

Thrall, or at large, alive whereso I dwell,

Sick or in health, in evil fame or good,

Hers will I be; and only with this thought

Content myself although my chance be nought.