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 bem

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, an only with this thought

Content myself although my chance be nought.

HENRY HOWARD (1518-1547)