Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (1517–47)

Set me wheras the sonne dothe perche the grene,

Or whear his beames may not dissolve the ise;

In temprat heat wheare he is felt and sene;

With prowde people, in presence sad and wyse;

Set me in base, or yet in highe degree,

In the long night, or in the shortyst day,

In clere weather, or whear mysts thikest be,

In loste yowthe, or when my heares be grey;

Set me in earthe, in heaven, or yet in hell,

In hill, in dale, or in the fowming floode;

Thrawle, or at large, alive whersoo I dwell,

Sike, or in healthe, in yll fame or in good:

Yours will I be, and with that onely thought

Comfort my self when that my hape is nowght.

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Set me wheras the sunne doth parche the grene,

Or where his beames do not dissolue the yse:

In temperate heate where he is felt and sene:

In presence prest of people madde or wise.

Set me in hye, or yet in lowe degree:

In longest night, or in the shortest daye:

In clearest skye, or where clowdes thickest be:

In lusty youth, or when my heeres are graye.

Set me in heauen, in earth, or els in hell,

In hyll, or dale, or in the fomyng flood:

Thrall, or at large, aliue where so I dwell:

Sicke, or in health: in euyll fame, or good.

Hers will I be, and onely with this thought

Content my selfe, although my chaunce be nought.