S'i' Fosse Foco [Da Un Sonetto Di Cecco Angiolieri]

If I were fire, I would burn the world;
if I were wind, I would storm it;
if I were water, I would drown it;
if I were God, I would send it to hell

if I were pope, then I would be happy,
for I would confound all Christians;
if I were emperor, what would I do?
I would cut off everyone's head round

if I were death, I would go to my father;
if I were life, I would flee from him:
likewise I would do with my mother

if I were Cecco, as I am and was,
I would take the young and graceful women:
and leave the old and ugly to others.