Angiolieri, Cecco: If I were fire (LXXXVI – S'i' fosse foco, arderéi 'l mondo in English)

S'i' fosse foco, arderéi 'l mondo;

s' i' fosse vento, lo tempesterei;

s'i' fosse acqua, i' l'annegherei;

s'i' fosse Dio, mandereil'en profondo;

s'i' fosse papa, sare' allor giocondo,

ché tutti cristïani imbrigherei;

s'i' fosse 'mperator, sa' che farei?

A tutti mozzarei lo capo a tondo.

S'i fosse morte, andarei da mio padre;

s'i' fosse vita, fuggirei da lui:

similemente farìa da mi' madre.

S'i' fosse Cecco, com'i' sono e fui,

torrei le donne giovani e leggiadre:

e vecchie e laide lasserei altrui.

If I were fire, I would consume the world;

If I were wind, then I would blow it down;

If I were water, I would make it drown;

If I were God, t'would to the depths be hurled.

If I were Pope, I'd have a lot of fun

with how I'd make all Christians work for me;

If I were emperor, then you'd really see -

I'd have the head cut off of everyone.

If I were death, then I'd go to my father;

If I were life, I'd not abide with him;

And so, and so, would I do to my mother.

If I were Cecco - as in fact I am -

I'd chase the young and pretty girls; to others

Would I leave the lame or wrinkled dam.