I suffer, Lydia, from the fear of destiny, Ricardo Reis

"I suffer, Lydia, from the fear of destiny.
Any tiny thing that might
Give rise to a new order in my life
Frightens me, Lydia.
Anything whatsoever that changes
The smooth course of my existence,
Though it change it for something better,
Because it means change,
I hate and don't want. May the gods
Allow my life to be a continuous,
Perfectly flat plain, running
To where it ends.
Though I never taste glory and never
Receive love or due respect from others,
It will suffice that life be only life
And that I live it."