Edmund Spenser - Amoreti: Sonnet 38 lyrics

Arion, when through tempests cruel wracke, He forth was thrown into the greedy seas: through the sweet musick which his harp did make allur'd a Dolphin him from d**h to ease. But my rude musick, which was wont to please some dainty eares, cannot with any sk** the dreadfull tempest of her wrath appease, nor move the Dolphin from her stubborne will. But in her pride she dooth persever still, all carelesse how my life for her decayse: yet with one word she can it save or spill; to spill were pitty, but to save were prayse. Chose rather to be praysd for dooing good, then to be blam'd for spilling guiltlesse blood.