Sonnet XII: That Learned Father

To the Soul

That learned Father, who so firmly proves
The Soul of man immortal and divine,
And doth the several offices define:
Anima; Gives her that name, as she the Body moves;
Amor; Then is she Love, embracing charity;
Animus; Moving a Will in us, it is the Mind
Mens; Retaining knowledge, still the same in kind;
Memoria; As intellectual, it is Memory;
Ratio; In judging, Reason only is her name;
Sensus; In speedy apprehension, it is Sense;
Conscientia; In right or wrong, they call her Conscience;
Spiritus; The Spirit, when it to Godward doth inflame.
These of the Soul the several functions be,
Which my Heart, lighten'd by thy love, doth see.