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.