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.

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