These powers the nature of the Soule declare,
For to man's soule these onely proper bee;
For on the Earth no other wights there are
That haue these heauenly powers, but only we.
The Wit or Understanding.
The Wit, the pupill of the Soule's cleare eye,
And in man's world, the onely shining starre;
Lookes in the mirror of the Fantasie,
Where all the gatherings of the Senses are.
From thence this power the shapes of things abstracts,
And them within her passiue part receiues;
Which are enlightned by that part which acts,
And so the formes of single things perceiues.
But after, by discoursing to and fro,
Anticipating, and comparing things;
She doth all vniversall natures know,
And all effects into their causes brings.[137]
Reason, Vnderstanding.
When she rates things and moues from ground to ground,
The name of Reason she obtaines by this;
But when by Reason she the truth hath found,
And standeth fixt, she Vnderstanding is.
Opinion, Judgement.
When her assent she lightly doth encline
To either part, she is Opinion[138] light:
But when she doth by principles define
A certaine truth, she hath true Judgement's sight.
And as from Senses, Reason's worke doth spring,
So many reasons understanding gaine;
And many understandings, knowledge bring;
And by much knowledge, wisdome we obtaine.