Infidelity fays to Mary:

“Let me fele your poulfes, mistreffe Mary, be you ficke?

By my troth inas a good temper as any woman can be:

Your vaines are as full of blood, lufty and quicke,

In better taking truly I did you never fee.”

Steevens

The English Rose Rosa 'Mary Magdalene' is one of my fave roses that made the trip from the big house in Kerrisdale to our new little home in Kitsilano. In late spring and summer it has the intense scent of myrrh. The rose emerges pink and as it ages it fades to white. I like to think of that as the Mary Magdalene harlot who meets up with Christ. She is saved by Him from being stoned. She later washes His feet and dries them with her long hair. And she becomes pure, free of sin - a saint. True or not I love the idea. 

In late fall there is not enough sunlight to fade its pinkness. I believe that this bloom may be the last of all my roses for this year. I look forward to Mary Magdalene and the rest next year.