24. Rosa semper virens. The euer greene Rose bush.
This Rose or bush is very like vnto a wilde single Eglantine bush in many respects, hauing many very long greene branches, but more slender and weake, so that many times they bend downe againe, not able to sustaine themselues without some helpe, and armed with hooked thornes as other Roses be; the winged leaues consist of seuen for the most part, whereof those two that are lowest and opposite, are smallest, the next two bigger then they, the third couple bigger then any of the rest belowe, and the end leafe biggest of all: this proportion generally it holdeth in euery winged leafe through the whole plant, which at the first comming forth are somewhat reddish, with the young branch that shooteth out with them, but being full growne, are of a deepe greene colour, and somewhat shining, dented about the edges, and fall not away from the branches as other Roses doe, but abide thereon for the most part all the Winter: the flowers stand foure or fiue together at the tops of the branches, being single Roses, made of fiue leaues a peece, of a pure white colour, much larger then the ordinary Muske Rose, and of a fine sent, comming nearest thereunto, with many yellow chiues or threads in the middle.
The Place.
Some of these Roses had their originall, as is thought in England, as the first and second; for these dryed red Roses that come ouer to vs from beyond the Seas, are not of the kinde of our red Rose, as may well be perceiued by them that will compare our English dryed leaues with those. Some in Germany, Spaine, and Italy. Some againe in Turkie, as the double yellow Rose, which first was procured to be brought into England, by Master Nicholas Lete, a worthy Merchant of London, and a great louer of flowers, from Constantinople, which (as wee heare) was first brought thither from Syria; but perished quickly both with him, and with all other to whom hee imparted it: yet afterwards it was sent to Master Iohn de Franqueuille, a Merchant also of London, and a great louer of all rare plants, as well as flowers, from which is sprung the greatest store, that is now flourishing in this Kingdome.
The Time.
The Cinamon Rose is the earliest for the most part, which flowreth with vs about the middle of May, and sometimes in the beginning. The ordinary Muske Roses both single and double flower latest, as is said. All the other flower much about one time, in the beginning of Iune, or thereabouts, and continue flowring all that moneth, and the next throughout for the most part, and the red vntill August be halfe past.
The Names.
The seuerall names, whereby they are most commonly knowne vnto vs in this Countrey, are expressed in their titles; but they are much differing from what they are called in other Countries neare vnto vs, which to compare, conferre, and agree together, were a worke of more paines then vse: But to proportion them vnto the names set downe by Theophrastus, Pliny, and the rest of the ancient Authors, were a worke, wherein I might be sure not to escape without falling into errour, as I verily beleeue many others haue done, that haue vndertaken to doe it: I will therefore for this worke desire that you will rest contented, with so much as hath already been deliuered, and expect an exact definition and complete satisfaction by such a methodicall course as a generall History will require, to be performed by them that shall publish it.