Mistress Mary
Quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells and
Pretty maids all in a row.
That it is a religious allegory of Catholicism, with bells representing the sanctus bells, the cockleshells the badges of the pilgrims to the shrine of Saint James in Spain (Santiago de Compostela) and pretty maids are nuns, but even within this strand of thought there are differences of opinion as to whether it is lament for the reinstatement of Catholicism or for its persecution.[1]
Another theory sees the rhyme as connected to Mary I of Scotland, with "how does your garden grow" referring to her reign over her realm, "silver bells" referring to (Catholic) cathedral bells, "cockle shells" insinuating that her husband was not faithful to her, and "pretty maids all in a row" referring to her ladies-in-waiting - "The four Maries".[1]
My garden has been growing well. Finally. More pictures to follow.
The flowers are blooming. The vegetables are getting taller by the day.
And today, oh joy, the first Morning Glory bloomed.
Moon flowers are sure to follow soon.
But to me, summer is not summer until I smell the fragrance of Stock, evening scented and otherwise, wafting on the evening breeze.
Ah, sweet summer.
1 comment:
Those flowers are incredibly beautiful - nicely done!
Post a Comment