Rosa, rosae, rosam
It is widely known that Lord Perkin Argleton, the twentieth Earl of Glastonbury, always wanted to be a beautiful woman. He had an exquisite taste for women's fashion, a natural elegance in moving among silks, velvets, and damasks, and a queenly bearing. His passion was so great, and his desire to be admired so intense, that he disregarded the advice of his family, friends, and associates and dared to present himself before Queen Elizabeth I dressed as a woman. For the occasion, he wore a bodice, petticoats, and stockings in shocking pink, a rose farthingale, and skirts of a striking fuchsia hue. For his waist, a girdle with pale pink pearls, and his sleeves were decorated with crimson ruffles. He looked like a cherry and sour cream compote cake, with so much rose colour never seen before in the court. Needless to say, the courtiers were astounded, the queen's gaze was terrifying, but Lord Perkin's entrance into the palace, greeting the aristocrats in deep pink taffeta, was triumphant.