LEEK, Porrum, a Pot-Herb very generally known. The Hebrews complained in the Wilderness, that Manna grew nauseous to them, and longed for the Leeks and Onions, which they were used to eat in great Plenty in Egypt. Travellers1 assure us, that in Greece and Africk raw Onions are very good to eat. The Egyptians are reproached with swearing by the Leeks and Onions of their Gardens: Allium cepesque inter Deos in jurejurando habet Ægyptus, says Pliny2. Juvenal3 ridicules these superstitious People, who did not dare to eat Leeks, Garlick, or Onions, for Fear of injuring their Gods.
Porrum & cepe nefas violare aut frangere morsu;
O sanctas gentes, quibus hæc nascuntur in hortis
Numina!
‘Tis mortal Sin an Onion to devour,
Each Clove of Garlick is a sacred Pow’r.
Religious Nations sure and blest Abodes,
Where ev’ry Orchard is o’errun with Gods!
TATE.
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