22 LEEK 



thine avowed purpose of ' stripping it of the coarse 

 garments in which it hath hitherto been hidden and 

 attempting to deck it in those in which it may appear 

 more comely.' 



Now as to leeks. In the seventh chapter of Ailred's 

 work occurs the following passage : 



' It came to pass on a day that the holy man entered the 

 refectory [at Whithorn] to dine with the brethren. Seeing 

 no pot-herbs or vegetables on the table, he called the brother 

 who had charge of the garden and asked why they had not 

 been supplied with vegetables on that day. 



1 " Of a truth, father," he replied, " it was but to-day that 

 I dug into the ground what remained of leeks and such like, 

 and at this season of winter the garden contains nothing fit 

 to eat." 



'"Go," said the saint, "and bring to me whatsoever thy 

 hand shall find." 



1 The brother was amazed, and stood trembling, not know- 

 ing what to do. Howbeit, being well assured that Ninian 

 would give no foolish order, he went forth slowly into the 

 garden. Then came to pass a miracle, incredible to all men, 

 save those who know that to true believers all things are 

 possible. He beheld leeks and other herbs not only growing, 

 but producing seed. He was astonished and, as if in a trance, 

 thought he saw a vision. At last, returning to himself and 

 calling to mind the power of the holy man, he gave thanks 

 unto God and, gathering as much as seemed sufficient, placed 

 it on the table before the bishop. The guests looked at each 

 other, and with heart and voice magnified God working in 

 his saints ; and so retired, refreshed in mind even better than 

 in body.' 



The narrative does not explain whether the good 

 bishop was patient enough to wait until the miraculous 

 leeks were cooked before partaking of them. The 



