Note 370 — THE HOG HATH LOST HIS PEARL. ACTUS PRIMI, SCENA PRIMA.
Reading edition
This was one of the cries of London at the time: "Buy my rope of onions—white Sir Thomas's onions." It was also liable to the hypercriticism of the player. What St Thomas had to do with onions does not appear; but the saint here meant was perhaps St Thomas of Trunnions—
"Nay, softe, my maisters, by Saincte Thomas of Trunions, I am not disposed to buy of your onions."
—"Apius and Virginia," 1575, sig. E 2. These lines are spoken by Haphazard, the Vice, and are used as if the expression were proverbial.