28 FLORA'S LEXICON 



SH. Fraxinus. Class 2, Diandria. Or- 

 der : Monogynia. There is a singular al- 

 legory in the Edda, which states that the 

 gods hold their court under the shade of a 

 miraculous ash, whose extensive branches 

 shadow the whole surface of the earth ; the 

 top of the tree touches the heavens, and 

 its roots descend to the regions of Pluto. An eagle constantly 

 reposes on the tree, to observe every thing, and a squirrel conti- 

 nually ascends and descends to make report. Beneath its roots 

 flow two fountains. In the one wisdom is concealed, and in the 

 other is found the knowledge of things to come. Three virgins 

 are entrusted with the charge of this sacred tree, who ever 

 remain under its branches to refresh the tree with these salutary 

 waters, which, on falling back on the earth, form a dew that pro- 

 duces honey. This effect has been ingeniously compared to the 

 results of inventive science. 



GRANDEUR. 



Nay, I know not 



There are some qualities that women have 



Which are less worthy, but which warm us more 



Than speaking of their virtues. I remember 



The fair Giovanna in her pride at Naples. 



Gods ! what a light enveloped her ! She left 



Little to shine in history — but her beauty 



Was of that order that the universe 



Seem'd govern'd by her motion. Men look'd on her 



As if her next step would arrest the world ; 



And as the sea-bird seems to rule the wave 



He rides so buoyantly, all things around her — 



The glittering army, the spread gonfalon, 



The pomp, the music, the bright sun in heaven — 



Seem'd glorious by her leave. 



Willis. 



