THE ASH. 



THE ASH (Fraximus excelsior).— Q^-^h^ViYM^. 



The Ash, aspiring upwards, rears its head, 



As if still higher from its native bed 



It sought to grow until it reach the sky ; 



Yet 'tis so tied to earth that it will die 



If but some roots be bared of soil, and cease 



To draw supplies which make the tree increase : 



Thus man to grandeur raised and high estate 



By public favour, will, if that abate, 



Sink down again, and then his name shall ne'er 



Be heard with aught of love, or hate, or fear. — MS. 



We are told in the Edda that the immortal gods hold 

 their court beneath an Ash tree which, 



" Far stretching his umbrageous arms," — Cowper. 



covers with its branches the whole surface of the world. 

 When that veritable Chronicle was written, therefore, we 

 infer from this statement that the author's, and no doubt 

 the popular belief was, that the earth is " as flat as a dish," 

 an opinion not yet quite exploded in the part of the world 

 where we live, even in this the nineteenth century ! The 

 highest point of this marvellous tree is said to touch the 

 heavens, and the ramification of its roots to extend to the 

 depths of the lowest regions. From the roots issue two 

 fountains : in one of these wisdom is hidden, and in the 

 other we are bid to seek for the knowledge of future events. 



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