AND FLOWERS OF POETRY. 103 
GRANDEUR. 
ASH. 
I 
The towering ash is fairest in the woods. 
Virgil. 
There is a singular allegory 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 everything, and a squirrel continually 
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 vir¬ 
gins are intrusted with the charge of this sacred tree, who ev¬ 
er remain under its branches to refresh the tree with these sal¬ 
utary waters, which, on falling back on the earth, form a dew 
that produces honey. This effect has been ingeniously com¬ 
pared to the results of inventive science. 
Still, in the vast and the minute we see 
The unambiguous footsteps of the God, 
Who gives its lustre to an insect’s wing, 
And wheels his throne upon the rolling worlds. 
Cowper. 
