127 
GRANDEUR. 
ASH. 
-ash far stretching his umbrageous arm. 
COWPER. 
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 every thing, and a squir¬ 
rel 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 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 produces honey. 
This effect has been ingeniously compared to 
the results of inventive science. 
