
el, of 
ever, 
ound 
od of 
ble 
does 
arto 
rom 
than 
that 
her 
vith 
hey 
ved 

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 ex- 
tensive 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 
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 in- 
geniously compared to the results of inventive 
science. 






