"I sought the court, but smooth-tongued flattery there Deceived each ear: In the thronged city there was selling, buying, Swearing and lying,-- In the country, craft in simpleness arrayed; And then I said, 'Vain is my search, although my pains be great, Where my God is there can be no deceit.' "A scrutiny within myself I then Even thus began: 'O man, what art thou?' What more could I say, Than dust and clay? Frail mortal, fading, a mere puff, a blast That cannot last,-- Enthroned to-day, to-morrow in an urn, Formed from that earth to which I must return. "I asked myself, what this great God might be That fashioned me? I answered, the all-potent, solely immense, Surpassing sense, Unspeakable, inscrutable, eternal, Lord over all; The only terrible, strong, just and true, Who hath no end, and no beginning knew. "He is the well of life, for He doth give To all that live Both breath and being; he is the Creator Both of the water, Earth, air and fire; of all things that subsist, He hath the list; Of all the heavenly host, or what earth claims, He keeps the scroll, and calls them by their names. "And now, my God, by thine illumining grace, Thy glorious face (So far forth as it may discovered be) Methinks I see; And though invisible and infinite To human sight, Thou in thy mercy, justice, truth, appearest, In which to our weak senses thou com'st nearest. "O, make us apt to seek and quick to find Thou God most kind! Give us love, hope, and faith in thee to trust, Thou God most just! Remit all our offences, we entreat, Most Good, most Great! Grant that our willing, though unworthy quest, May through thy grace admit us 'mongst the blest." [Illustration] MESSRS. ROBERTS BROTHERS' PUBLICATIONS. TABLETS. By A. BRONSON ALCOTT. _CONTENTS._ BOOK I.--PRACTICAL.--The Garden. Recreation. Fellowship. Friendship. Culture. Books. Counsels. BOOK II.--SPECULATIVE.--Instrumentalities. Mind. Genesis. Metamorphoses. "This book of practical and speculative essays invites us to the sunshine, the delightful atmosphere, 'the cool retreats,' and the quiet of the country."--_Cincinnati Chronicle._ "Like 'Walden,' it will be bought and read, year by year, by the select few for whom it was written."--_Hartford Courant._ "This book addresses us in a tone of remarkable serenity and repose, strangely contrasting with the lively bustle of the age and land we live in."--_New York Times._