mother's treasures

Two little children sit by my side,
     I call them Lily and Daffodil;
  I gaze on them with a mother's pride,
     One is Edna, the other is Will.

  Both have eyes of starry light,
     And laughing lips o'er teeth of pearl.

  I would not change for a diadem
    My noble boy and darling girl.

  To-night my heart o'erflows with joy;
     I hold them as a sacred trust;
  I fain would hide them in my heart,
     Safe from tarnish of moth and rust.

  What should I ask for my dear boy?
     The richest gifts of wealth or fame?
  What for my girl? A loving heart
     And a fair and a spotless name?

  What for my boy? That he should stand
     A pillar of strength to the state?
  What for my girl? That she should be
     The friend of the poor and desolate?

  I do not ask they shall never tread
     With weary feet the paths of pain.
  I ask that in the darkest hour
     They may faithful and true remain.

  I only ask their lives may be
     Pure as gems in the gates of pearl,
  Lives to brighten and bless the world—
     This I ask for my boy and girl.

  I ask to clasp their hands again
     'Mid the holy hosts of heaven,
  Enraptured say: "I am here, oh! God,
     "And the children Thou hast given."