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."