Poems (Harper, 1898)/Mother's Treasures
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 gens 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."