Two little children sit by my side, br I call them Lily and Daffodil; br I gaze on them with a mother's pride, br One is Edna, the other is Will. br br Both have eyes of starry light, br And laughing lips o'er teeth of pearl. br I would not change for a diadem br My noble boy and darling girl. br br To-night my heart o'erflows with joy; br I hold them as a sacred trust; br I fain would hide them in my heart, br Safe from tarnish of moth and rust. br br What should I ask for my dear boy? br The richest gifts of wealth or fame? br What for my girl? A loving heart br And a fair and a spotless name? br br What for my boy? That he should stand br A pillar of strength to the state? br What for my girl? That she should be br The friend of the poor and desolate? br br I do not ask they shall never tread br With weary feet the paths of pain. br I ask that in the darkest hour br They may faithful and true remain. br br I only ask their lives may be br Pure as gems in the gates of pearl, br Lives to brighten and bless the world -- br This I ask for my boy and girl. br br I ask to clasp their hands again br 'Mid the holy hosts of heaven, br Enraptured say: "I am here, oh! God, br "And the children Thou hast given.