TO MY CHILDREN
Jaya Surya, ætat 4.
Golden sun of victory, born
In my life's unclouded morn
In my lambent sky of love,
May your growing glory prove
Sacred to your consecration,
To my art and to my nation.
Sun of victory, may you be
Sun of song and liberty.
Padmaja, ætat 3.
Lotus-maiden, you who claim
All the sweetness of your name,
Lakshmi, fortune's queen, defend you,
Lotus-born like you, and send you
Balmy moons of love to bless you,
Gentle joy-winds to caress you.
Lotus-maiden, may you be
Fragrant of all ecstasy.
Ranadheera, ætat 2.
Little lord of battle, hail
In your newly-tempered mail!
Learn to conquer, learn to fight
In the foremost flanks of right,
Like Valmiki's heroes bold,
Rubies girt in epic gold.
Lord of battle, may you be,
Lord of love and chivalry.
Lilamani, ætat 1.
Limpid jewel of delight,
Severed from the tender night
Of your sheltering mother-mine,
Leap and sparkle, dance and shine,
Blithely and securely set
In love's magic coronet.
Living jewel, may you be
Laughter-bound and sorrow-free.