When Arne and Eli walked home together in the bright summer evening, they did not talk much about their new-born happiness. They let Nature herself take the lead in the conversation,--so quiet, bright, and grand, she seemed, as she accompanied them. But it was on his way back to Kampen from this their first summer-night's walk, with his face turned toward the rising sun, that he laid the foundations of a poem, which he was then in no frame of mind to construct, but which, later, when it was finished, became for a while his daily song. It ran thus:-- "I hoped to become something great one day; I thought it would be when I got away. Each thought that my bosom entered On far-off journeys was centred. A maiden then into my eyes did look; My rovings soon lost their pleasure. The loftiest aim my heart can brook Is her to proclaim my treasure. "I hoped to become something great one day; I thought it would be when I got away. To meet with the great in learning Intensely my heart was yearning. She taught me, she did, for she spoke a word: 'The best gift of God's bestowing Is not to be called a distinguished lord, But ever a _man_ to be growing.' "I hoped to become something great one day; I thought it would be when I got away. My home seemed so cold, neglected, I felt like a stranger suspected. When her I discovered, then love I did see In every glance that found me; Wherever I turned friends waited for me, And life became new around me." There came afterwards many a summer evening walk, followed by many a song. One of these must be recorded:-- "The cause of this all is beyond my knowing; No storm there has been and no floods have been flowing. A sparkling and glittering brook, it would seem, Has poured itself into the broader stream Which constantly growing seeks the ocean. "There is something we can from our lives not sever; In need it is near and forsakes us never,-- A power that draws, a loving breast, Which sadness, shyness, and all unrest Can gather in peace in a bridal present. "Could I but by spirits through life be attended, As pure as the thought which has now me befriended! The ordering spirit of God it was. He ruleth the world with sacred laws. Toward goodness eternal I am progressing." But perhaps none of them better expressed his fervent gratitude than the following:-- "The power that gave me my little song Has caused that as rain has been my sadness, And that as sunshine has been my gladness, The spring-time wants of my soul along. Whate'er betided It did no harm; My song all guided To love so warm.