Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/305

 EDWIN R. CAMPBELL. Edwin R. Campbell, a brother of Lewis D. Campbell, well known as a member of Congress, and a leading politician in southern Ohio, is, we believe, a native of But- ler county, Ohio. He learned the printing business in Cincinnati, and in youth was a frequent writer for the newspapers of that city. In 1841 Mr. Campbell was the editor of the Cincinnati Daily Times. In 1848 and 1849 he conducted the Cincinnati Daily Dispatch, and was afterward one of the editors of the Ohio Statesman. He is now in California. His poems were written chiefly for the Hesperian, and for the Knickerbocker, of New York City. "LET THERE BE LIGHT." Darkness was on the mighty deep ; No light was kindled there ; As yet a drear, unbroken sleep, Lay on the sky and air ; Not yet the sun's all-quickening ray Had given to earth the primal day. No morning light had ever shone Upon the new-formed world, Nor had the evening's starry zone Its splendors yet unfurl'd. To light the dark and trackless waste, On which His impress had been placed. " Let there be light ! " — and as the word Came forth o'er earth and sea, A thousand angel harps were heard To sound with melody. And voices mingled with the chord — Behold the light — "Praise ye the Lord!" " Let there be light ! " — the lightning wove Around its dazzling chain. And from the darkness far above Descended on the plain, And wrote upon the face of night. In burning words, " Let there be hght ! " And light was on the ocean wave, And in the dashing spray ; Far in the deep, the glitt'ring cave Received the vivid ray. And many a gem with luster bright. Flashed back the word — "Let there be light." " Let there be light ! " — the rainbow's hue, "VYliere mingle gorgeous dyes, Far in the vaulted arch of blue Is painted on the skies ; Its scroll unfolds to mortal sight — Behold, oh man ! " Let there be light ! " Then praise to Him whose power divine Lit up the glittering skies, Who taught earth's glowing orb to shine With light that never dies. Who from the deep raised earth in air And set His seal of glory there. " Let there be light ! " — while time remains, By power benignest given, O'er earth's benighted hills and plains — The glorious light of heaven. That breaks through Superstition's gloom. And sheds a halo round the tomb. ( 289 ) 19