- description
- # FORMERLY A SLAVE
## Overview
"FORMERLY A SLAVE" is a chapter containing a poem, extracted from the file `john_marr_and_other_poems.txt`. It is part of the larger collection "[John Marr and Other Poems](arke:01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H)" and the overall "[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)" collection. The poem is dated to 1865, indicated by its context within the collection and the mention of the Spring Exhibition of the National Academy in that year.
## Context
This poem is one of several works by Herman Melville included in the "[John Marr and Other Poems](arke:01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H)" collection. The collection itself is part of the comprehensive "[Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW)". The poem "FORMERLY A SLAVE" appears in the text file `john_marr_and_other_poems.txt`. It is preceded by the poem "THE RELEASED REBEL PRISONER" and followed by "ON THE SLAIN COLLEGIANS".
## Contents
The chapter contains a poem titled "FORMERLY A SLAVE." The poem is described as an idealized portrait by E. Vedder, exhibited at the National Academy in 1865. The verses reflect on the suffering of a race, the dawning of deliverance, and a hopeful reverie for future generations. The poem's imagery evokes a sense of prophetic vision, with the subject's face illuminated by "Sibylline, yet benign" light, suggesting wisdom and a benevolent outlook despite past hardships.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:14.969Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- FORMERLY A SLAVE
- end_line
- 3262
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:47:32.310Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 3238
- text
- “FORMERLY A SLAVE”
_An idealized Portrait, by E. Vedder, in the Spring Exhibition of the
National Academy, 1865_
The sufferance of her race is shown,
And retrospect of life,
Which now too late deliverance dawns upon;
Yet is she not at strife.
Her children’s children they shall know
The good withheld from her;
And so her reverie takes prophetic cheer—
In spirit she sees the stir.
Far down the depth of thousand years,
And marks the revel shine;
Her dusky face is lit with sober light,
Sibylline, yet benign.
- title
- FORMERLY A SLAVE