"Formerly A Slave"

by Herman Melville

　　

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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.

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