{"id":"01KG8AJJPS1T3Z35H3SXQGTJMN","cid":"bafkreigg5igcxysfgkytjaaplhyloy4teipavojeyplrgr2wsneqionho4","type":"chapter","properties":{"description":"# FORMERLY A SLAVE\n\n## Overview\n\"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.\n\n## Context\nThis 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\".\n\n## Contents\nThe 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","label":"FORMERLY A SLAVE","source_file":"01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4","start_line":3238,"text":"“FORMERLY A SLAVE”\r\n\r\n\r\n_An idealized Portrait, by E. Vedder, in the Spring Exhibition of the\r\nNational Academy, 1865_\r\n\r\n\r\nThe sufferance of her race is shown,\r\n    And retrospect of life,\r\nWhich now too late deliverance dawns upon;\r\n    Yet is she not at strife.\r\n\r\nHer children’s children they shall know\r\n    The good withheld from her;\r\nAnd so her reverie takes prophetic cheer—\r\n    In spirit she sees the stir.\r\n\r\nFar down the depth of thousand years,\r\n    And marks the revel shine;\r\nHer dusky face is lit with sober light,\r\n    Sibylline, yet benign.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"FORMERLY A SLAVE"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJ5CWVMSM9AY2938E996H","peer_type":"poetry_collection","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J19Y3FNVN5KWASY78BP4","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJPS18S5DGKGC1BT1Z5T","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJJPMTNN44NS585ZMJ4CK","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:36.153Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:15.175Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}