V.
Dark looms the record of his earlier years,—
A troubled tale of infamy and tears;
For, of the ill by man primeval wrought,
Shows forth predominant with anguish fraught,
And long disaster to the ensuant race,
The direful course of degradation base,
Where freedom, justice, right,—at one fell blow,—
In woman’s life of slave were outraged and laid low.