In dark fens of the Dismal Swamp br The hunted Negro lay; br He saw the fire of the midnight camp, br And heard at times a horse's tramp br And a bloodhound's distant bay. br br Where will-o'-the-wisps and glow-worms shine, br In bulrush and in brake; br Where waving mosses shroud the pine, br And the cedar grows, and the poisonous vine br Is spotted like the snake; br br Where hardly a human foot could pass, br Or a human heart would dare, br On the quaking turf of the green morass br He crouched in the rank and tangled grass, br Like a wild beast in his lair. br br A poor old slave, infirm and lame; br Great scars deformed his face; br On his forehead he bore the brand of shame, br And the rags, that hid his mangled frame, br Were the livery of disgrace.