A Forerunner

" Before his time by a Century?
What an abortion he must be! "
So, natui'ally misconceived,
He lived unwelcomed, died ungrieved.

After long years the world turned round
To read his work who had gone uncrowned;
Their loss they now commemorate,
And doubly mourn their own sad fate!

When present, men forgot to trace
The message for them in his face;

When passed, they turn, and, with their looks
Adore the back side of his Books.