I08 
THE WORLD’S TRAGEDY. 
 
ISSA 
 
Take note of it : 
Matter is muck ! 
 
JOHN 
 
True wisdom and true wit !  
The upshot, Lord ? 
 
ISSA 
 
Than living, I would rather  
Play the fool’s game of my unnatural Father. 
 
JOHN 
 
Thy father, Lord ?  Thy pardon, but we heard — 
 
ISSA 
 
No odds — all genealogy’s absurd. 
 
JOHN 
 
Suppose, Lord, I should simply call Thee “ Word ” ? 
 
ISSA 
 
Happy the thought !  But, in thy secret ear,  
There was a scheme — thou mark’st me ?