II2 
THE WORLD’S TRAGEDY. 
 
Adonis, Attis, Mithras, and the rest ;  
And if there lack some detail — 
 
ISSA 
 
Thou art wise 
Enough to write in all the prophecies  
Fulfilled.  That’s settled, then. 
 
JOHN 
 
I’d love to see 
The goggling eyes of duped posterity,  
Its mouth agape (while priests scoop out its poke)  
At the wild sequel of our harmless joke. 
 
ISSA 
 
Only one further fret balls up my brain :  
— The nuisance, if I have to rise again. 
 
JOHN 
 
Fear not !  The style suffices. 
 
ISSA 
 
Then be off, 
And tell the Seventy my bitter scoff