italic phrase in lyrics

[David Olson]

Suppose the lyrics contain two contradictory propositions: 

Ma -- the -- ma -- tics is in -- vent -- ed. 
Ma -- the -- ma -- tics is dis -- cov -- ered. 

Is this the only way to put the second proposition in italics? 

\markup { \italic Ma } -- 
\markup { \italic the } -- 
\markup { \italic ma } -- 
\markup { \italic tics } 
\markup { \italic is } 
\markup { \italic dis } -- 
\markup { \italic cov } -- 
\markup { \italic ered. }