Chapter Isond to Ivanovitch of I by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Isond to Ivanovitch

Isond, called La Beaie Isond, daughter of Anguish king of Ireland. When sir Tristram vanquished sir Marhaus, he went to Ireland to be cured of his wounds. La Beale Isond was his leech, and fell in love with him; but she married sir Mark the dastard king of Cornwall. This marriage was a very unhappy one, for Isond hated Mark as much as she loved sir Tristram, with whom she eloped and lived in Joyous Guard Castle, but was in time restored to her husband, and Tristram married Isond the Fair-handed. In the process of time, Tristram, being severely wounded, sent for La Beale Isond, who alone could cure him, and if the lady consented to come the vessel was to hoist a white flag. The ship hove in sight, and Tristram’s wife, out of jealousy, told him it carried a black flag at the mast-head. On hearing this, sir Tristram fell back on his bed, and died. When La Beale Isond landed, and heard that sir Tristram was dead, she flung herself on the body, and died also. The two were buried in one grave, on which a rose and vine were planted, which grew up and so intermingled their branches that no man could separate them.—Malory: History of Prince Arthur, ii. (1470).

Sir Palimedes the Saracen (i.e. unbaptized) also loved La Beale Isond, but met with no encouragement. Sir Kay Hedius died for love of her.—History of Prince Arthur, ii. 172. (See Isolt.)

Isond, called le Blanch Mains, daughter of Howell king of Britain (i.e. Brittany). Sir Tristram fell in love with her for her name’s sake; but, though he married her, his love for La Beale Isond, wife of his uncle Mark, grew stronger and stronger. When sir Tristram was dying and sent for his uncle’s wife, it was Isond le Blanch Mains who told him the ship was in sight, but carried a black flag at the mast-head; on hearing which sir Tristram bowed his head and died.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, ii. 35, etc. (1470). (See Isolt.)

Israel, in Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel, means England. As David was king of Israel, so Charles II. was king of England. Of his son, the duke of Monmouth, the poet says—

Early in foreign fields he won renown
With kings and states allied to Israel’s crown.
   —Dryden: Absalom and Achitophel, i. (1681).

Israelites , Jewish money-lenders.

… all the Israelites are fit to mob its
Next owner, for their … post-obits.
   —Byron: Don Juan, i. 125 (1819).

Israfîl, the angel who will sound the “resurrection blast.” Then Gabriel and Michael will call together the “dry bones” to judgment. When Israfîl puts the trumpet to his mouth, the souls of the dead will be cast into the trumpet, and when he blows, out will they fly like bees, and fill the whole space between earth and heaven. Then will they enter their respective bodies, Mahomet leading the way.— Sale: Korân (Preliminary discourse, iv.).

(Israfil is the angel of melody in paradise. It is said that his ravishing songs, accompanied by the daughters of paradise and the clanging of bells, will give delight to the faithful.)

Issachar, in Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel, is meant for Thomas Thynne, of Longleate Hall, a friend to the duke of Monmouth. There seems to be a very slight analogy between Thomas Thynne and Issachar son of Jacob. If the tribe (compared to an ass overburdened) is alluded to, the poet could hardly have called the rich commoner “wise Issachar.”

N.B.—Mr. Thynne and count Konings-mark both wished to marry the widow of Henry Cavendish earl of Ogle. Her friends contracted her to the rich commoner, but before the marriage was consummated, he was murdered. Three months afterwards, the widow married the duke of Somerset.

Hospitable treats did most commend
Wise Issachar, his wealthy western friend.
   —Dryden: Absalom and Achitophel, i. (1681).

Issland, the kingdom of Brunhild.—The Nibelungen Lied.