Isenbras or Sir Isumbras
. A hero of mediæval romance, first proud and presumptuous, when he was visited by all sorts of punishments; afterwards penitent and humble, when his afflictions were turned into blessings. It was in this latter stage that he one day carried on his horse two children of a poor woodman across a ford. (See Ysambras.)
“I warne you first at the begynninge
That I will make no vain carpinge [talk]
Of deeds of armys ne of amours,
As dus mynstrellës and jestours,
That makȳs carpinge in many a place
Of Octoriane and Isembrase.”
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Entry taken from
Dictionary of Phrase and Fable,
edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.