Isabell, sister of Lady Hartwell, in the comedy of Wit without Money, by Beaumont and Fletcher (1639).
Isabella or Isabelle, a pale brown or buff color, similar to that of a hare. It is so called from the princess Isabella of Austria, daughter of Philip II. The tale is, that while besieging Ostend, the princess took an oath that she would not change her body-linen before the town was taken. The siege, however, lasted three years, and her linen was so stained that it gave name to the color referred to (1601-1604).
The same story is related of Isabella of Castile at the siege of Grena´da (1483).
The horse that Brightsun was mounted on was as black as jet, that of Felix was grey, Cherry’s was as white as milk, and that of the Princess Fairstar an Isabella.—Comtesse D’Aunoy, Fairy Tales (“Princess Fairstar,” 1682).
Isabella, daughter of the king of Galicia, in love with Zerbi´no, but Zerbino could not marry her because she was a pagan. Her lament at the death of Zerbino is one of the best parts of the whole poem (bk. xii.). Isabella retires to a chapel to bury her lover, and is there slain by Rodomont.—Ariosto, Orlanda Furioso (1516).
Isabella, sister of Claudio, insulted by the base passion of An´gelo, deputy of Vienna, in the absence of Duke Vincentio. Isabella is delivered by the duke himself, and the deputy is made to marry Mariana, to whom he was already betrothed.—Shakespeare, Measure for Measure (1603).
Isabella, wife of Hieronimo, in The Spanish Tragedy, by Thomas Kyd (1588).
Isabella, mother of Ludov´ico Sforza, duke of Milan.—Massinger, The Duke of Milan (1622).
Isabella, a nun who marries Biron, eldest son of Count Baldwin, who disinherits him for this marriage. Biron enters the army, and is sent to the siege of Candy, where he falls, and (it is supposed) dies. For seven years Isabella mourns her loss, and is then reduced to the utmost want. In her distress she begs assistance of her father-in-law, but he drives her from the house as a dog. Villeroy (2 syl.) offers her marriage, and she accepts him; but the day after her espousals Biron returns. Carlos, hearing of his brother’s return, employs ruffians to murder him, and then charges Villeroy with the crime; but one of the ruffians impeaches, and Carlos is apprehended. Isabella goes mad, and murders herself in her distraction.—Thomas Southern, The Fatal Marriage (1692).
Isabella, the coadjutor of Zanga in his scheme of revenge against Don Alonzo.—Young, The Revenge (1721).