=Israfel=. Edgar Allan Poe thus spells the name of the angel “whose heart strings are a lute.” “If I could dwell Where Israfel Hath dwelt, and he where I, He might not sing so wildly well A mortal melody, While a bolder note than this might swell From my lyre within the sky.” Edgar Allan Poe, _Poems_ (1845). =Ispahan=. “We parted in the streets of Ispahan, I stopped my camel at the city gate. Why did I stop? I left my heart behind. * * * * * I meet the caravans when they return. ´What news?’ I ask. The drivers shake their heads. We parted in the streets of Ispahan.” Richard Henry Stoddard, _The Book of the East_ (1871) =Is´sachar=, 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.” Mr. Thynne and Count Koningsmark 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 celebrated, 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). =Isumbras= (_Sir_) or Ysumbras. (See ISENBRAS). =Itadach= (_Colman_), surnamed “The Thirsty.” In consequence of his rigid observance of the rule of St. Patrick, he refused to drink one single drop of water; but his thirst in the harvest time was so great that it caused his death. =Item=, a money-broker. He was a thorough villain, who could “bully, cajole, curse, fawn, flatter, and filch.” Mr. Item always advised his clients not to sign away their money, but at the same time stated to them the imperative necessity of so doing. “I would advise you strongly not to put your hand to that paper, though Heaven knows how else you can satisfy these duns and escape imprisonment.”—Holcroft, _The Deserted Daughter_ (altered into _The Steward_). =Itha´can Suitors=. During the absence of Ulyssês, king of Itaca, in the Trojan war, his wife Penelopê was pestered by numerous suitors, who assumed that Ulyssês, from his long absence, must be dead. Penelope put them off by saying she would finish a certain robe which she was making for Laërtês, her father-in-law, before she gave her final answer to any of them; but at night she undid all the work she had woven during the day. At length Ulyssês returned and relieved her of her perplexity.