1. In a province fair of sunny France, Beside a winding river, Over whose waves in joyous dance, The sunbeams gleam and quiver, Stood a castle tall, a goodly sight, With its broad and rich domain, And therein dwelt a noble knight; I ween he had a lady bright And three sweet babes withouten stain. 2. A generous heart, an open hand, To courtlie companie, And eke as any in the land For beggars of low degree. So gentle his mien in lady's bower, So full of courtesie, Yet valiant was he in tournament, And a good bow in the greenwood bent, I wot right dextrously. 3. He had been blest in his earthly state With such fair prosperity, That his heart beat high with pride elate, Forgot he the giver good and great And christian humility. Whereat to punish his arrogance, Our Lady sent him sore mischance, And dire adversity. 4. Sir Isumbras to the hunt has gone, Riding so gallantly, With hawk and hound in the dewy morn, When a vision bright above him born, Appeared in the clear blue sky. He saw a maiden meek and fair, An angel I wist was she, A messenger sent to bid him prepare For chill calamity. 5. A woful man was the knight that day, He turned him home in sore dismay, When his good steed fell and died, And hawk and hound of life bereft, Sir Isumbras in the forest left, With no living thing beside. When to him there came his little foot page, As fast as he might hie. My noble master, a sad message, It is that I bear to thee. "Thy proud castell lies in ruins low, Thy lady and children escaped the blow, But and with jeopardy." 6. The knight bowed meekly to heaven's decree; A wiser and sadder man was he, And with his lady and children, three, Sir Isumbras boune him o'er the sea-- A penitent pilgrim he would be To holy Palestine. Through seven weary lands they went-- The strength of the babes was wellnigh spent, For charity, cold was their nourishment. They came to a wood, with flowers besprent-- To a rapid river of broad extent, Where never the sunbeams shine. 7. His eldest born, Sir Isumbras bore With tenderest care to the farther shore; But ere he returned again, A lion fierce from the thicket sprang-- The little one tore from that cruel strand, Nor him might they regain. 8. He found his lady weeping, full lorn, For in his absence a leopard strong, With a fell and bloody unicorn, The others from her arms had torn.