[Illustration]

_ZADIG_;

OR, THE

Book of Fate. 

AN

Oriental HISTORY, Translated from the

_French_ ORIGINAL

OF

Mr. _VOLTAIRE_. 

 ----_Quo fata trahunt, retrahuntque sequamur. Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, Tendimus in Latium. _----VIRG. 

_LONDON_:

Printed for IOHN BRINDLEY, Booksellerto His Royal Highness the Prince of_Wales_, in _New Bond-Street_. 

MDCCXLIX. 

THE

DEDICATION

TO THE

SULTANA _SHERAA_, BY

_SADI_. 

The 18th of the Month _Scheval_, in the Year of the _Hegira_, 837. 

Thou Joy of ev'ry Eye! Thou Torment of every Heart! Thou IntellectualLight! I do not kiss the Dust of thy Feet; because thou seldom artseen out of the Seraglio, and when thou art, thou walkest only onthe Carpets of _Iran_, or on Beds of Roses. 

I here present you with a Translation of the Work of an ancient_Sage_, who having the Happiness of living free from all Avocations, thought proper, by Way of Amusement, to write the History of_Zadig_; a Performance, that comprehends in it more Instructionthan, 'tis possible, you may at first be aware of. I beg you wouldindulge me so far as to read it over, and then pass your impartialJudgment upon it: For notwithstanding you are in the Bloom of yourLife; tho' ev'ry Pleasure courts you; tho' you are Nature's Darling, and have internal Qualities in proportion to your Beauty; tho' theWorld resounds your Praises from Morning till Night, and consequentlyyou must have a just Title to a superior Degree of Understandingthan the rest of your Sex; Yet your Wit is no ways flashy; YourTaste is refin'd, and I have had the Honour to hear you talk morelearnedly than the wisest _Dervise_, with his venerable Beard, andpointed Bonnet: You are discreet, and yet not mistrustful; you areeasy, but not weak; you are beneficent with Discretion; you loveyour Friends, and create yourself no Enemies. Your most sprightlyFlights borrow no Graces from Detraction; you never speak amisbecoming Word, nor do an ill-natur'd Action, tho' 'tis always inyour Power. In a Word, your Soul is as spotless as your Person. Youhave, moreover, a little Fund of Philosophy, which gives me justGrounds to hope that you'll relish this Historical Performancebetter than any other Lady of your Quality would do. 

It was originally compos'd in the _Chaldean_ Language, to which bothyou and my self are perfect Strangers. It was translated, however, into _Arabic_, for the Amusement of the celebrated Sultan OULOUG-BEG. It first appear'd in Public, when the _Arabian_ and _Persian_ Talesof One Thousand and One Nights, and One Thousand and One Days, weremost in Vogue: OULOUG chose rather to entertain himself with theAdventures of _Zadig_. The Sultanas indeed were more fond of theformer. How can you, said the judicious OULOUG, be so partial, as toprefer a Set of Tales, that are no ways interesting or instructive, to a Work, that has a Variety of Beauties to recommend it? Oh!replied the Sultanas, the less Sense there is in them, the more theyare in Taste; and the less their Merit, the greater theirCommendation. 

I flatter my self, thou Patroness of Wisdom, that thou wilt not copyafter those thoughtless Sultanas, but give into the Sentiments ofOULOUG. I am in hopes likewise, when you are tir'd with theConversation of such as make those senseless Romances abovemention'dtheir favourite Amusements, you will vouchsafe to listen for oneMinute or two, to the Dictates of solid Sense. Had you been_Thalestris_ in the Days of _Scander_, the Son of _Philip_; had youbeen the Queen of _Sheba_, in the Reign of _Solomon_, those Kingswould have been proud to have taken a Tour to visit you. 

May the Celestial Virtues grant, that your Pleasures may meet withno Interruption; your Charms know no Decay; and may your Felicity beeverlasting!

_SADI. _

THE

Approbation. 

I, Who have subscrib'd my Name hereto, ambitious of being thought aMan of Wit and Learning, have perus'd this MANUSCRIPT, which I find, to my great Mortification, amusing, moral, philosophical, and fit tobe read, even by those who have an utter Aversion to Romances; forwhich Reason, I have depretiated it, as it deserves, and have indirect Terms told the CADI-LESQUIER, that 'tis a most detestablePerformance. 

THE CONTENTS. 

 CHAP. I. _The blind Eye_ CHAP. II. _The Nose_ CHAP. III. _The Dog and the Horse_, &c. CHAP. IV. _The Envious Man_ CHAP. V. _The Force of Generosity_ CHAP. VI. _The Just Judge_ CHAP. VII. _The Force of Jealousy_ CHAP. VIII. _The Thresh'd Wife_ CHAP. IX. _The Captive_ CHAP. X. _The Funeral Pile_ CHAP. XI. _The Evening's Entertainment_ CHAP. XII. _The Rendezvous_ CHAP. XIII. _The Free-booter_ CHAP. XIV. _The Fisherman_ CHAP. XV. _The Basilisk_ CHAP. XVI. _The Tournaments_ CHAP. XVII. _The Hermit_ CHAP. XVIII. _The Riddles, or Ænigmas_

_ZADIG_:

AN

Oriental History. 

CHAP. I. 

_The Blind_ EYE. 

In the Reign of King _Moabdar_, there was a young Man, a Native of_Babylon_, by name _Zadig_; who was not only endowed by Nature withan uncommon Genius, but born of illustrious Parents, who bestowed onhim an Education no ways inferior to his Birth. Tho' rich and young, he knew how to give a Check to his Passions; he was no waysself-conceited; he didn't always act up to the strictest Rules ofReason himself, and knew how to look on the Foibles of others, withan Eye of Indulgence. Every one was surpriz'd to find, thatnotwithstanding he had such a Fund of Wit, he never insulted; nay, never so much as rallied any of his Companions, for that TittleTattle, which was so vague and empty, so noisy and confus'd; forthose rash Reflections, those illiterate Conclusions, and thoseinsipid Jokes; and, in short, for that Flow of unmeaning Words, which was call'd polite Conversation in _Babylon_. He had learnedfrom the first Book of _Zoroaster_, that Self-love is like a Bladderfull blown, which when once prick'd, discharges a kind of pettyTempest. _Zadig_, in particular, never boasted of his Contempt ofthe Fair Sex, or of his Facility to make Conquests amongst them. Hewas of a generous Spirit; insomuch, that he was not afraid ofobliging even an ungrateful Man; strictly adhering to that wiseMaxim of _Zoroaster_. _When you are eating, throw an Offal to theDogs that are under the Table, lest they should be tempted to biteyou. _ He was as wise as he could well be wish'd; since he was fondof no Company, but such as were distinguish'd for Men of Sense. Ashe was well-grounded, in all the Sciences of the antient_Chaldeans_, he was no Stranger to those Principles of NaturalPhilosophy, which were then known: And understood as much ofMetaphysics as any one in all Ages after him; that is to say, heknew little or nothing of the Matter. He was firmly convinc'd, thatthe Year consisted of 365 Days and an half, tho' directly repugnantto the new Philosophy of the Age he liv'd in; and that the Sun wassituated in the Center of the Earth; And when the Chief Magi toldhim, with an imperious Air, that he maintain'd erroneous Principles;and that it was an Indignity offered to the Government under whichhe liv'd, to imagine the Sun should roll round its own Axis, andthat the Year consisted of twelve Months, he knew how to sit stilland quiet, without shewing the least Tokens of Resentment orContempt. 

As _Zadig_ was immensely rich, and had consequently Friends withoutNumber; and as he was a Gentleman of a robust Constitution, andremarkably handsome; as he was endowed with a plentiful Share ofready and inoffensive Wit: And, in a Word, as his Heart wasperfectly sincere and open, he imagin'd himself, in some Measure, qualified to be perfectly happy. For which Purpose he determin'd tomarry a gay young Lady (one _Semira_ by name) whose Beauty, Birthand Fortune, render'd her the most desirable Person in all_Babylon_. He had a sincere Affection for her, grounded on Honour, and _Semira_ conceiv'd as tender a Passion for him. They were justupon the critical Minute of a mutual Conjunction in the Bands ofMatrimony, when, as they were walking Hand in Hand together towardsone of the Gates of _Babylon_, under the Shade of a Row ofPalm-trees, that grew on the Banks of the River _Euphrates_, theywere beset by a Band of Ruffians, arm'd with Sabres, Bows andArrows. They were the Guards, it seems, of young _Orcan_ (Nephew ofa certain Minister of State) whom the Parasites, kept by his Uncle, had buoy'd up with a Permission to do, with Impunity, whatever hethought proper. This young Rival, tho' he had none of those internalQualities to boast of that _Zadig_ had, yet he imagin'd himself aMan of more Power; and for that Reason, was perfectly outrageous tosee the other preferr'd before him. This Fit of Jealousy, the Resultof mere Vanity, prompted him to think that he was deeply in Lovewith the fair _Semira_; and fir'd with that amorous Notion, he wasdetermin'd to take her away from _Zadig_, by Dint of Arms. TheRavishers rush'd rudely upon her, and in the Transport of theirRage, drew the Blood of a Beauty, the Sight of whose Charms wouldhave soften'd the very Tigers of Mount _Imaüs_. The injur'd Ladyrent the very Heavens with her Exclamations. Where's my dearHusband, she cried? They have torn me from the Arms of the only Manwhom I adore. She never reflected on the Danger to which she wasexpos'd; her sole Concern was for her beloved _Zadig_. At the sameTime, he defended her, like a Lover, and a Man of Integrity andCourage. With the Assistance only of two domestic Servants, he putthose Sons of Violence to Flight, and conducted _Semira_, bloody asshe was, and in fainting Fits, to her own House. No sooner was shecome to her self, but she fix'd her lovely Eyes on her DearDeliverer. O _Zadig_, said she, I love thee as affectionately, as ifI were actually thy Bride: I love thee, as the Man, to whom I owe myLife, and what is dearer to me, the Preservation of my Honour. NoHeart sure could be more deeply smitten than that of _Semira_. Neverdid the Lips of the fairest Creature living utter softer Sounds;never did the most enamoured Lady breathe such tender Sentiments ofLove and Gratitude for his signal Service; never, in short, did themost affectionate Bride express such Transports of Joy for thefondest Husband. Her Wounds, however, were but very superficial, andshe was soon recover'd. _Zadig_ receiv'd a Wound that was much moredangerous: An unlucky Arrow had graz'd one of his Eyes, and theOrifice was deep. _Semira_ was incessant in her Prayers to the Godsthat they might restore her _Zadig_. Her Eyes were Night and Dayoverwhelm'd with Tears. She waited with Impatience for the happyMoment, when those of _Zadig_ might dart their Fires upon her; butalas! the wounded Eye grew so inflam'd and swell'd, that she wasterrified to the last Degree. She sent as far as _Memphis_ for_Hermes_, the celebrated Physician there, who instantly attended hisnew Patient with a numerous Retinue. Upon his first Visit, heperemptorily declared that _Zadig_ would lose his Eye; and foretoldnot only the Day, but the very Hour when that woful Disaster wouldbefal him. Had it been, said that Great Man, his right Eye, I couldhave administred an infallible Specific; but as it is, hisMisfortune is beyond the Art of Man to cure. Tho' all _Babylon_pitied the hard Case of _Zadig_, they equally stood astonish'd atthe profound Penetration of _Hermes_. Two Days after the Imposthumebroke, without any Application, and _Zadig_ soon after was perfectlyrecover'd. _Hermes_ thereupon wrote a very long and elaborateTreatise, to prove that his Wound ought not to have been heal'd. _Zadig_, however, never thought it worth his while to peruse hislearned Lucubrations; but, as soon as ever he could get abroad, determin'd to pay the Lady a Visit, who had testified such uncommonConcern for his Welfare, and for whose Sake alone he wish'd for theRestoration of his Sight. _Semira_ he found had been out of Town forthree Days; but was inform'd, by the bye, that his intended Spouse, having conceived an implacable Aversion to a one-ey'd Man, was thatvery Night to be married to _Orcan_. At this unexpected ill News, poor _Zadig_ was perfectly thunder-struck: He laid his Disappointmentso far to Heart, that in a short Time he was become a mere Skeleton, and was sick almost to death for some Months afterwards. At last, however, by Dint of Reflection, he got the better of his Distemper;and the Acuteness of the Pain he underwent, in some Measure, contributed towards his Consolation. 

Since I have met with such an unexpected Repulse, said he, from acapricious Court-Lady, I am determin'd to marry some substantialCitizen's Daughter. He pitch'd accordingly upon _Azora_, a youngGentlewoman extremely well-bred, an excellent Oeconomist, and one, whose Parents were very rich. 

Their Nuptials accordingly were soon after solemniz'd, and for awhole Month successively, no two Turtles were ever more fond of eachother. In Process of Time, however, he perceiv'd she was a littleCoquettish, and too much inclin'd to think, that the handsomestyoung Fellows were always the most virtuous and the greatest Wits. 

CHAP. II. 

_The_ NOSE. 

One Day _Azora_, as she was just return'd home from taking a shortCountry airing, threw herself into a violent Passion, and swell'dwith Invectives. What, in God's Name, my Dear, said _Zadig_, hasthus ruffled your Temper? What can be the Meaning of all these warmExclamations? Alas! said she, you would have been disgusted as muchas I am, had you been an Eye-witness of that Scene of FemaleFalshood, as I was Yesterday. I went, you must know, to visit thedisconsolate Widow _Cosrou_, who has been these two Days erecting aMonument to the Memory of her young deceased Husband, near the Brookthat runs on one side of her Meadow. She made the most solemn Vow, in the Height of her Affliction, never to stir from that Tomb, aslong as ever that Rivulet took its usual Course. --Well! and wherein, pray, said _Zadig_, is the good Woman so much to blame? Is it not anincontestable Mark of her superior Merit and Conjugal-Affection?But, _Zadig_, said _Azora_, was you to know how her Thoughts wereemploy'd when I made my Visit, you'd never forget or forgive her. Pray, my dearest _Azora_, what then was she about? Why, theCreature, said _Azora_, was studying, to be sure, to find out Waysand Means to turn the Current of the River. 

_Azora_, in short, harangu'd so long, and, was so big with herInvectives against the young Widow, that her too affected, vain Shewof Virtue, gave _Zadig_ a secret Disgust. 

_Zadig_ had an intimate Friend, one _Cador_ by Name, whose Spousewas perfectly honest, and had in reality a greater Regard for him, than all Mankind besides: This Friend _Zadig_ made his Confident, and bound him to keep a Project of his entirely a Secret, by aPromise of some valuable Token of his Respect. _Azora_ had beenvisiting a Female Companion for two Days together in the Country, and on the third was returning home: No sooner, however, was she inSight of the House, but the Servants ran to meet her with Tears intheir Eyes, and told her, that their Master dy'd suddenly the Nightbefore; that they durstn't carry her the doleful Tidings, but weregoing to bury _Zadig_ in the Sepulchre of his Ancestors, at theBottom of the Garden. She burst into a Flood of Tears; tore herHair; and vow'd to die by his Side. As soon as it was dark, young_Cador_ came, and begg'd the Favour of being introduc'd to theWidow. He was so, and they wept together very cordially. Next Daythe Storm was somewhat abated, and they din'd together; _Cador_inform'd her, that his Friend had left him the much greater Part ofhis Effects, and gave her to understand, that he should thinkhimself the happiest Creature in the World, if she would condescendto be his Partner in that Demise. The Widow wept, sobb'd, and beganto melt. More Time was spent in Supper than at Dinner. Theydiscoursed together with a little more Freedom. _Azora_ was lavishof her Encomiums on _Zadig_; but then, 'twas true, she said, he hadsome secret Infirmities to which _Cador_ was a Stranger. In theMidst of their Midnight Entertainment, _Cador_ all on a suddencomplain'd that he was taken with a most violent pleuretic Fit, andwas ready to swoon away. Our Lady being extremely concern'd, andover-officious, flew to her Closet of Cordials, and brought downevery Thing she could think of that might be of Service on thisemergent Occasion. She was extremely sorry that the famous _Hermes_was gone from _Babylon_, and condescended to lay her warm Hand uponthe Part affected, in which he felt such an agonizing Pain. PraySir, said she, in a soft, languishing Tone, are you subject to thistormenting Malady? Sometimes, Madam, said _Cador_, so strong, thatthey bring me almost to Death's Door; and there is but one Thing caninfallibly cure me; and that is, the Application of a dead Man'sNose to the part affected. An odd Remedy truly, said _Azora_. Notstranger, Madam, said he, than the Great *_Arnon's_ infallibleApoplectic Necklaces. 

 * There was at this Time in _Babylon_, a famous Doctor, nam'd _Arnon_, who both cur'd Apoplectic Fits, and prevented them from affecting his Patients, as was frequently advertiz'd in the Gazettes, by a little never-failing Purse that he hung round their Necks. 

This Assurance of Success, together with _Cador's_ personal Merit, determin'd _Azora_ in his Favour. After all, said she, when myHusband shall be about to cross the Bridge _Tchimavar_, from thisWorld of Yesterday, to the other, of To-morrow, will the Angel_Asrael_, think you, make any Scruple about his Passage, should hisNose prove something shorter in the next Life than 'twas in this?She would venture, however, and taking up a sharp Razor, repair'd toher Husband's Tomb; water'd it first with her Tears, and thenintended to perform the innocent Operation, as he lay extendedbreathless, as she thought, in his Coffin. _Zadig_ mounted in aMoment; secur'd his Nose with one Hand, and the Incision-Knife withthe other. Madam, said he, never more exclaim against the Widow_Cosrou_. The Scheme for cutting my Nose off was much closer laidthan hers of throwing the River into a new Channel. 

CHAP. III. 

_The_ DOG _and the_ HORSE. 

_Zadig_ found, by Experience, that the first thirty Days ofMatrimony (as 'tis written in the Book of _Zend_) is Honey-Moon; butthe second is all Wormwood. He was oblig'd, in short, as _Azora_grew such a Termagant, to sue out a Bill of Divorce, and to seek hisConsolation for the future, in the Study of Nature. Who is happier, said he, than the Philosopher, who peruses with Understanding thatspacious Book, which the supreme Being has laid open before hisEyes? The Truths he discovers there, are of infinite Service to him. He thereby cultivates and improves his Mind. He lives in Peace andTranquility all his Days; he is afraid of Nobody, and he has notender, indulgent Wife to shorten his Nose for him. 

Wrapped up in these Contemplations, he retir'd to a little CountryHouse on the Banks of the _Euphrates_; there he never spent his Timein calculating how many Inches of Water run thro' the Arch of aBridge in a second of Time, or in enquiring if a Cube Line of Rainfalls more in the _Mouse-Month_, than in that of the _Ram_. Heform'd no Projects for making Silk Gloves and Stockings out ofSpiders Webbs, nor of China-Ware out of broken Glass-Bottles; but hepry'd into the Nature and Properties of Animals and Plants, andsoon, by his strict and repeated Enquiries, he was capable ofdiscerning a Thousand Variations in visible Objects, that others, less curious, imagin'd were all alike. 

One Day, as he was taking a solitary Walk by the Side of a Thicket, he espy'd one of the Queen's Eunuchs, with several of hisAttendants, coming towards him, hunting about, in deep Concern, bothhere and there, like Persons almost in Despair, and seeking, withImpatience, for something lost of the utmost Importance. Young Man, said the Queen's chief Eunuch, have not you seen, pray, herMajesty's Dog? _Zadig_ very cooly replied, you mean her Bitch, Ipresume. You say very right Sir, said the Eunuch, 'tis aSpaniel-Bitch indeed. --And very small said _Zadig_: She has hadPuppies too lately; she's a little lame with her left Fore-foot, andhas long Ears. By your exact Description, Sir, you must doubtlesshave seen her, said the Eunuch, almost out of Breath. But I have notSir, notwithstanding, neither did I know, but by you, that the Queenever had such a favourite Bitch. 

Just at this critical Juncture, so various are the Turns ofFortune's Wheel! the best Palfrey in all the King's Stable had brokeloose from the Groom, and got upon the Plains of _Babylon_. The HeadHuntsman with all his inferior Officers, were in Pursuit after him, with as much Concern, as the Eunuch about the Bitch. The HeadHuntsman address'd himself to _Zadig_, and ask'd him, whether hehadn't seen the King's Palfrey run by him. No Horse, said _Zadig_, ever gallop'd smoother; he is about five Foot high, his Hoofs arevery small; his Tail is about three Foot six Inches long; the studsof his Bit are of pure Gold, about 23 Carats; and his Shoes are ofSilver, about Eleven penny Weight a-piece. What Course did he take, pray, Sir? Whereabouts is he, said the Huntsman? I never sat Eyes onhim, reply'd _Zadig_, not I, neither did I ever hear before now, that his Majesty had such a Palfrey. 

The Head Huntsman, as well as the Head Eunuch, upon his answeringtheir Interrogatories so very exactly, not doubting in the least, but that _Zadig_ had clandestinely convey'd both the Bitch and theHorse away, secur'd him, and carried him before the grand Desterham, who condemn'd him to the _Knout_, and to be confin'd for Life insome remote and lonely Part of _Siberia_. No sooner had the Sentencebeen pronounc'd, but the Horse and Bitch were both found. The Judgeswere in some Perplexity in this odd Affair, and yet thought itabsolutely necessary, as the Man was innocent, to recal theirDecree. However, they laid a Fine upon him of Four Hundred Ounces ofGold, for his false Declaration of his not having seen, whatdoubtless he did: And the Fine was order'd to be deposited in Courtaccordingly: On the Payment whereof, he was permitted to bring hisCause on to a Hearing before the grand Desterham. 

On the Day appointed for that Purpose he open'd the Cause himself, in Terms to this or the like Effect. 

Ye bright Stars of Justice, ye profound Abyss of universalKnowledge, ye Mirrors of Equity, who have in you the Solidity ofLead, the Hardness of Steel, the Lustre of a Diamond, and theResemblance of the purest Gold! Since ye have condescended so far, as to admit of my Address to this August Assembly, I here, in themost solemn Manner, swear to you by _Orosmades_, that I never sawthe Queen's illustrious Bitch, nor the sacred Palfrey of the King ofKings. I'll be ingenuous, however, and declare the Truth, andnothing but the Truth. As I was walking by the Thicket's Side, whereI met with her Majesty's most venerable chief Eunuch, and the King'smost illustrious chief Huntsman, I perceiv'd upon the Sand theFootsteps of an Animal, and I easily inferr'd that it must be alittle one. The several small, tho' long Ridges of Land between theFootsteps of the Creature, gave me just Grounds to imagine it was aBitch whose Teats hung down; and for that Reason, I concluded shehad but lately pupp'd. As I observ'd likewise some other Traces, insome Degree different, which seem'd to have graz'd all the Way uponthe Surface of the Sand, on the Side of the fore-Feet, I knew wellenough she must have had long Ears. And forasmuch as I discern'd;with some Degree of Curiosity, that the Sand was every where lesshollow'd by one Foot in particular, than by the other three, Iconceiv'd that the Bitch of our most august Queen was somewhatlamish, if I may presume to say so. 

As to the Palfrey of the King of Kings, give me leave to inform you, that as I was walking down the Lane by the Thicket-side, I tookparticular Notice of the Prints made upon the Sand by a Horse'sShoes; and found that their Distances were in exact Proportion; fromthat Observation, I concluded the Palfrey gallop'd well. In the nextPlace, the Dust of some Trees in a narrow Lane, which was but sevenFoot broad, was here and there swept off, both on the Right and onthe Left, about three Feet and six Inches from the Middle of theRoad. For which Reason I pronounc'd the Tail of the Palfrey to bethree Foot and a half long, with which he had whisk'd off the Duston both Sides as he ran along. Again, I perceiv'd under the Trees, which form'd a Kind of Bower of five Feet high, some Leaves that hadbeen lately fallen on the Ground, and I was sensible the Horse musthave shook them off; from whence I conjectur'd he was five Foothigh. As to the Bits of his Bridle, I knew they must be of Gold, andof the Value I mention'd; for he had rubb'd the Studs upon a certainStone, which I knew to be a Touch-stone, by an Experiment that I hadmade of it. To conclude, by the Prints which his Shoes had left ofsome Flint-Stones of another Nature, I concluded his Shoes wereSilver, and of eleven penny Weight Fineness, as I before mention'd. 

The whole Bench of Judges stood astonish'd at the Profundity of_Zadig's_ nice Discernment. The News was soon carried to the Kingand the Queen. _Zadig_ was not only the whole Subject of the Court'sConversation; but his Name was mention'd with the utmost Venerationin the King's Chambers, and his Privy-Council. And notwithstandingseveral of their Magi declar'd he ought to be burnt for a Sorcerer;yet the King thought proper, that the Fine he had deposited inCourt, should be peremptorily restor'd. The Clerk of the Court, theTipstaffs, and other petty Officers, waited on him in their properHabit, in order to refund the four Hundred Ounces of Gold, pursuantto the King's express Order; modestly reserving only three Hundredand ninety Ounces, part thereof, to defray the Fees of the Court. And the Domesticks swarm'd about him likewise, in Hopes of somesmall Consideration. 

_Zadig_, upon winding up of the Bottom, was fully convinc'd, that itwas very dangerous to be over-wise; and was determin'd to set aWatch before the Door of his Lips for the future. 

An Opportunity soon offer'd for the Trial of his Resolution. APrisoner of State had just made his Escape, and pass'd under theWindow of _Zadig's_ House. _Zadig_ was examin'd thereupon, but wasabsolutely dumb. However, as it was plainly prov'd upon him, that hedid look out of the Window at the same Time, he was sentenc'd to payfive Hundred Ounces of Gold for that Misdemeanor; and moreover, wasoblig'd to thank the Court for their Indulgence; a Compliment whichthe Magistrates of _Babylon_ expect to be paid them. Good God! saidhe, to himself, have I not substantial Reason to complain, that myimpropitious Stars should direct me to walk by a Wood's-Side, wherethe Queen's Bitch and the King's Palfrey should happen to pass by?How dangerous is it to pop one's Head out of one's Window? And, in aWord, how difficult is it for a Man to be happy on this Side theGrave?

CHAP. IV. 

_The_ ENVIOUS MAN. 

As _Zadig_ had met with such a Series of Misfortunes, he wasdetermin'd to ease the Weight of them by the Study of Philosophy, and the Conversation of select Friends. He was still possess'd of alittle pretty Box in the Out-parts of _Babylon_, which was furnish'din a good Taste; where every Artist was welcome, and wherein heenjoy'd all the rational Pleasures that a virtuous Man could wellwish for. In the Morning, his Library was always open for the Use ofthe Learned; at Night his Table was fill'd with the most agreeableCompanions; but he was soon sensible, by Experience, how dangerousit was to keep learned Men Company. A warm Dispute arose about acertain Law of _Zoroaster_; which prohibited the Eating of Griffins:But to what Purpose said some of the Company, was that Prohibition, since there is no such Animal in Nature? Some again insisted thatthere must; for otherwise _Zoroaster_ could never have been so weakas to give his Pupils such a Caution. _Zadig_, in order tocompromize the Matter, said; Gentlemen, If there are such Creaturesin Being, let us never touch them; and if there are not, we are wellassur'd we can't touch them; so in either Case we shall comply withthe Commandment. 

A learned Man at the upper End of the Table, who had compos'dthirteen Volumes, expatiating on every Property of the Griffin, tookthis Affair in a very serious Light, which would greatly haveembarrass'd _Zadig_, but for the Credit of a Magus, who was Brotherto his Friend _Cador_. From that Day forward, _Zadig_ everdistinguish'd and preferr'd good, before learned Company: Heassociated with the most conversible Men, and the most amiableLadies in all _Babylon_; he made elegant Entertainments, which werefrequently preceded by a Concert of Musick, and enliven'd by themost facetious Conversation, in which, as he had felt the Smart ofit, he had laid aside all Thoughts of shewing his Wit, which is notonly the surest Proof that a Man has none, but the most infallibleMeans to spoil all good Company. 

Neither the Choice of his Friends, nor that of his Dishes, was theResult of Pride or Ostentation. He took Delight in appearing to be, what he actually was, and not in seeming to be what he was not; andby that Means, got a greater real Character than he actually aim'dat. 

Directly opposite to his House liv'd _Arimazes_, one puff'd up withPride, who not meeting with Success in the World, sought his Revengein railing against all Mankind. Rich as he was, it was almost morethan he could accomplish, to procure ev'n any Parasites about him. Tho' the rattling of the Chariots which stopp'd at _Zadig's_ Doorwas a perfect Nuisance to him; yet the good Character which everyBody gave him was still a higher Provocation. He would sometimesintrude himself upon _Zadig_, and set down at his Table without anyInvitation; when there, he would most certainly interrupt the Mirthof the Company, as Harpies, they say, infect the very Carrion thatthey eat. 

_Arimazes_ took it in his Head one Day to invite a young Lady to anEntertainment; but she, instead of accepting of his Offer, spent theEvening at _Zadig's_. Another Time, as _Zadig_ and he were chattingtogether at Court, a Minister of State came up to them, and invited_Zadig_ to Supper, but took no Notice of _Arimazes_. The mostimplacable Aversions have frequently no better Foundations. ThisGentleman, who was call'd the _envious Man_, would have taken awaythe Life of _Zadig_ if he could because most People distinguish'dhim by the Title of the _Happy Man_. "An Opportunity of doingMischief, says _Zoroaster_, offers itself a hundred Times a Day; butthat of doing a Friend a good Office but once a Year. "

_Arimazes_ went one Day to _Zadig's_ House, when he was walking inhis Garden with two Friends, and a young Lady, to whom he saidAbundance of fine Things, with no other Design but the innocentPleasure of saying them. Their Conversation turn'd on a War that theKing had happily put an End to, between him and his Vassal, thePrince of _Hyrcania_. _Zadig_ having signaliz'd himself in thatshort War, commended his Majesty very highly, but was more lavish ofhis Compliments on the Lady. He took out his Pocket Book, and wrotefour extempore Verses on that Occasion, and gave them the Lady toread. The Gentlemen then present begg'd to be oblig'd with a Sightof them, as well as the Lady, But either thro' Modesty, or rather aself-Consciousness that he hadn't happily succeeded, he gave them aflat Denial. He was sensible, that a sudden poetic Flight must proveinsipid to every one but the Person in whose Favour it is written, whereupon he snapt the Table in two whereon the Lines were wrote, and threw both Pieces into a Rose-bush, where they were hunted for, but to no Purpose. Soon after it happened to rain, and all theCompany flew into the House, but _Arimazes_. Notwithstanding theShower, he continued in the Garden, and never quitted it, till hehad found one Moiety of the Tablet, which was unfortunately broke insuch a Manner, that even the half Lines were good sense, and goodMetre, tho' very short. But what was still more remarkablyunfortunate, they appear'd at first View, to be a severe satyr uponthe King: The Words were these:

 _To flagrant Crimes His Crown he owes; To peaceful Times The worst of Foes. _

This was the first Moment that ever _Arimazes_ was happy. He had itnow in his Power to ruin the most virtuous and innocent of Men. Bigwith his execrable Joy, he flew to his Majesty with this virulentSatyr of _Zadig's_ under his own Hand. Not only _Zadig_, but his twoFriends and the Lady were immediately close confin'd. His Cause wassoon over; for the Judges turn'd a deaf Ear to what he had to say. When Sentence of Condemnation was pass'd upon him, _Arimazes_, stillspiteful, was heard to say, as he went out of Court, with an Air ofContempt, that _Zadig's_ Lines were Treason indeed, but nothingmore. Tho' _Zadig_ didn't value himself on Account of his Genius forPoetry; yet he was almost distracted to find himself condemn'd forthe worst of Traitors, and his two Friends and the Lady lock'd up ina Dungeon for a Crime, of which he was no ways guilty. He wasn'tpermitted to speak one Word for himself. His Pocket-Book wassufficient Evidence against him. So strict were the Laws of_Babylon_! He was carried to the Place of Execution, through a Croudof Spectators, who durstn't condole with him, and who flock'd abouthim, to observe whether his Countenance chang'd, or whether he diedwith a good Grace. His Relations were the only real Mourners; forthere was no Estate in Reversion for them; three Parts of hisEffects were confiscated for the King's Use, and the fourth wasdevoted, as a Reward, to the use of the Informer. 

Just at the Time that he was preparing himself for Death, the King'sParrot flew from her Balcony, into _Zadig's_ Garden, and alighted ona Rose-bush. A Peach, that had been blown down, and drove by theWind from an adjacent Tree, just under the Bush, was glew'd, as itwere, to the other Moiety of the Tablet. Away flew the Parrot withher Booty, and return'd to the King's Lap. The Monarch, beingsomewhat curious, read the Words on the broken Tablet, which had noMeaning in them as he could perceive, but seem'd to be the brokenParts of a Tetrastick. He was a great Admirer of Poetry; and the oddAdventure of his Parrot, put him upon Reflection. The Queen whorecollected full well the Lines that were wrote on the Fragment of_Zadig's_ Tablet, order'd that Part of it to be produc'd: Both thebroken Pieces being put together, they answered exactly theIndentures; and then the Verses which _Zadig_ had written, in aFlight of Loyalty, ran thus, _Tyrants are prone to flagrant Crimes; To Clemency his Crown he owes; To Concord and to peaceful Times, Love only is the worst of Foes. _

Upon this the King order'd _Zadig_ to be instantly brought beforehim; and his two Friends and the Lady to be that Moment discharg'd. _Zadig_, as he stood before the King and Queen, fix'd his Eyes uponthe Ground, and begg'd their Majesty's Pardon for his littleworthless, poetical Attempt. He spoke, however, with such a becomingGrace, and with so much Modesty and good Sense, that the King andthe Queen, ordered him to be brought before them once again. He wasbrought accordingly, and he pleas'd them still more and more. Inshort, they gave him all the immense Estate of _Arimazes_, who hadso unjustly accus'd him; but _Zadig_ generously return'd the wickedInformer the Whole to a Farthing. The envious Man, however, was noways affected, but with the Restoration of his Effects. _Zadig_every Day grew more and more in Favour at Court. He was made a Partyin all the King's Pleasures, and nothing was done in thePrivy-Council without him. The Queen, from that very Hour, shew'dhim so much Respect, and spoke to him in such soft and endearingTerms, that in Process of Time, it prov'd of fatal Consequence toherself, her Royal Consort, to _Zadig_, and the whole Kingdom. _Zadig_ now began to think it was not so difficult a Thing to behappy as at first he imagin'd. 

CHAP. V. 

_The_ Force _of_ Generosity. 

The Time now drew near for the Celebration of a grand Festival, which was kept but once in five Years. 'Twas a constant Custom in_Babylon_ at the Expiration of the Term above-mention'd, todistinguish that Citizen from all the Rest, in the most solemnManner, who had done the most generous Action; and the Grandees andMagi always sat as Judges. The _Satrap_ inform'd them of everypraise-worthy Deed that occurr'd within his District. All were putto the Vote, and the King himself pronounc'd the DefinitiveSentence. People of all Ranks and Degrees came from the remotestPart of the Kingdom to be present at this Solemnity. The Victor, whoever he was, receiv'd from the King's own Hand a golden Cup, enrich'd with precious Stones, and upon the Delivery, the King madeuse of the following Salutation. _Receive this Reward of yourGenerosity, and may the Gods grant me Thousands of such valuableSubjects!_

Upon this memorable Day, the King appear'd in all the Pompimaginable on his Throne of State, surrounded by his Grandees, theMagi, and the Deputies, from all the surrounding Nations, of everyProvince that attended these public Sports, where Honour was to beacquir'd, not by the Velocity of the best Race-Horse, or by bodilyStrength, but by intrinsic Merit. The principal _Satrap_ proclaim'd, with an audible Voice, such Actions as would entitle the Victor tothe inestimable Prize; but never mention'd one Word of _Zadig's_Greatness of Soul, in returning his invidious Neighbour all hisEstate, notwithstanding he would have taken away his Life: That wasbut a Trifle, and not worth speaking of. 

The first that was set up for the Prize, was a Judge, that hadoccasion'd a Citizen to lose a very considerable Cause, through someMistake, for which he was no ways responsible, and made himRestitution out of his private Purse. 

The next Candidate was a Youth, that tho' violently in Love with onethat he intended shortly to make his Spouse, yet resign'd her to hisFriend, who was just expiring at her Feet; and moreover, gave her aPortion at the same Time. 

After this appear'd a Soldier, who, in the _Hyrcanian_ War, had donea much more glorious Action than the Lover. A Gang of _Hyrcanians_having taken his Mistress from him, he fought them bravely, andrescued her out of their Hands: Soon after, he was inform'd, thatanother Band of the same Party had hurried away his Mother to aPlace not far distant; he left his Mistress, all drown'd in Tears, and ran to his Mother's Assistance: After that Skirmish was over, hereturned to his Sweet-heart, and found her just expiring. He wouldfain have plung'd a Dagger into his Heart that Moment; but hisMother remonstrated to him, that, should he die, she should beentirely helpless, and upon that Account only he had Courage to livea little longer. 

The Judges seem'd very much inclin'd to give their Votes for theSoldier; but the King prevented them, by saying, that the Soldier'sAction was praise-worthy enough, and so were those of the rest, butnone of them give me any Surprize. What _Zadig_ did Yesterdayperfectly struck me with Astonishment. I'll mention anotherInstance. I had some few Days ago, as a Testimony of my Resentment, banish'd my Prime-Minister, and Favourite _Coreb_ from the Court. Icomplain'd of his Conduct in the warmest Terms; and all mySycophants about me, told me that I was too merciful; and loaded himwith the sharpest Invectives. I ask'd _Zadig_ what his Opinion wasof _Coreb_; and he dar'd to give him the best of Characters. I mustconfess, I have read in our publick Records, indeed, of Instanceswhere Restitution have been generally made, for Injuries committedby Mistake; where a Mistress has been resign'd; and where a Motherhas been preferr'd to a Mistress; but I never read of a Courtier, that would speak to the Advantage of a Minister in Disgrace, andagainst whom the Sovereign was highly incens'd. I'll give 20, 000Pieces of Gold to every Candidate that has been this Day proclaim'd, but I'll give the Cup to no one but _Zadig_. 

Sire, said _Zadig_, 'tis your Majesty alone, that deserves the Cup;'tis you alone who have done an Action of Generosity, never heard ofbefore; since you, who are King of Kings, wasn't exasperated againstyour Slave, when he contradicted you in the Heat of your Passion. Every Body gaz'd with Eyes of Admiration on the King and _Zadig_. The Judge, who had generously made Restitution for his Error; theLover, who had married his Mistress to his Friend; the Soldier, whohad preferr'd the Welfare of his Mother to that of his Mistress;received the promis'd Donation from the Monarch, and saw their Namesregister'd in the Book of _Fame_: But _Zadig_ had the Cup. The Kinggot the universal Character of a good Prince, which he did not longpreserve. This joyful Day was solemniz'd with Festivals beyond theTime by Law establish'd. Tragedies were acted there that drew Tearsfrom the Spectators; and Comedies that made them laugh; Entertainments, that the _Babylonians_ were perfect Strangers to: The Commemorationof it is still preserv'd in _Asia_. Now, said _Zadig_, I am happy atlast; but he was grosly mistaken. 

CHAP VI. 

_The_ JUDGMENTS. 

Young as _Zadig_ was, he was constituted chief Judge of all theTribunals throughout the Empire. He fill'd the Place, like one, whomthe Gods had endow'd with the strictest Justice, and the most solidWisdom. It was to him, the Nations round about were indebted forthat generous Maxim; _that 'tis much more Prudence to acquit twoPersons, tho' actually guilty, than to pass Sentence of Condemnationin one that is virtuous and innocent_. It was his firm Opinion, thatthe Laws were intended to be a Praise to those who did well, as muchas to be a Terror to Evildoers. It was his peculiar Talent to renderTruth as obvious as possible: Whereas most Men study to render itintricate and obscure. On the very first Day of his Entrance intohis High Office, he exerted this peculiar Talent. A rich Merchant, and a Native of _Babylon_, died in the _Indies_. He had made hisWill, and appointed his two Sons Joint-Heirs of his Estate, as soonas they had settled their Sister, and married her with their mutualApprobation. Moreover, he left a specific Legacy of 30, 000 Pieces ofGold to that Son, who should, after his Decease, be prov'd to lovehim best. The Eldest erected to his Memory a very costly Monument:The Youngest appropriated a considerable Part of his Bequest to theAugmentation of his Sister's Fortune: Every one, without Hesitation, gave the Preference to the Elder, allowing the Younger to have thegreatest Affection for his Sister. The Legacy therefore wasdoubtless due to the Eldest. 

Their Cause came before _Zadig_, and he examin'd them apart. To theformer, said _Zadig_, Your Father, Sir, is not dead, as is reported, but being happily recover'd, is on his Return to _Babylon_. God bepraised, said the young Man! but I hope the Expence I have been atin raising this superb Monument will be consider'd. After this, _Zadig_ repeated the same Story to the Younger. God be praised, saidhe! I will immediately restore all that he has left me; but I hopemy Father will not recal the little Present I have made my Sister. You have nothing to restore, Sir; you shall have the Legacy of thethirty thousand Pieces; for 'tis you that have the greatestVeneration for your deceased Father. 

A young Lady that was very rich, had entred into a Marriage-Contractwith two _Magis_; and having receiv'd Instructions from both Partiesfor some Months, she prov'd with Child. They were both ready andwilling to marry her. But, said she, he shall be my Husband, thathas put me into a Capacity of serving my Country, by adding one toit. 'Tis I, Madam, that have answered that valuable End, said one;but the other insisted 'twas his Operation. Well! said she, sincethis is a Moot-point, I'll acknowledge him for the Father of theChild, that will give him the most liberal Education. In a shortTime after, my Lady was brought to Bed of a hopeful Boy. Each ofthem insisted on being Tutor, and the Cause was brought before_Zadig_. The two Magi were order'd to appear in Court. Pray Sir, said _Zadig_ to the first, what Method of Instruction do you proposeto pursue for the Improvement of your young Pupil? He shall first begrounded, said this learned Pedagogue, in the Eight Parts of Speech;then I'll teach him Logic, Astrology, Magick, the wide Differencebetween the Terms Substance and Accident, Abstract and Concrete, _&c. &c. _ As for my Part, Sir, I shall take another Course, said thesecond; I'll do my utmost to make him an honest Man, and acceptableto his Friends. Upon this, _Zadig_ said, you, Sir, shall marry theMother, let who will be the Father. 

There came daily Complaints to Court against the _Itimadoulet_ of_Media_, whose Name was _Irax_. He was a Person of Quality, who waspossess'd of a very considerable Estate, notwithstanding he hadsquander'd away a great Part of it, by indulging himself in allManner of expensive Pleasures. It was but seldom that an Inferiorwas suffer'd to speak to him; but not a Soul durst contradict him:No Peacock was more gay; no Turtle more amorous; and no Tortoisemore indolent and inactive. He made false Glory and false Pleasureshis sole Pursuit. 

_Zadig_, undertaking to cure him, sent him forthwith, as by expressOrder from the King, a Musick-Master with twelve Voices, and 24Violins, as his Attendants; a Head Steward, with six Men Cooks, and4 Chamberlains, who were never to be out of his Sight. The Kingissued out his Writ for the punctual Observance of his Royal Will;and thus the Affair proceeded. 

The first Morning, as soon as the voluptuous _Irax_ had open'd hisEyes, his Musick-Master, with the Voices and Violins, entred hisApartment. They sang a Cantata, that lasted two Hours and threeMinutes. Every three Minutes the Chorus, or Burthen of the Song, wasto this Effect. 

 _Tisn't in Words to speak your Praise; What mighty Honours are your Due! To worth like yours we Altars raise, No Monarch's happier, Sir, than you. _

After the Cantata was over, the Chamberlain address'd him in aformal Harangue for three Quarters of an Hour without ceasing;wherein he took Occasion to extol every Virtue to which he was aperfect Stranger; when the Oration was over, he was conducted toDinner, where the Musicians were all in waiting, and play'd, as soonas he was seated at his Table. Dinner lasted three Hours before hecondescended to speak a Word. When he did; you say Right, Sir, saidthe chief Chamberlain; scarce had he utter'd four Words more, butRight, Sir, said the second. The other two Chamberlain's Time wastaken up in laughing with Admiration at _Irax's_ Smart Repartees, orat least such as he ought to have made. After the Cloth was takenaway, the adulating Chorus was repeated. 

This first Day _Irax_ was all in Raptures; he imagin'd, that thisHonour done him by the King of Kings, was the sole Result of hisexalted Merit. The second wasn't altogether so agreeable; The thirdprov'd somewhat troublesome; the fourth insupportable; the fifth wastormenting; and at last, he was perfectly outrageous at thecontinual Peal in his Ears of No Monarch's happier Sir, than you, You say right, _&c. _ and at being daily harangu'd at the same Hour. Whereupon he wrote to Court, and begg'd of his Majesty to recal hisChamberlain, his Musick-Master, and all his Retinue, his HeadSteward and his Cooks, and promis'd, in the most submissive Manner, to be less vain, and more industrious for the future. Tho' he didn'trequire so much Adulations, nor such grand Entertainments, he wasmuch more happy; for, as _Sadder_ has it, _One continued Scene ofPleasure, is no Pleasure at all_. 

_Zadig_ every Day gave incontestable Proofs of his wondrousPenetration, and the Goodness of his Heart; he was ador'd by thePeople, and was the Darling of the King. The little Difficultiesthat he met with in the first Stage of his Life, serv'd only toaugment his present Felicity. Every Night, however, he had someunlucky Dream or another, that gave him some Disturbance. One while, he imagin'd himself extended on a Bed of wither'd Plants, amongstwhich there were some that were sharp pointed, and made him veryrestless and uneasy; another Time, he fancied himself repos'd on aBed of Roses, out of which rush'd a Serpent, that stung him to theHeart with his envenom'd Tongue. Alas! said he, waking, I was onewhile upon a Bed of hard and nauseous Plants, and just this Momentrepos'd on a Bed of Roses. But then the Serpent. --

CHAP. VII. 

_The Force of_ JEALOUSY. 

The Misfortunes that attended _Zadig_ proceeded, in a great Measure, from his Preferment; but more from his intrinsic Merit. Every Day hehad familiar Converse with the King, his Royal Master, and hisaugust Consort, _Astarte_. And the Pleasure arising from thence wasgreatly enhanc'd from an innate Ambition of pleasing, which, inregard to Wit, is the same, as Dress is to Beauty. His Youth, andgraceful Deportment, had a greater Influence on _Astarte_, than shewas at first aware of. Tho' her Affection for him daily encreas'd;yet she was perfectly innocent. _Astarte_ would say, without theleast Reserve or Apprehension of Fear, that she was extreamlypleas'd with the Company of one, who was, not only a Favourite ofher Husband, but the Darling of the whole Empire. She wascontinually speaking in his Commendation before the King: He was theSubject of her whole Discourse amongst her Ladies of Honour, whowere as lavish of their Praises as herself. Such repeatedDiscourses, however innocent, made a deeper Impression on her Heart, than she at that Time apprehended. She would every now and then send_Zadig_ some little Present or another; which he construed as theResult of a greater Value for him than she intended. She said nomore of him, as she thought, than a Queen might innocently do, whowas perfectly assur'd of his Attachment to her Husband; sometimes, indeed, she would express her self with an Air of Tenderness andAffection. 

_Astarte_ was much handsomer than either his Mistress _Semira_, whohad such a natural Antipathy to a one-eyed Lord, or _Azora_, hislate loving Spouse, that would innocently have cut his Nose off. TheFreedoms which _Astarte_ took, her tender Expressions, at which shebegan to blush, the Glances of her Eye, which she would turn away, if perceiv'd, and which she fix'd upon his, kindled in the Heart of_Zadig_ a Fire, which struck him with Amazement. He did all he couldto smother it; he call'd up all the Philosophy he was Master of tohis Aid; but all in vain, for no Consolation arose from thoseReflections. 

Duty, Gratitude, and an injur'd Monarch, presented themselves beforehis Eyes, as avenging Deities: He bravely struggled; he triumph'dindeed; but this Conquest over his Passions, which he was oblig'd tocheck every Moment, cost him many a deep Sigh and Tear. He durst nottalk with the Queen any more, with that Freedom which was tooengaging on both Sides; his Eyes were obnubilated; his Discourse wasforc'd and unconnected; he turn'd his Eyes another Way; and when, against his Inclination, they met with those of the Queen, he found, that tho' drown'd in Tears, they darted Flames of Fire: They seem'din Silence to intimate, that they were afraid of being in love witheach other; and that both burn'd with a Fire which both condemn'd. 

_Zadig_ flew from her Presence, like one beside himself, and inDespair; his Heart was over-charg'd with a Burthen, too great forhim to bear: In the Heat of his Conflicts, he disclos'd the Secretsof his Heart to his trusty Friend _Cador_, as one, who, having longgroan'd under the Weight of an inexpressible Anguish of Mind, atonce makes known the Cause of his Torments by the Groans, as itwere, extorted from him, and by the Drops of a cold Sweat, thattrickled down his Cheeks. 

_Cador_ said to him; 'tis now some considerable Time since, I havediscover'd that secret Passion which you have foster'd in yourBosom, and yet endeavour'd to conceal even from your self. ThePassions carry along with them such strong Impressions, that theycannot be conceal'd. Tell me ingenuously _Zadig_; and be your ownAccuser, whether or no, since I have made this Discovery, the Kinghas not shewn some visible Marks of his Resentment. He has no otherFoible, but that of being the most jealous Mortal breathing. Youtake more Pains to check the Violence of your Passion, than theQueen herself does; because you are a Philosopher; because, inshort, you are _Zadig_; _Astarte_ is but a weak Woman; and tho' herEyes speak too visibly, and with too much Imprudence; yet she doesnot think her self blame-worthy. Being conscious of her Innocence, to her own Misfortune, as well as yours, she is too unguarded. Itremble for her; because I am sensible her Conscience acquits her. Were you both agreed, you might conceal your Regard for each otherfrom all the World: A rising Passion, that is smother'd, breaks outinto a Flame; Love, when once gratified, knows how to conceal itselfwith Art. _Zadig_ shudder'd at the Proposition of ungratefullyviolating the Bed of his Royal Benefactor; and never was there amore loyal Subject to a Prince, tho' guilty of an involuntary Crime. The Queen, however, repeated the Name of _Zadig_ so often, and herCheeks glow'd with such a red, when ever she utter'd it; she was onewhile so transported, and at another, so dejected, when theDiscourse turn'd upon him in the King's Presence; she was in such aReverie, so confus'd and stupid, when he went out of the Presence, that her Deportment made the King extremely uneasy. He was convinc'dof every Thing he saw, and form'd in his Mind an Idea of a thousandThings he did not see. He observ'd, particularly, that _Astarte's_Sandals were blue; so _Zadig's_ were blue likewise; that as theQueen wore yellow Ribbands, _Zadig's_ Turbet was of the same Colour:These were shocking Circumstances for a Monarch of his Cast of Mindto reflect on! To a Mind, in short, so distemper'd as his was, Suspicions were converted into real Facts. 

All Court Slaves, and Sycophants, are so many Spies on Kings andQueens: They soon discover'd that _Astarte_ was fond, and _Moabdar_jealous. _Arimazius_, his envious Foe, who was as incorrigible asever; for Flints will never soften; and Creatures, that are byNature venemous, forever retain their Poison. _Arimazius_, I say, wrote an anonymous Letter to _Moabdar_, the infamous Recourse ofsordid Spirits, who are the Objects of universal Contempt; but inthis Case, an Affair of the last Importance; because this Lettertallied with the baneful Suggestions that Monarch had conceiv'd. Inshort, his Thoughts were now wholly bent upon Revenge. He determin'dto poison _Astarte_ on a certain Night, and to have _Zadig_strangled by Break of Day. Orders for that Purpose were expresslygiven to a merciless, inhuman Eunuch, the ready Executioner of hisVengeance. At that critical Conjuncture, there happen'd to be aDwarf, who was dumb, but not deaf, in the King's Apartment. Nobodyregarded him: He was an Eye and Ear-witness of all that pass'd, andyet no more suspected than any irrational Domestic Animal. Thislittle Dwarf had conceiv'd a peculiar Regard for _Astarte_ and_Zadig_: He heard, with equal Horror and Surprize, the King's Ordersto destroy them both. But how to prevent those Orders from being putinto Execution, as the Time was so short, was all his Concern. Hecould not write, 'tis true, but he had luckily learnt to draw, andtake a Likeness. He spent a good Part of the Night in delineatingwith Crayons, on a Piece of Paper, the imminent Danger that thusattended the Queen. In one Corner, he represented the King highlyincens'd, and giving his cruel Eunuch the fatal Orders; in another, a Bowl and a Cord upon a Table; in the Center was the Queen, expiring in the Arms of her Maids of Honour, with _Zadig_ strangled, and laid dead at her Feet. In the Horizon was the rising Sun, todenote, that this execrable Scene was to be exhibited by Break ofDay. No sooner was his Design finish'd, but he ran with it to one of_Astarte's_ Female Favourites, then in waiting, call'd her up, andgave her to understand, that she must carry the Draught to _Astarte_that very Moment. 

In the mean Time, the Queen's Attendants, tho' it was Dead of Night, knock'd at the Door of _Zadig's_ Apartment, wak'd him, and deliver'dinto his Hands a Billet from the Queen. At first he could not welltell whether he was only in a Dream or not, but soon read theLetter, with a trembling Hand, and a heavy Heart: Words can'texpress his Surprise, and the Agonies of Despair which he was inupon his perusal of the Contents. _Fly_, said she, _Dear_ Zadig, _this very Moment; for your Life's in the utmost Danger: Fly, Dear_Zadig, _I conjure you, in the Name of that fatal Passion, with whichI have long struggled, and which I now venture to discover, as Iam to make Atonement for it, in a few Moments, by the Loss of myLife. Tho' I am conscious to myself of my Innocence, I find I am tofeel the Weight of my Husband's Resentment, and die the Death of aTraitor. _

_Zadig_ was scarce able to speak. He order'd his Friend _Cador_ tobe instantly call'd, and gave him the Letter the Moment he came, without opening his Lips. _Cador_ press'd him to regard theContents, and to make the best of his Way to _Memphis_. If youpresume, said he, to have an Interview with her Majesty first, youinevitably hasten her Execution; or if you wait upon the King, thefatal Consequence will be the same: I'll prevent her unhappy Fate, if possible; you follow but your own: I'll give it out, that you aregone to the _Indies_: I'll wait on you as soon as the Hurricane isblown over, and I'll let you know all that occurs material in_Babylon_. 

_Cador_, that Instant, order'd two of the fleetest Dromedaries thatcould be got, to be in readiness at a private Back-Door belonging tothe Court; he help'd _Zadig_ to mount his Beast, tho' ready to dropinto the Earth. He had but one trusty Servant to attend him, and_Cador_, overwhelm'd with Grief, soon lost Sight of his dearlybeloved Friend. 

This illustrious Fugitive soon reach'd the Summit of a little Hill, that afforded him a fair Prospect of the whole City of _Babylon_:But turning his Eyes back towards the Queen's Palace, he faintedaway; and when he had recover'd his Senses, he drown'd his Eyes in aFlood of Tears, and with Impatience wish'd for Death. To conclude, after he had reflected, with Horror, on the deplorable Fate of themost amiable Creature in the Universe, and of the most meritoriousQueen that ever liv'd; he for a Moment commanded his Passion, andwith a Sigh, made the following Exclamations: What is this mortalLife! O Virtue, Virtue, of what Service hast thou been to me! Twoyoung Ladies, a Mistress, and a Wife, have prov'd false to me; athird, who is perfectly innocent, and ten thousand Times handsomerthan either of them, has suffer'd Death, 'tis probable, before this, on my Account! All the Acts of Benevolence which I have shewn, havebeen the Foundation of my Sorrows, and I have been only rais'd tothe highest Spoke of Fortune's Wheel, for no other Purpose than tobe tumbled down with the greater Force. Had I been as abandon'd assome Miscreants are, I had like them been happy. His Head thusoverwhelm'd with these melancholy Reflections, his Eyes thus sunk inhis Head, and his meagre Cheeks all pale and languid; and, in aWord, his very Soul thus plung'd in the Abyss of deep Despair, hepursu'd his Journey towards _Egypt_. 

CHAP. VIII. 

_The Thrash'd_ WIFE. 

_Zadig_ steer'd his Course by the Stars that shone over his Head. The Constellation of Orion, and the radiant Dog-star directed himtowards the Pole of Canope. He reflected with Admiration on thoseimmense Globes of Light, which appear'd to the naked Eye no morethan little twinkling Lights; whereas the Earth he was thentraversing, which, in Reality, is no more than an imperceptiblePoint in Nature, seem'd, according to the selfish Idea we generallyentertain of it, something very immense, and very magnificent. Hethen reflected on the whole Race of Mankind, and look'd upon them, as they are in Fact, a Parcel of Insects, or Reptiles, devouring oneanother on a small Atom of Clay. This just Idea of them greatlyalleviated his Misfortunes, recollecting the Nothingness, if we maybe allow'd the Expression, of his own Being, and even of _Babylon_itself. His capacious Soul now soar'd into Infinity, and hecontemplated, with the same Freedom, as if she was disencumber'dfrom her earthly Partner, on the immutable Order of the Universe. But as soon as she cower'd her Wings, and resumed her native Seat, he began to consider that _Astarte_ might possibly have lost herLife for his Sake; upon which, his Thoughts of the Universe vanish'dall at once, and no other Objects appear'd before his distemper'dEyes, but his _Astarte_ giving up the Ghost, and himself overwhelm'dwith a Sea of Troubles: As he gave himself up to this Flux andReflux of sublime Philosophy and Anxiety of Mind, he was insensiblyarriv'd on the Frontiers of _Egypt_: And his trusty Attendant had, unknown to him, stept into the first Village, and sought out for aproper Apartment for his Master and himself. _Zadig_ in the meanTime made the best of his Way to the adjacent Gardens; where he saw, not far distant from the High-way, a young Lady, all drown'd inTears, calling upon Heaven and Earth for Succour in her Distress, and a Man, fir'd with Rage and Resentment, in pursuit after her. Hehad now just overtaken her, and she fell prostrate at his Feetimploring his Forgiveness. He loaded her with a thousand Reproaches;nor did he spare to chastise her in the most outrageous Manner. Bythe _Egyptian's_ cruel Deportment towards her, he concluded that theMan was a jealous Husband, and that the Lady was an Inconstant, andhad defil'd his Bed: But when he reflected, that the Woman was aperfect Beauty, and to his thinking something like the unfortunate_Astarte_, he perceiv'd his Heart yearn with Compassion towards theLady, and swell with Indignation against her Tyrant. For Heaven'ssake, Sir, assist me, said she, to _Zadig_, sobbing as if her Heartwould break, Oh! deliver me out of the Hands of this _Barbarian_:Save, Sir, O save my Life. Upon these her shocking Outcries, _Zadig_threw himself between the injur'd Lady and the inexorable Brute. Andas he had some smattering of the _Egyptian_ Tongue, he expostulatedwith him in his own Dialect, and said: Dear Sir, if you are endow'dwith the least Spark of Humanity, let me conjure you to have somePity and Remorse for so beautiful a Creature; have some Regard, Sir, to the Weakness of her Sex. How can you treat a Lady, who is one ofNature's Master-pieces, in such a rude and outrageous Manner, onewho lies weeping at your Feet for Forgiveness, and one who has noother Recourse than her Tears for her Defence? Oh! Oh! said thejealous-pated Fellow in a Fury to _Zadig_, What! You are one of herGallants, I suppose. I'll be reveng'd of thee, thou Villain, thisMoment. No sooner were the Words out of his Mouth, but he quits holdof the Lady, in whose Hair he had twisted his Fingers before, takesup his Lance in a Fury, and endeavours to the utmost of his Pow'r toplunge it in the Stranger's Heart: _Zadig_, however, being cool, warded the intended Blow with Ease. He laid fast hold of his Lancetowards the Point. One strove to recover it, and the other to snatchit away by Force. They broke it between them. Whereupon the_Egyptian_ drew his Sword. _Zadig_ drew his: They fought: The formermade a hundred rash Passes one after another, which the latterparried with the utmost Dexterity. The Lady sat herself upon aGrass-plat, adjusting her Head-dress, and looking on the Combatants. The _Egyptian_ was too strong for _Zadig_, but _Zadig_ was morenimble and active. The latter fought as a Man whose Hand was guidedby his Head; the former as a Mad-man who dealt about his Blows atrandom. _Zadig_ took the Advantage, made a Plunge at him, anddisarm'd him. And forasmuch as he found that the _Egyptian_ washotter than ever, and endeavour'd all he could to throw him down byDint of Strength, _Zadig_ laid fast hold of him, flew upon him, andtripp'd up his Heels: After that, holding the Point of his Sword tohis Breast, like a Man of Honour, gave him his Life. The _Egyptian_, fir'd with Rage, and having no Command of his Passion, drew hisDagger, and wounded _Zadig_ like a Coward, whilst the Victorgenerously forgave him. Upon that unexpected Action, _Zadig_, beingincens'd to the last Degree, plung'd his Sword deep into his Bosom. The _Egyptian_ fetch'd a hideous Groan, and died upon the Spot. _Zadig_ then approach'd the Lady, and with a kind of Concern, in thesoftest Terms told her, that he was oblig'd to kill her Insulter, tho' against his Inclinations. I have aveng'd your Cause, anddeliver'd you out of the merciless Hands of the most outrageous ManI ever saw. Now, Madam, let me know your farther Will and Pleasurewith me. You shall die, you Villain! You have murder'd my Love. Oh!I could tear your Heart out. Indeed, Madam, said _Zadig_, you hadone of the most hot-headed, oddest Lovers I ever saw. He beat youmost unmercifully, and would have taken away my Life because youcall'd me in to your Assistance. Would to God he was but alive tobeat me again, said she, blubbering and roaring; I deserv'd to bebeat. I gave him too just Occasion to be jealous of me. Would to Godthat he had beat me, and you had died in his Stead! _Zadig_ moreastonish'd, and more exasperated than ever he was in all his Life, said to her: Really, Madam, you put on such extravagant Airs, thatyou tempt me, pretty as you are, to thresh you most cordially in myTurn; but I scorn to concern my self any more about you. Upon this, he remounted his Dromedary, and made the best of his Way towards theVillage: But before he had got near a hundred Yards, he return'dupon an Out-cry that was made by four Couriers from _Babylon_. Theyrode full Speed. One of them, spying the young Widow, cried out. There she is, That's she. She answers in every Respect to theDescription we had of her. They never took the least Notice of herdead Gallant, but secur'd her directly. Oh! Sir, cried she to_Zadig_, again and again, dear Sir, most generous Stranger, oncemore deliver me from a Pack of Villains. I most humbly beg yourPardon for my late Conduct and unjust Complaint of you. Do but standmy Friend, at this critical Conjuncture, and I'll be your mostobedient Vassal till Death. _Zadig_ had now no Inclination to fightfor one so undeserving any more. Find some other to be your Foolnow, Madam; you shan't impose upon me a second Time. I'll assureyou, Madam, I know better Things. Besides he was wounded; and bledso fast that he wanted Assistance himself: And 'tis very probable, that the Sight of the _Babylonian_ Couriers, who were dispatch'dfrom King _Moabdar_, might discompose him very much. He made all theHaste he could towards the Village, not being able to conceive whatshould be the real Cause of the young Lady's being secur'd by those_Babylonish_ Officers, and as much at a Loss, at the same Time, whatto think of such a Termagant and a Coquet. 

CHAP. IX. 

_The_ CAPTIVE. 

No sooner was _Zadig_ arriv'd at the _Egyptian_ Villagebefore-mention'd, but he found himself surrounded by a Croud. ThePeople one and all cried out! See! See! there's the Man that ranaway with the beauteous Lady _Missouf_, and murder'd _Cletofis_. Gentlemen, said he, God forbid that I should ever entertain aThought of running away with the Lady you speak of: She is too muchof a Coquet: And as to _Cletofis_, I did not murder him, but kill'dhim in my own Defence. He endeavour'd all he could to take my Lifeaway, because I entreated him to take some Pity and Compassion onthe beauteous _Missouf_, whom he beat most unmercifully. I am aStranger, who am fled hither for Shelter, and 'tis highlyimprobable, that upon my first Entrance into a Country, where I camefor Safety and Protection, I should be guilty of two such enormousCrimes, as that of running away with another Man's Partner, and thatof clandestinely murdering him on her Account. 

The _Egyptians_ at that Time were just and humane. The Populace, tistrue, hurried _Zadig_ to the Town-Goal; but they took care in thefirst Place to stop the Bleeding of his Wounds, and afterwardsexamin'd the suppos'd Delinquents apart, in order to discover, ifpossible, the real Truth. They acquitted _Zadig_ of the Charge ofwilful and premeditated Murder; but as he had taken a Subject's Lifeaway, tho' in his own Defence, he was sentenc'd to be a Slave, asthe Law directed. His two Beasts were sold in open Market, for theService of the Hamlet; What Money he had was distributed amongst theInhabitants; and he and his Attendant were expos'd in theMarket-place to public Sale. An _Arabian_ Merchant, _Setoc_ by Name, purchas'd them both; but as the Valet, or Attendant, was a robustMan, and better cut out for hard Labour than the Master, he fetch'dthe most Money. There was no Comparison to be made between them. _Zadig_ therefore was a Slave subordinate to his Valet; they secur'dthem both, however, by a Chain upon their Legs; and so link'd theyaccompanied their Master home. _Zadig_, as they were on the Road, comforted his Fellow-Slave, and exhorted him to bear his Misfortuneswith Patience: But, according to Custom, he made several Reflectionson the Vicissitudes of human Life. I am now sensible, said he, thatmy impropitious Fortune has some malignant Influence over thine;every Occurrence of my Life hitherto has prov'd strangely odd andunaccountable. In the first Place, I was sentenc'd to die at_Babylon_, for writing a short Panegyrick on the King, my Master. Inthe next, I narrowly escap'd being strangled, for the Queen hisRoyal Consort's speaking a little too much in my Favour; and here Iam a joint-Slave with thy self; because a turbulent Fellow of aGallant would beat his Lady. However, Comrade, let us march onboldly; let not our Courage be cast down; all this may possibly havea happier Issue than we expect. 'Tis absolutely necessary that these_Arabian_ Merchants should have Slaves, and why should not you andI, as we are but Men, be Slaves as Thousands of others are? ThisMaster of ours may not prove inexorable. He must treat his Slaveswith some Thought and Consideration, if he expects them to do hisWork. This was his Discourse to his Comrade; but his Mind was moreattentive to the Misfortunes of the Queen of _Babylon_. 

Two Days afterwards _Setoc_ set out with his two Slaves and hisCamels, for _Arabia Deserta_. His Tribe liv'd near the Desert of_Horeb_. The Way was long and tedious. _Setoc_, during the Journey, paid a much greater Regard to _Zadig's_ Valet, than to himself;because the former was the most able to load the Camels; andtherefore what little Distinctions were made, they were in hisFavour. It so happen'd that one of the Camels died upon the Road:The Load which the Beast carried was immediately divided, and thrownupon the Shoulders of the two Slaves; _Zadig_ had his Share. _Setoc_, couldn't forbear laughing to see his two Slaves crouchingunder their Burthen. _Zadig_ took the Liberty to explain the Reasonthereof; and convinc'd him of the Laws of the Equilibrium. TheMerchant was a little startled at his philosophical Discourse, andlook'd upon him with a more favourable Eye than at first. _Zadig_, perceiving he had rais'd his Curiosity, redoubled it, by instructinghim in several material Points, which were in some Measure, advantageous to him in his Way of Business: Such as, the specificWeight of Metals, and other Commodities of various Kinds, of anequal Bulk; the Properties of several useful Animals, and the bestWays and Means to make Such as were wild, tame by Degrees, and fitfor Service: In short, _Zadig_ was look'd upon by his Master, as aperfect Oracle. _Setoc_ now thought the Master the much better Manof the two. He us'd him courteously, and had no Room to repent ofhis Indulgence towards him. 

Being got to their Journey's End, the first Step that _Setoc_ tookwas to claim a Debt of five hundred Ounces of Silver of a _Jew_, whohad borrow'd it in the Presence of two Witnesses; but both of themwere dead; and as the _Jew_ was conscious he couldn't be cast forWant of Evidence, appropriated the Merchant's Money to his own Use, and thank'd God that it lay in his Power for once to bite an_Arabian_ with Impunity. _Setoc_ discover'd to _Zadig_ the unhappySituation of his Case, as he was now become his Confident. Where wasit, pray, said _Zadig_, that you lent this large Sum to thatungrateful Infidel? Upon a large Stone, said the Merchant, at theFoot of Mount _Horeb_. What sort of a Man is your Debtor, said_Zadig_? Oh! he is as errand a Rogue as ever breath'd, reply'd_Setoc_. That I take for granted; but, says _Zadig_, is he a lively, active Man, or is he a dull heavy-headed Fellow? He is one of theworst of Pay-masters in the World, but the merriest, most sprightlyFellow I ever met with. Very well! said _Zadig_, let me be one ofyour Council when your Cause comes to be heard. In short, hesummon'd the _Jew_ to attend the Court; where, when the Judge wassat, _Zadig_ open'd the Cause: Thou impartial Judge of this Court ofEquity, I am come here, in behalf of my Master, to demand of theDefendant five hundred Ounces of Silver, which he refuses to pay, and would fain traverse the Debt. Have you, Friend, your Witnessesready to prove the Loan, said the Judge? No, they are dead; butthere is a large Stone still subsisting, on which the Money wasdeposited; and if your Excellence, will be pleas'd to order theStone to be brought in Court, I don't doubt but the Evidence it willgive, will be Proof sufficient of the Fact. I hope your Excellencewill order, that the _Jew_ and myself shall be oblig'd to attend theCourt, till the Stone comes, and I'll dispatch a special Messengerto fetch it, at my Master's Expence. Your Request is veryreasonable, said the Judge. Do as you propose; and so call'd anotherCause. 

When the Court was ready to break up, Well! said the Judge to_Zadig_, is your Stone come yet? The _Jew_, with a Sneer, replied, your Excellence may wait here till this Time To-morrow, before theStone will appear in Court; for 'tis above six Mile off, and it willrequire fifteen Men to remove it from its Place. 'Tis well! replied_Zadig_. I told your Excellence that the Stone would be a verymaterial Evidence. Since the Defendant can point out the Place wherethe Stone lies, he tacitly confesses, that it was upon that Stonethe Money was deposited. The _Jew_ thus unexpectedly confuted, wassoon oblig'd to acknowledge the Debt. The Judge order'd that the_Jew_ should be tied fast to the Stone, without Victuals or Drink, till he should advance the five hundred Ounces of Silver, which weresoon paid accordingly, and the _Jew_ releas'd. The Slave _Zadig_, and this remarkable Stone-Witness, were in great Repute all over_Arabia_. 

CHAP. X. 

_The_ FUNERAL PILE. 

_Setoc_, transported with his good Success, of a Slave made _Zadig_his Favourite Companion and Confident; he found him as necessary inthe Conduct of his Affairs, as the King of _Babylon_ had before donein the Administration of his Government; and lucky it was for_Zadig_ that _Setoc_ had no Wife. 

He discover'd, that his Master was in his Temper benevolent, strictly honest, and a Man of good natural Parts. _Zadig_ was verymuch concern'd, that One of so much Sense should pay divineAdoration to a whole Host of created, tho' Celestial Beings, that isto say, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, according to the antient Custom ofthe _Arabians_. He talk'd, at first, to his Master, with greatPrecaution on so important a Topick. But at last told him, in directTerms, that they were created Bodies, as others, tho' of lessLustre, and that there was no more Adoration due to them, than to aStock or a Stone. But, said _Setoc_, they are eternal Beings to whomwe are indebted for all the Blessings we enjoy; they animate Nature;they regulate the Seasons; they are, in a Word, at such an infiniteDistance from us, that it would be downright impious not to adorethem. You are more indebted, said _Zadig_, to the Waters of the RedSea, which transport so many valuable Commodities into the _Indies_. Why, pray, may not they be deem'd as antient as the Stars? And ifyou are so fond of paying your Adoration on Account of their vastDistance; why don't you adore the Land of the _Gangarides_, whichlies in the utmost Extremities of the Earth. No, said _Setoc_, thereis something so surprisingly more brilliant in the Stars than whatyou speak of; that a Man must adore them whether he will or not. 

At the Close of the Evening, _Zadig_ planted a long Range of Candlesin the Front of his Tent, where _Setoc_ and he were to sup thatNight: And as soon as he perceiv'd his Patron to be at the Door, hefell prostrate on his Knees before the Wax-Lights. O ye everlasting, ever-shining Luminaries, be always propitious to your Votary, said_Zadig_. Having repeated these Words so loud as _Setoc_ might hearthem, he sat down to Table, without taking the least Notice of_Setoc_. What! said _Setoc_, somewhat startled at his Conduct, artthou at thy Prayers before Supper? I act just as inconsistently, Sir, as you do; I worship these Candles; without reflecting on theirMakers, or yourself, who are my most beneficent Patron. 

_Setoc_ took the Hint, and was conscious of the Reproof that wasconceal'd so genteely under a Vail. The superior Wisdom of his Slaveenlightned his Mind; and from that Hour he was less lavish than everhe had been, of his Incense to those created Beings, and for thefuture, paid his Adoration to the eternal God who made them. 

At that Time there was a most hideous Custom in high Repute all over_Arabia_, which came originally from _Scythia_; but having met withthe Sanction of the bigotted Brachmans, threatn'd to spread itsInfection all over the _East_. When a married Man happen'd to die, if his dearly beloved Widow ever expected to be esteem'd a Saint, she must throw herself headlong upon her Husband's Funeral-Pile. This was look'd upon as a solemn Festival, and was call'd theWidow's Sacrifice. That Tribe which could boast of the greatestNumber of burnt-Widows, was look'd upon as the most meritorious. An_Arabian_, who was of the Tribe of _Setoc_, happen'd just at thatJuncture, to be dead, and his Widow (_Almona_ by Name) who was anoted Devotee, publish'd the Day, nay, the Hour, that she propos'dto throw herself (according to Custom) on her deceased Husband'sFuneral Pile, and be attended by a Concert of Drums and Trumpets. _Zadig_ remonstrated to _Setoc_, what a shocking Custom this was, and how directly repugnant to human Nature; by permitting youngWidows, almost every Day, to become wilful Self-Murderers; when theymight be of Service to their Country, either by the Addition of newSubjects, or by the Education of such as demanded their MaternalIndulgence. And, by arguing seriously with _Setoc_ for some Time, heforc'd from him at last, an ingenuous Confession, that the barbarousCustom then subsisting, ought, if possible, to be abolish'd. 'Tisnow, replied _Setoc_, above a thousand Years since the Widows of_Arabia_ have been indulg'd with this Privilege of dying with theirHusbands; and how shall any one dare to abrogate a Law that has beenestablish'd Time out of Mind? Is there any Thing more inviolablethan even an antient Error? But, replied _Zadig_, Reason is of moreantient Date than the Custom you plead for. Do you communicate theseSentiments to the Sovereigns of your Tribes, and in the mean whileI'll go, and sound the Widow's Inclinations. 

Accordingly he paid her a Visit, and having insinuated himself intoher Favour, by a few Compliments on her Beauty, after urging what apity it was, that a young Widow, Mistress of so many Charms, shouldmake away with herself for no other reason but to mingle her Asheswith a Husband that was dead; he, notwithstanding, applauded her forher heroic Constancy and Courage. I perceive, Madam, said he, youwas excessively fond of your deceased Spouse. Not I truly, reply'dthe young _Arabian_ Devotee. He was a Brute, infected with agroundless Jealousy of my Virtue; and, in short, a perfect Tyrant. But, notwithstanding all this, I am determin'd to comply with ourCustom. Surely then, Madam, there's a Sort of secret Pleasure inbeing burnt alive. Alas! with a Sigh, cried _Almona_, 'tis a Shockindeed to Nature; but must be complied with for all that. I am aprofess'd Devotee, and should I shew the least Reluctance, myReputation would be lost for ever; all the World would laugh at me, should I not burn myself on this Occasion: _Zadig_ having forc'd heringenuously to confess, that she parted with her Life more out ofRegard to what the World would say of her, and out of Pride andOstentation, than any real Love for the deceas'd, he talk'd to herfor some considerable Time so rationally, and us'd so manyprevailing Arguments with her to justify her due Regard for the Lifewhich she was going to throw away, that she began to wave theThought, and entertain a secret Affection for her friendly Monitor. Pray, Madam, tell me, said _Zadig_, how would you dispose ofyourself, upon the Supposition, that you could shake off this vainand barbarous Notion? Why, said Dame, with an amorous Glance, Ithink verily I should accept of yourself for a second Bed-fellow. 

The Memory of _Astarte_ had made too strong an Impression on hisMind, to close with this warm Declaration: He took his leave, however, that Moment, and waited on the Chiefs. He communicated tothem the Substance of their private Conversation, and prevailed withthem to make it a Law for the future, that no Widow should beallow'd to fall a Victim to a deceased Husband, till after she hadadmitted some young Man to converse with her in private for a wholeHour together. The Law was pass'd accordingly, and not one Widow inall _Arabia_, from that Day to this, ever observ'd the Custom. 'Twasto _Zadig_ alone that the _Arabian_ Dames were indebted for theAbolition, in one Hour, of a Custom so very inhuman, that had beenpractis'd for such a Number of Ages. _Zadig_, therefore, with thestrictest Justice, was look'd upon by all the Fair Sex in _Arabia_, as their most bountiful Benefactor. 

CHAP. XI. 

_The Evening's Entertainment. _

_Setoc_, who would never stir out without his Bosom-Friend (in whomalone, as he thought, all Wisdom center'd) resolv'd to take him withhim to _Balzora_ Fair, whither the richest Merchants round the wholehabitable Globe, us'd annually to resort. _Zadig_ was delighted tosee such a Concourse of substantial Tradesmen from all Countries, assembled together in one Place. It appear'd to him, as if the wholeUniverse was but one large Family, and all happily met together at_Balzora_. On the second Day of the Fair, he sat down to Table withan _Egyptian_, an _Indian_, that liv'd on the Banks of the River_Ganges_, an Inhabitant of _Cathay_, a _Grecian_, a _Celt_, andseveral other Foreigners, who by their frequent Voyages towards the_Arabian_ Gulf, were so far conversant with the _Arabic_ Language, as to be able to discourse freely, and be mutually understood. The_Egyptian_ began to fly into a Passion; what a scandalous Place isthis _Balzora_, said he, where they refuse to lend me a thousandOunces of Gold, upon the best Security that can possibly be offer'd. Pray, said _Setoc_, what may the Commodity be that you would depositas a Pledge for the Sum you mention. Why, the Corpse of my deceasedAunt, said he, who was one of the finest Women in all _Egypt_. Shewas my constant Companion; but unhappily died upon the Road. I havetaken so much Care, that no Mummy whatever can equal it: And was Iin my own Country, I could be furnish'd with what Sum soever Ipleas'd, were I dispos'd to mortgage it. 'Tis a strange Thing thatNobody here will advance so small a Sum upon so valuable aCommodity. No sooner had he express'd his Resentment, but he wasgoing to cut up a fine boil'd Pullet, in order to make a Meal on't, when an _Indian_ laid hold of his Hand, and with deep Concern, criedout, For God's Sake what are you about? Why, said the _Egyptian_, Idesign to make a Wing of this Fowl one Part of my Supper. Pray, goodSir, consider what you are doing, said the _Indian_. 'Tis verypossible, that the Soul of the deceas'd Lady may have taken itsResidence in that Fowl. And you wouldn't surely run the Risque ofeating up your Aunt? To boil a Fowl is, doubtless, a most shamefulOutrage done to Nature. Pshaw! What a Pother you make about theboiling of a Fowl, and flying in the Face of Nature, replied the_Egyptian_ in a Pet; tho' we _Egyptians_ pay divine Adoration to theOx; yet we can make a hearty Meal of a Piece of roast Beef for allthat. Is it possible, Sir, that your Country-men should act soabsurdly, as to pay an Ox the Tribute of divine Worship, said the_Indian_? Absurd as you think it, said the other, the Ox has beenthe principal Object of Adoration all over _Egypt_, for thesehundred and thirty five thousand Years, and the most abandon'd_Egyptian_ has never been as yet so impious as to gain-say it. Ay, Sir, an hundred thirty five thousand Years, say you, surely you mustbe out a little in your Calculation. 'Tis but about fourscorethousand Years, since _India_ was first inhabited. Sure I am, we area more antient People than you are, and our _Brama_ prohibited theeating of Beef long before your Nation ever erected an Altar inHonour of the Ox, or ever put one upon a Spit. What a Racket youmake about your _Brama_! Is he able to stand the least inCompetition with our _Apis_, said the _Egyptian_? Let us hear, pray, what mighty Feats have been done by your boasted _Brama_? Why, replied the _Bramin_, he first taught his Votaries to write andread; and 'tis to him alone, all the World is indebted for theInvention of the noble Game of Chess. You are quite out, Sir, inyour Notion, said a _Chaldean_, who sat within Hearing: All theseinvaluable Blessings were deriv'd from the Fish _Oannés_; and 'tisthat alone to which the Tribute of divine Adoration is justly due. All the World will tell you, that 'twas a divine Being whose Tailwas pure Gold, whose Head resembled that of a Man, tho' indeed theFeatures were much more beautiful; and that he condescended to visitthe Earth three Hours every Day, for the Instruction of Mankind. Hehad a numerous Issue, as is very well known, and all of them werepowerful Monarchs. I have a Picture of it at Home, to which, as inDuty I ought, I Say my Prayers at Night before I go to Bed, andevery Morning that I rise. There is no Harm, Sir, as I can conceive, in partaking of a Piece of roast Beef; but, doubtless, 'tis a mortalSin, a Crime of the blackest Dye, to touch a Piece of Fish. Besides, you cannot justly boast of so illustrious an Origin, and you areboth of you mere Moderns, in Comparison to us _Chaldeans_, You_Egyptians_ lay claim to no more than 135, 000 Years, and you_Indians_, but of 80, 000. Whereas we have Almanacks that are dated4000 Centuries backwards. Take my Word for it; I speak nothing butTruth; renounce your Errors, and I'll make each of you a Present ofa fine Portrait of our _Oannés_. 

A Native of _Cambalu_, entring into the Debate, said, I have a verygreat Veneration, not only for the _Egyptians_, _Chaldeans_, _Greeks_, and _Celtæ_; but for _Brama_, _Apis_, and the _Oannés_, but in my humble Opinion, the *_Li_, or as 'tis by some call'd, the *_Tien_, is an Object more deserving of divine Adoration thanany Ox, or Fish, how much soever you may boast of their respectivePerfections. All I shall say, in regard to my native Country, 'tisof much greater Extent, than all _Egypt_, _Chaldea_, and the_Indies_ put together. I shall lay no Stress on the Antiquity of myCountry; for I imagine 'tis of much greater Importance to be thehappiest People, than the most antient under the Sun. However, sinceyou were talking of the Almanacks, I must beg the Liberty to tellyou, that ours are look'd upon to be the best all over _Asia_; andthat we had several very correct ones before the Art of Arithmetickwas ever heard of in _Chaldea_. 

 * _The_ Chinese _Term_, Li, _signifies, properly speaking, natural Light, or Reason; and_ Tien, _the Heavens, or the supreme Being. _

You are all of you a Parcel of illiterate, ignorant Bigots, cry'd a_Grecian_: 'Tis plain, you know nothing of the Chaos, and that theWorld, as it now stands, is owing wholly to _Matter_ and _Form_. The_Greek_ ran on for a considerable Time; but was at last interruptedby a _Celt_, who having drank deep, during the whole Time of thisDebate, thought himself ten Times wiser than any of his Antagonists;and wrapping out a great Oath, insisted, that all their Gods werenothing, if set in Competition with the _Teutath_ or the Misletoe onthe Oak. As for my part, said he, I carry some of it always in myPocket: As to my Ancestors, they were _Scythians_, and the only Menworth talking of in the whole World: 'Tis true, indeed, they wouldnow and then make a Meal of their Country-men, but that ought not tobe urg'd as any Objection to his Country; and, in short, if any oneof you, or all of you, shall dare to say any thing disrespectful of_Teutath_, I'll defend its Cause to the last Drop of my Blood. TheQuarrel grew warmer and warmer, and _Setoc_ expected that the Tablewould be overset, and that Blood-shed would ensue. _Zadig_, whohadn't once open'd his Lips during the whole Controversy, at lastrose up, and address'd himself to the _Celt_, in the first Place, asbeing the most noisy and outrageous. Sir, said he, Your Notions inthis Affair are very just: Good Sir, oblige me with a Bit of yourMisletoe. Then turning about, he expatiated on the Eloquence of the_Grecian_, and in a Word, soften'd in the most artful Manner all thecontending Parties. He said but little indeed to the _Cathayian_;because he was more cool, and sedate than any of the others. Toconclude, he address'd them all in general Terms, to this or thelike Effect: My dear Friends, You have been contesting all thiswhile about an important Topick, in which 'tis evident, you are allunanimously agreed. Agreed, quotha! they all cried, in an angryTone, How so, pray? Why said he to the hot, testy _Celt_, is it nottrue, that you do not in effect adore this Misletoe, but that Beingwho created that Misletoe and the Oak, to which it is so closelyunited? Doubtless, Sir, reply'd the _Celt_. And you, Sir, said he, to the _Egyptian_, You revere, thro' your venerable _Apis_, thegreat Author of every Ox's Being. We do so, said the _Egyptian_. Themighty _Oannés_, tho' the Sovereign of the Sea, continued he, mustgive Precedence to that Power, who made both the Sea, and every Fishthat dwells therein. We allow it, said the _Chaldean_. The _Indian_, adds he, and the _Cathayan_, acknowledge one supreme Being, or firstCause, as well as you. As to what that profound worthy Gentleman the_Grecian_ has advanc'd, is, I must own, a little above my weakComprehension, but I am fully persuaded, that he will allow there isa supreme Being on whom his favourite Matter and Form are entirelydependent. The _Grecian_, who was look'd upon as a Sage amongstthem, said, with Abundance of Gravity, that _Zadig_, had made a veryjust Construction of his Meaning. Now, Gentlemen, I appeal to youall, said _Zadig_, whether you are not unanimous to a Man, in theDebate upon the Carpet, and whether there are any just Grounds forthe least Divisions or Animosities amongst you. The whole Company, cool at once, caress'd him; and _Setoc_, after he had sold off allhis Goods and Merchandize at a round Price, took his Friend _Zadig_Home with him to the Land of _Horeb_. _Zadig_, upon his firstArrival was inform'd, that a Prosecution had been carried on againsthim during his Absence, and that the Sentence pronounc'd against himwas, that he should be burnt alive before a slow Fire. 

CHAP. XII. 

_The_ RENDEZVOUS. 

Whilst _Zadig_ attended his Friend _Setoc_ to _Balzora_, the Priestsof the Stars were determin'd to punish him. As all the costlyJewels, and other valuable Decorations, in which every young Widowthat sacrificed her self on her Husband's Funeral-pile, were theircustomary Fees, 'tis no great Wonder, indeed, that they wereinclin'd to burn poor _Zadig_, for playing them such a scurvy Trick. _Zadig_ therefore, was accus'd of holding heretical and damnableTenets, in regard to the Celestial Host: They depos'd, and sworepoint-blank, that he had been heard to aver, that the Stars neversat in the Sea. This horrid blasphemous Declaration thunder-struckall the Judges, and they were ready to rend their Mantles at theSound of such an impious Assertion; and they would have made_Zadig_, had he been a Man of Substance, paid very severely for hisheretical Notions. But in the Height of their Pity and Compassionfor even such an Infidel, they would lay no Fine upon him; butcontent themselves with seeing him roasted alive before a slow Fire. _Setoc_, tho' without Hopes of Success, us'd all the Interest he hadto save his bosom Friend from so shocking a Death; but they turn'd adeaf Ear to all his Remonstrances, and oblig'd him to hold hisTongue. The young Widow _Almona_, who by this Time was not onlyreconcil'd to living a little longer, but had some Taste for thePleasures of Life, and knew that she was entirely indebted to_Zadig_ for it, resolv'd, if possible, to free her Benefactor frombeing burnt, as he had before convinc'd her of the Folly of it inher Case. She ponder'd upon this weighty Affair very seriously; butsaid nothing to any one whomsoever. _Zadig_ was to be executed thenext Day; and she had only a few Hours left to carry her Projectinto Execution. Now the Reader shall hear with how much Benevolenceand Discretion this amiable Widow behav'd on this emergent Occasion. 

In the first Place, she made use of the most costly Perfumes; anddrest herself to the utmost Advantage to render her Charms asconspicuous as possible; And thus gaily attir'd, demanded a privateAudience of the High Priest of the Stars. Upon her first Admittanceinto his august and venerable Presence, she address'd herself in thefollowing Terms. O thou first-born and well-beloved Son of the GreatBear, Brother of the Bull, and first Cousin to the Dog, (these youmust know were the Pontiff's high Titles) I come to confess myselfbefore you: My Conscience is my Accuser, and I am terribly afraid Ihave been guilty of a mortal Sin, by declining the stated Custom ofburning my self on my Husband's Funeral-pile? What could tempt me, in short, to a Prolongation of my Life, I can't imagine, I, who amgrown a perfect Skeleton, all wrinkled and deform'd. She paus'd, andpulling off, with a negligent but artful Air, her long silk Gloves;She display'd a soft, plump, naked Arm, and white as Snow: You see, Sir, said she, that all my Charms are blasted. Blasted, Madam, saidthe luscious Pontiff; No! Your Charms are still resistless: HisEyes, and his Mouth, with which he kiss'd her Hand, confirm'd theirPower: Such an Arm, Madam, by the Great _Orasmades_, I never sawbefore. Alas! said the Widow, with a modest Blush; my Arm Sir, 'tisprobable, may have the Advantage of any hidden Part; but see, goodFather, what a Neck is here; as yellow as Saffron, an Object notworth regarding. Then she display'd such a snowy, panting Bosom, that Nature could not mend it. A Rose-Bud on an Ivory Apple, would, if set in Competition with her spotless Whiteness, make no betterAppearance than common Madder upon a Shrub; and the whitest Wool, just out of the Laver, were she but by, would seem but of alight-brown Hue. 

Her Neck, her large black, sparkling Eyes, that languishinglyroll'd, and seem'd as 'twere, on Fire; her lovely Cheeks, glowingwith White and Red, her Nose, that was not unlike the Tower of Mount_Lebanon_, her Lips, which were like two Borders of Coral, inclosingtwo Rows of the best Pearls in the _Arabian_ Sea; such aCombination, I say, of Charms, made the old Pontiff judge she wasscarce twenty Years of Age; and in a kind of Flutter, to make her aDeclaration of his tender Regard for her. _Almona_, perceiving himenamour'd, begg'd his Interest in Favour of _Zadig_. Alas! my dearCharmer, my Interest alone, when you request the Favour, would bebut a poor Compliment; I'll take care his Acquittance shall besigned by three more of my Brother Priests. Do you sign first, however, said _Almona_. With all my Soul, said the amorous Pontiff, provided----you'll be kind, my dearest. You do me too much Honour, said _Almona_; but should you give your self the Trouble to pay me aVisit after Sunset, and as soon as the Star _Sheat_ twinkles on theHorizon, you shall find me, most venerable Father, repos'd upon arosy-colour'd silver Sopha, where you shall use your Pleasure withyour humble Servant. With that she made him a low Courtesy; took up_Zadig's_ general Release as soon as duely sign'd, and left the oldDoatard all over Love, tho' somewhat diffident of his own Abilities. The Residue of the Day he spent in his Bagnio; he drank largeenlivening Draughts of a Water distill'd from the Cinnamon of_Ceilan_, and the costly Spices of _Tidor_ and _Ternate_, and waitedwith the utmost Impatience for the up-rising of the brilliant_Sheat_. 

In the mean time _Almona_ went to the second Pontiff. He assur'd herthat the Sun, Moon, and all the starry Host of Heav'n, were butlanguid Fires to her bright Eyes. He put the Question to her, inshort, at once, and agreed to sign upon her Compliance. She suffer'dherself to be over-persuaded, and made an Assignation to meet him ata certain Place, as soon as the Star _Algenib_ should make itsAppearance. From him she repair'd to the third and fourth Pontiff, taking care, wherever she went, to see _Zadig's_ Acquittance duelysign'd, and made fresh Appointments at the Rising of Star afterStar. 

When she had carried her Point thus far, she sent a proper Messageto the Judges of the Court, who had condemn'd _Zadig_, requestingthat they would come to her House, that she might advise with themupon an Affair of the last Importance. They waited on heraccordingly; she produc'd _Zadig's_ Discharge duly sign'd by fourseveral Hands, and told them the Definitive Treaty between all thecontracting Parties. Each of the pontifical Gallants observ'd theirSummons to a Moment. Each was startled at the Sight of his Rival;but perfectly thunderstruck to see the Judges, before whom the Widowhad laid open her Case. _Zadig_ procur'd an absolute Pardon, and_Setoc_ was so charm'd with the artful Address of _Almona_, that hemarried her the next Day. _Zadig_ went afterwards to throw himselfat the Feet of his fair Benefactress. _Setoc_ and he took theirLeave of each other with Tears in their Eyes, and vowing that aneternal mutual Friendship should be preserv'd between them; and, inshort, should Fortune at any Time afterwards prove more propitiousthan could well be expected to either Party; the other shouldpartake of an equal Share of his Success. 

_Zadig_ steer'd his Course towards _Syria_; forever pondering on thehard Fate of the justly-admir'd _Astarte_, and reflecting on his ownStars that so obstinately darted down their malignant Rays, andcontinu'd daily to torment him. What, said he! to pay four hundredOunces of Gold for only seeing a Bitch pass by me; to be condemn'dto be beheaded for four witless Verses in Praise of the King; to bestrangled to Death, because a Queen was pleas'd to look upon me; tobe made a Prisoner, and sold as a Slave for saving a young Lady frombeing sorely abus'd by a Brute rather than a Man; and to be upon theBrink of being roasted alive, for no other Offence than saving forthe future all the Widows in _Arabia_ from becoming idleBurnt-Offerings, and mingling their Ashes with those of theirdeceased worthless Husbands. 

CHAP. XIII. 

_The_ FREE-BOOTER. 

_Zadig_, arriving at the Frontiers which separate _Arabia Petræa_from _Syria_, and passing by a very strong Castle, several arm'd_Arabians_ rush'd out upon him, and surrounding him, cried out:Whatever you have belonging to you is our Property, but as for yourPerson, that is entirely at our Sovereign's Disposal. _Zadig_, instead of making any Reply, drew his Sword, and as his Attendantwas a very couragious Fellow, he drew likewise. Those who laid holdon them, first fell a Sacrifice to their Fury: Their Numbersredoubled: Yet still, Both dauntless, determin'd to conquer or todie. When two Men defend themselves against a whole Gang, theContest, doubtless, cannot last long. The Master of the Castle, one_Arbogad_ by Name, having been an Eye-Witness from his Window, ofthe Intrepidity and surprising Exploits of _Zadig_, took a Fancy tohim. He ran down therefore in Haste, and giving Orders himself tohis Vassals to desist, deliver'd the two Travellers out of theirHands. Whatever Goods or Chattels, said he, come upon myTerritories, are my Effects; and whatever I find likewise that isvaluable upon the Premises of others, is my free Booty; but, as youappear, Sir, to me to be a Gentleman of uncommon Courage, you shallprove an Exception to my general Rule. Upon this, he invited _Zadig_into his magnificent Mansion, giving his inferior Officers strictOrders to use him with all due Respect; and at Night _Arbogad_ wasdesirous of supping with _Zadig_. The Lord of the Mansion was one ofthose _Arabians_, that are call'd _Free-booters_; but a Man who nowand then did good Actions amongst a Thousand bad ones. He plunder'dwithout Mercy; but was liberal in his Benefactions. When in Action, intrepid; but in Traffick, easy enough; a perfect _Epicure_ in hisEating and Drinking, an absolute _Debauchee_, but very frank andopen. _Zadig_ pleas'd him extremely; his Conversation being verylively, prolong'd their Repast: At last, _Arbogad_ said to him; Iwould advise you, Sir, to enlist yourself in my Troop; you cannotpossibly do a better Thing: My Profession is none of the worst; andin Time, you may become perhaps as great a Man as myself. May Ipresume, Sir, to ask you one Question; how long may you havefollow'd this honourable Calling? From my Youth upwards, replied hisHost, I was only a _Valet_ at first to an _Arabian_, who indeed wascourteous enough; but Servitude was a State of Life I could notbrook. It made me stark-mad to see, in a wide World, which ought tobe divided fairly between Mankind, that Fate had reserv'd for me soscanty a Portion. I communicated my Grievance to an old Sage_Arabian_. Son, said he, never despair; once upon a Time, there wasa Grain of Sand, that bemoan'd itself, as being nothing more than aworthless _Atom_ of the Deserts. At the Expiration, however, of afew Years, it became that inestimable Diamond, which at this veryHour, is the richest, and most admir'd Ornament of the _Indian_Crown. The old Man's Discourse fir'd me with some Ambition; I wasconscious to myself that I was at that Time the _Atom_ he mention'd, but was determin'd, if possible, to become the _Diamond_. At myfirst setting out, I stole two Horses; then I got into a Gang; wherewe play'd at small Game, and stopp'd the small Caravans; thus Igradually lessen'd the wide Disproportion, which there was at firstbetween me and the rest of Mankind: I enjoy'd not only my full Shareof the good Things of this Life, but enjoy'd them with Usury. I waslook'd upon as a Man of Consequence, and I procur'd this Castle bymy military Atchievements. The _Satrap_ of _Syria_ had Thoughts ofdispossessing me; but I was then too rich to be any Ways afraid ofhim; I gave the _Satrap_ a certain Sum of Money, upon Condition thatI kept quiet Possession of my Castle. And, moreover, I aggrandiz'dmy Domains; for he constituted me, at the same Time, Treasurer ofthe Imports that _Arabia Petræa_ paid to the King of Kings. Iexecuted my Trust, in every Respect, as I ought, in the Capacity ofa Collector; but I never did, nor never intended to balance myAccounts. 

The grand _Desterham_ of _Babylon_ sent hither, in the Name of theKing _Moabdar_, a petty _Satrap_, with a Commission to strangle me. He and his Attendants arriv'd here with his Royal Warrant. I wasappriz'd of the whole Affair, and, accordingly, order'd his wholeRetinue, consisting of four inferior Officers, to be strangledbefore his Face, after the same Manner as was intended for myExecution. After this, I ask'd him what he thought the Commissionwith which he was entrusted, might reasonably be valued at; heanswer'd, that he presum'd his Premium (had he succeeded) might haveamounted to about three Hundred Pieces of Gold. I made him sensible, that it would be for his Interest to be a commission'd Officer underme; I made him accordingly Deputy _Free-booter_. He is at this veryDay not only the best Officer, but the richest I have in all myCourt. If my Word may be credited, I'll raise your Fortune as I havedone his. Never was Trade brisker in our Way; for _Moabdar_, isknock'd on the Head, and all _Babylon_ in the utmost Confusion. _Moabdar_ kill'd, said you! cry'd _Zadig_, and pray, Sir, what isbecome of his Royal Consort, _Astarte_? I know nothing at all ofthat Affair, replied _Arbogad_, all that I have to say, is, that_Moabdar_ became a perfect Madman, and had his Brains beat out; thatall the People in _Babylon_ are cutting one another's Throats, andthat the whole Empire is laid waste; that there is still anOpportunity for making several bold Pushes; and let me tell you, Sir, I have done my Part, and made the most on't. But the Queen, Sir, said _Zadig_; pray favour me so far, as to inform me, if youknow any Thing of the Queen. I have heard great Talk, said he, of acertain Prince of _Hyrcania_; 'tis very possible, she may havelisted herself amongst his Concubines, if she had the good Fortuneto escape the Resentment of those popular Tumults; but my Head, Sir, is better turn'd for the Highway than for News; I have taken severalLadies Prisoners in the Course of my Excursions; I keep none of themfor my Part; and as to such as are handsomer than ordinary, I makethe best Market I can of them, without enquiring who they are. TheirQuality or Titles will fetch no Price at all; a Queen, if she behomely, is worth nothing. 'Tis probable, Sir, I have dispos'd of theLady myself; and 'tis possible, likewise, she may be dead; 'tis noConcern of mine; and to my thinking, it should be an Affair of noManner of Importance to you. After this Declaration, he drank sohard, and confounded his Ideas in such a Manner, that _Zadig_ wasnot one whit the wiser. Upon which he was struck dumb, confounded, and stood as motionless as a Statue. _Arbogad_, in the mean while, swill'd down whole Bumpers, told a Hundred merry Tales, and swore athousand Times over, that he was the happiest Creature upon God'sEarth; persuading _Zadig_ to be as merry, and thoughtless ashimself. At last, being gradually overcome by the Fumes of hisLiquor, he fell fast asleep. _Zadig_ spent the Remainder of theNight in deep Contemplation, and in all the Uneasiness of Mindimaginable. What, said he, the King first became crazy, and then wasmurder'd. I think I have just Grounds for Complaint. The wholeEmpire is in Confusion, and torn to Pieces, and this Free-booter isas happy as a King. O Fortune! O Fate! a Highwayman as happy as aMonarch! and the most amiable Creature that Nature ever fram'd hassuffer'd perhaps, an ignominious Death, or perhaps, is in a State ofLife a thousand Times worse than Death itself! O _Astarte! Astarte!_What art thou become?

As soon as it was Break of Day he went out, and ask'd every one hesaw if they knew any Thing of her: But the whole Gang were toointent upon other Matters, to return him any Answer. By Virtue oftheir Night's Excursions, they had brought in some fresh Booty, andwere busy in dividing the Spoil. All the Favour he could procure, intheir Hurry and Tumult, was, to go away without the leastExamination. He took the Advantage of their Remissness, and mov'doff the Premises, but more overwhelm'd with Grief and deepReflection than ever. 

_Zadig_, in his March, was very restless and uneasy. His Thoughtswere forever rolling on the unfortunate _Astarte_, the King of_Babylon_, his Bosom-Friend _Cador_, the happy _Free-booter_, _Arbogad_, the fair _Coquet_, that was taken Prisoner on theConfines of _Egypt_, by the _Babylonish_ Courier; in a Word, on thevarious Scenes of Misfortunes and Disappointments, which he hadsuccessively met with. 

CHAP. XIV. 

_The_ FISHERMAN. 

When _Zadig_ had travelled some few Leagues from _Arbogad's_ Castle, he found himself arriv'd at the Banks of a little River; incessantlydeploring, as he went along, his unhappy Fate, and looking uponhimself as the very Picture of ill Luck. He perceiv'd at a littleDistance a Fisherman, reclin'd on a verdant Bank by the River-side, trembling, scarce able to hold his Net in his Hand, (which he seem'dbut little to regard) and with uplift Eyes, imploring Heaven'sAssistance. I am, doubtless, said the poor Fisherman, the mostunhappy Wretch that ever liv'd! No Merchant in all _Babylon_, it isvery well known, was ever so noted for selling Cream-Cheeses asmyself; and yet I am ruin'd to all Intents and Purposes. No Man ofmy Profession ever had a handsomer, more compleat Housewife, than myDame was; but I have been treacherously depriv'd of her. I had stillleft a poor, pitiful Cottage, but that I saw plunder'd anddestroy'd. I am cubb'd up here in a Cell; I have nothing to dependupon but my Fishery, and not one single Fish have I caught. Thouunfortunate Net! I'll never throw thee into the Water more: Muchsooner will I throw myself in. No sooner were the Words out of hisMouth, but he started up, and ran to the River-side, like one thatwas resolutely bent to plunge in, and get rid of a miserable Life atonce. Is it possible, said _Zadig_? Is there then the Man in Beingmore wretched than myself? His Benevolence, and good Will to savethe poor Man's Life, was as quick as the Reflection he had justmade! He ran to his Assistance; he laid hold of him; and ask'd him, with an Air of Pity and Concern, the Cause of his rash Intention. 'Tis an old saying, that a Person is less unhappy when he seeshimself not singular in Misfortune. But if we will credit_Zoroaster_, this is not from a Principle of Malignity, but theEffect of a fatal Necessity. He was attracted, as it were, to anyPerson in Distress, as being One in the same unhappy Circumstances. The Transport of a happy Man, would be a Kind of Insult; but twoPersons in bad Circumstances, are like two weak Shrubs, which, bypropping up each other, are fenc'd against a Storm. Why are you thuscast down, said _Zadig_ to the Fisherman? Never sink Man, under theWeight of your Burden. I can't help it, said the poor Fisherman; Ihave not the least Prospect of Redress. I was once, Sir, the tip-topMan of the whole Village of _Derlbach_, near _Babylon_, where Iliv'd, and with the Help of my Wife, made the best Cream-Cheesesthat were ever eaten in the _Persian_ Empire. Her Majesty, the Queen_Astarte_, and the famous Prime-Minister _Zadig_ were very fond ofthem. I serv'd the Court with about six Hundred of them, I went theother Day in Hopes of being paid; but before I had well got into theSuburbs of _Babylon_, I was inform'd, that not only the Queen, but_Zadig_ too had privately left the Court: Whereupon I ran directlyto _Zadig's_ House, tho' I never sat Eye on the Man in all my Life. There I found the Court-Marshals of the grand _Desterham_, plundering, by Virtue of his Majesty's Mandate, all his Effects, inthe most loyal Manner. From thence I made the best of my Way to theQueen's Kitchin; where, applying my self to the Steward of herHousehold, and his inferior Officers; one of them told me she wasdead; another, that she was confin'd in Prison; a third, indeed, said that she had made her Escape by Flight; all in general, however, assur'd me for my Comfort, that my Cheeses would never bepaid for. From thence I went, with my Wife in my Hand, to Lord_Orcan's_; who was another of my Court-Customers; of whom we begg'dfor Shelter and Protection: The Favour, I confess, was readilygranted to my Wife; but as for my own Part, I was absolutelyrejected. She was fairer, Sir, than the fairest Cheese I ever sold;from whence I date all my Misfortunes; and the red that adorn'd herblushing Cheeks was ten Times more lively than any _Tyrian_ Scarlet. And between you and I, Sir, that was the main Cause of my Wife'sReception, and my Disgrace. Whereupon I wrote a doleful Letter to myWife, in all the Agonies of one in the deepest Despair: 'Tis verywell, said she, to the Messenger; I have some little Knowledge ofthe Man; I have heard say no one sells better Cream-Cheeses than hedoes; desire him, next Time he comes, to bring a small Parcel withhim, and let him know, I'll take care he shall be punctually paid. 

In the Height of my Misfortunes, I determin'd to seek Redress in aCourt of Equity: I had but six Ounces of Gold left: Two whereof wentfor a Fee to my Counsellor; two to my Lawyer, who took my Cause inHand, and the other two to the Judge's Clerk. Notwithstanding what Ihad done, my Cause was not so much as commenc'd; and I had alreadydisburs'd more Money than all my Cheeses and my Wife with them wereworth. I return'd therefore to my Native Habitation, with a fullResolution to sell it for the Ransom of my Wife. 

My little Cot, with the Appurtenances, were worth about threescoreOunces of Gold: But as the Purchasers found I was necessitous, anddrove to my last Shifts; the first whom I apply'd to, offer'd methirty Ounces; the second, twenty; and the third, but ten: Just as Ihad come to Terms of Accommodation with one of them, the Prince of_Hyrcania_ came to _Babylon_, and swept all before him. My littleCottage, with all its Furniture, was first plunder'd of all that wasvaluable, and at last reduc'd to Ashes. 

Having thus lost my Money, my Wife, and my House, I withdrew to thisDesart, where you see me. I have since endeavour'd to get my Breadby Fishing; but the Fish, as well as all Mankind, desert me. Iscarce catch one in a Day; I am half starv'd; and had it not beenfor your unexpected Benevolence and Generosity, I had been at theBottom of the River before this. 

This long Detail of Particulars, however, was not deliver'd withoutseveral Interruptions; for, said _Zadig_, with Abundance of Warmthand Confusion, Have you never heard, Sir, of what is become of theQueen _Astarte_? No Sir, not I, said the disconsolate Fisherman; butthis I know, to my Sorrow, that neither the Queen, nor _Zadig_, everpaid me the least Consideration in the World for my Cream Cheeses;that my dear Spouse is taken from me; and that I am drove to thevery Brink of Despair. I am verily persuaded, said _Zadig_, that youwill not lose all your Money. I have heard much talk of that same_Zadig_; they say he is very honest, and that if ever he returns to_Babylon_, as 'tis to be hop'd he will, he'll discharge his Debtswith Interest, like a Man of Honour. But, as for your Wife, whoappears to me, to be no better than a Wag-tail, never take theTrouble, if you'll take my Advice, to hunt after her any more. Berul'd, and make the best of your Way to _Babylon_. I shall be therebefore you, as I shall ride, and you will be on Foot. Make yourApplications to the illustrious _Cador_; tell him you met his Friendupon the Road; and stay there still I come. Observe my Orders, and'tis very probable it may turn out to your Advantage. 

O puissant _Orosmades_, continu'd he, you have made me, 'tis true, an Instrument of Comfort to this poor Man; but what Friend will youraise for me, to alleviate my Sorrows? Having utter'd this shortExpostulation, he gave the distrest Fisherman one full Moiety of allthe Money he brought with him out of _Arabia_. The Fisherman, thunder-struck, and transported with Joy at so unexpected aBenefaction, kiss'd the Feet of _Cador's_ Friend, and cried out, sure you are a Messenger of Heaven, sent down to be my Saviour!

In the mean Time, _Zadig_ every now and then ask'd him Questions, and wept as he ask'd them. What! Sir, said the Fisherman, can you, who are so bountiful a Benefactor, be in Distress yourself? Alas!said he, Friend, I am a hundred Times more unhappy than thou art. But pray, Sir, said the good Man, how can it possibly be, that he, who is so lavish of his Favours, should be overwhelm'd with greaterMisfortunes than the Man he so generously relieves? Your greatestUneasiness, said he, arose from the Narrowness of your Circumstances;but mine proceeds from an internal, and much deeper Cause. Pray, Sir, said the Fisherman, has _Orcan_ robb'd you of your Wife? ThisInterrogatory put _Zadig_ in a Moment upon a Retrospection of all hispast Adventures. He recollected the whole Series of his Misfortunes;commencing from that of the Eunuch and the Huntsman, to his Arrivalat the Free-booter's Castle. Alas! said he, to the Fisherman, _Orcan_, 'tis true, deserves severely to be punish'd: But for theGenerality, we find, such worthless Barbarians are the Favourites ofFortune. Be that, however, as it will, go as I bade you, to my Friend_Cador_, and wait there till I come. They took their Leave; theFisherman blessing his propitious Stars, and _Zadig_ cursing, everyStep he went, the Hour he was born. 

CHAP. XV. 

_The_ BASILISK. 

As _Zadig_ was traversing a verdant Meadow, he perceiv'd severalyoung Female _Syrians_, intent on searching for something verycurious, that lay conceal'd, as they imagin'd, in the Grass. He tookthe Freedom to approach one of them, and ask her, in the mostcourteous Manner, if he might have the Honour to assist her in herResearches. Have a care, said she. What we are hunting after, Sir, is an Animal, that will not suffer itself to be touch'd by a Man. 'Tis somewhat surprizing, said _Zadig_. May I be so bold, pray, asto ask you what you are in Pursuit after, that shuns the Touch ofany Thing but the Hands of the Fair Sex. 'Tis, Sir, said she, the_Basilisk_: A _Basilisk_, Madam, said he! And pray, if you will beso good as to inform me, with what View, are you searching after aCreature so very difficult to be met with? 'Tis, Sir, said she, forour Lord and Master _Ogul_, whose Castle, you see, situate on theRiver-side, at the Bottom of the Meadow. We are all his Vassals. _Ogul_, you must know, is in a very bad State of Health, and hisfirst Physician has order'd him, as a Specific, to eat a _Basilisk_, boil'd in Rose water: And as that Animal is very hard to be catch'd, and will suffer nothing to approach it, but one of our Sex, ourdying Sovereign _Ogul_ has promis'd to honour her, that shall be sohappy as to catch it for him, so far as to make her his Consort. TheCase, being thus circumstantiated, Sir, I hope you will notinterrupt me any longer, lest my Rivals here in the Field shouldhappen to circumvent me. 

_Zadig_ withdrew, and left the _Syrian_ Ladies in Quest of theirimaginary Booty, in order to pursue his intended Journey. But as hecame to the Banks of a Rivulet, at the remotest part of the Meadow, he perceiv'd another young Lady, reclin'd on the Grass, and entirelydisengag'd. Her Stature seem'd majestic, but her Face was cover'dwith a Vail; and her Eyes were fixt, as one at her Looking-glass, onthe River. Every now and then a Sigh burst out, as if her Heart werebreaking. In her Hand she held a little Wand or Rod, with which shewas tracing out some Characters on the dry Sand, that lay betweenthe flow'ry Bank she sat on, and the purling Current. _Zadig's_Curiosity induc'd him, unperceiv'd, to observe her Operations atsome Distance. But approaching nearer, and perceiving verydistinctly the first Character to be an _Z_. The next an _A_. Andthe third a _D_. He started; but when he saw the additional Capitalsof _I_ and _G_. His Astonishment was too great for Words to express. He stood for some Time perfectly thunder-struck, and as motionlessas a Statue; At last, in a soft, faultring Tone, he broke Silence: Ogenerous Lady, said he, forgive a Stranger, one overwhelm'd withSorrows like yourself, if he asks you, by what amazing Accident hefinds the Name of _Zadig_ delineated by so angelick a Hand. Thusunexpectedly interrupted, and at the Sound of those Words, sheturn'd her Head; and with a trembling Hand, lifting up her Vail, sheespy'd _Zadig_ himself. Upon which, she shriek'd; and as her Heartwas flutter'd between the two Extreams of Transport and Surprize, she fainted away, and gently dropp'd into his Arms. 'Twas, it seems_Astarte_ her self; 'twas the Queen of _Babylon_; 'twas the very_Goddess_ whom _Zadig_ ador'd; 'twas, in short, the very identicalLady, whose hard Fate he had so long deplor'd; and for whose sake hehad felt so many agonizing Pains. For a few Minutes he stoodspeechless, and depriv'd, as it were, of all his senses, whilst hisEyes were fixt on his _Astarte_, who began to revive; and cast awishful Glance at him, attended with some Confusion. O ye immortalPowers, cried he, who preside over the Destiny of us frail Mortals!Ye have restor'd me my _Astarte_; but alas! at what a Conjuncture, in what a Place, and in what a State and Condition do I view her? Hethrew himself prostrate on the Ground, and kiss'd the Dust of herFeet. The Queen of _Babylon_ rais'd him up, and oblig'd him to sitby her on the flow'ry Bank whereon she was repos'd. Every now andthen she wip'd her Eyes, as the Tears trickl'd down afresh herlovely Cheeks. Twenty times she endeavour'd to renew her Discourse;but was interrupted by her Sighs; she ask'd him over and over torelate to her the Hardships he had ran thro' since their parting, and by what Chance he came to traverse that solitary Meadow; butprevented him at the same Time from returning any Answer, byrepeating Question upon Question. At last, she gave him a particularDetail of her own Misfortunes, and again requested to know his. Bothof them, in short, having, in some Measure, appeas'd the Tumult oftheir Souls; _Zadig_, in a few Words, inform'd her of the Motivesthat brought him thither. 

But tell me, O unfortunate, tho' ever-venerable Queen, how I came tofind you out, reclining on this verdant Bank, dress'd in thisservile Habit, accompanied by other Female Slaves, who, I find, havebeen all Day long in Quest after a _Basilisk_, which, as Iunderstand, is by Order of a celebrated Physician, to be dissolv'din Rose-water, as a specific Medicine for his dying Patient. 

Whilst they busy in their fruitless Search, said the beauteous_Astarte_, I'll tell you the whole Series of Sorrows which I haveundergone since last we parted; and since Heav'n has thusunexpectedly blest my Eyes once more with the Sight of my dear_Zadig_, I'll no longer exclaim against my impropitious Stars. 

You are not insensible, that the jealous King my Spouse, wasdisgusted to find you the most amiable of all Mortals, and that forno other Reason he determin'd to strangle you, and poison me. Youknow very well too, that indulgent Heav'n inspir'd, as it were, mylittle Dwarf, with artful Means to give me timely Notice of the rashResolutions of the King, my cruel Husband. 

No sooner had the faithful _Cador_ oblig'd you to obey my Orders, andto fly the Court, but he ventur'd to enter my Apartment in the Deadof Night thro' a private Door. He snatch'd me up, and convey'd medirectly into the Temple of _Orosmades_, where the holy _Magus_, whowas his Brother, lock'd me up in that august and awful Statue, thatstands erect upon the Pavement of the Temple, and _Colossus_-like, touches the lofty Ceiling with his Head. There I lay conceal'd, orrather buried for some Time; tho' taken all imaginable Care of, andfurnish'd with all the Necessaries of Life by that venerable, andloyal Priest. In the mean Time, his Apothecary enter'd at Break ofDay into my Apartment, with a Potion in his Hand, compos'd of Opium, black Hellebore, Aconite, and other Ingredients still more baneful. Whilst this mercenary Officer of the King's Vengeance was thusemploy'd, another as inhuman as himself, went to your Lodgings withthe silken Cord. Both, however, were disappointed, as both of uswere fled. _Cador_, very officious, flew to the King, in order themore artfully to blind him; and in a feign'd Passion, rail'd at usboth, and charg'd us both as perfidious Traitors. As for thatVillain _Zadig_, said he, he has taken his Flight towards _India_;and your false, ungrateful Consort, Sire, said he, is fled to_Memphis_. The Guards were order'd that Moment to pursue us both. 

The Couriers, who flew after me, knew nothing of me. I had neverexpos'd my Face unveil'd to any one but your self, and that too inthe Presence, and by the express Order of my Royal Master. As theyhad no other Marks to distinguish me from others but my Stature, asit had been describ'd, a young Lady, just of my Size, but in allProbability much more handsome, presented herself to their View, onthe Frontiers of _Egypt_. She was found alone, and in a verydisconsolate Condition. This Lady must, doubtless, said they tothemselves, be the Queen of _Babylon_: And without listning to herComplaints, convey'd her instantly to my Husband _Moabdar_. Theirgross Blunder at first incens'd his Majesty to the last Degree; butafter he had view'd the Lady with an attentive Eye, he found she wasextremely pretty, and was soon pacify'd. Her Name was _Missouf_. Ihave been since inform'd, that her Name in the _Egyptian_ Languagesignifies the _Fair Coquet_. And in Effect, she was so: She had asmuch Art, however, as Caprice. For she pleas'd the King of Kings: Inshort, she had such an Ascendancy over him, that he didn't scruplein publick to own her as his Wife. When she had secur'd him thus farin her Toils, she never conceal'd her Power, but play'd the Part ofa perfect Humourist. She indulg'd herself in every Whim that came inher Head, without Fear of being brow-beat. In the first Place, Sheinsisted that the Chief Magus, who was old and gouty, should dance aSaraband before her; and upon his modest Refusal to comply with sopreposterous a Request, she persecuted him without Mercy: Nothingwould serve her Turn, in the next Place, but his Majesty's grandMaster of the Horse must make her a Minc'd-pye. The Gentleman tookthe Liberty to let her know, that he was no profess'd Cook; a Tart, however, he must make for her, and she got him turn'd out of hisPlace for being so monstrously careless, as to burn one _Corner_ ofthe Crust. Whereupon she gave his Post to her favourite Dwarf, andmade her Fop of a Page the Keeper of his Majesty's great Seal, andConfidence. Thus she reign'd arbitrary, and was the Female Tyrant of_Babylon_. All the World deplor'd the Loss of me their former Queen. The King, who never acted the Part of a Tyrant, till the Moment hewould have imprison'd me, and strangled you, seem'd to have drown'dall his good Qualities in his Dotage on that capricious Enchantress. He came to the Temple on the solemn Festival of the sacred Fire. Isaw him prostrate on the Pavement before the Statue, wherein I wasenclos'd, imploring the Gods to show'r down their choicest Blessingson his beauteous _Missouf_. I, with an audible and distinct, buthollow Tone, address'd my self thus, like an Oracle, to the King ofKings. _The Gods reject the Vows of a Monarch, that acts the Tyranto'er his Subjects; One, who could think of murdering an innocentWife; and admit of a worthless Beauty to supply her Place. __Moabdar_ was so startled at this unexpected Answer from the God heador'd, that he was just at the Point of Distraction. The Oraclethat I had deliver'd, and the tyrannical Proceedings of his newSpouse _Missouf_, were enough to deprive him of his Senses. Inshort, in a few Days he became a perfect Mad-man. Her Caprice, whichseem'd a Judgement from above, portended a sudden Revolution. HisSubjects accordingly revolted, and were instantly up in Arms. _Babylon_, that had so long indulg'd herself in Indolence and Ease, became the Seat, or Theatre of a bloody Civil War. Whereupon I wastaken from my magnificent Prison, the Bowels of his God, and set upat the Head of a very powerful Party. Your Friend _Cador_ flew to_Memphis_ in hopes to find you there, and bring you back to_Babylon_. The Prince of _Hyrcania_, hearing of these intestineBroils, return'd with a powerful Army, in order to form a thirdParty, among the _Babylonians_. He attack'd the King, who fled withhis fair, but fickle _Egyptian_ before him. _Moabdar_, however, wasso closely pursu'd, that he dy'd of the Wounds he receiv'd in hisRetreat. _Missouf_ became the fair Victim of the Conqueror. As formy own Part, I had the Misfortune to be over-power'd likewise, andtaken Prisoner by an _Hyrcanian Party_, who brought me into thePresence of the young Prince, at the very Juncture when _Missouf_stood before him. You'll smile, doubtless, when I tell you thePrince look'd upon me as the most amiable Captive of the two; butthen, I presume you will be sorry to hear, that my hard Fate doom'dme to be a Vassal in his Seraglio. He told me, in direct Terms, thatas soon as he had put an happy Issue to one Military Expedition, which would not, he flatter'd himself, be long unexecuted, he wouldhonour me with a Visit. Judge the dreadful Apprehensions I wasunder, upon his making such a peremptory Declaration. My Obligationsto _Moabdar_ were all cancell'd, and I was free to be the Bride of_Zadig_; but instead of that, I fell into the Toils of a_Barbarian_. I answer'd him with all the Resentment becoming one ofmy high Character and unspotted Virtue. I had always heard say, thatHeav'n bestow'd on Persons of my Rank, such a peculiar Mark ofMajesty and Grandeur, that with a bare Word, or the Glance of anangry Eye, they could bring down, and abase the Pride of thoseaudacious Creatures that durst to thwart their Inclinations. Italk'd as big as a Queen; but I was treated like the most servileDomestic. The saucy _Hyrcanian_, without so much as vouchsafing meone Single Word, turn'd to his black Eunuch, and told him that I wasvery impertinent; but yet he could not help thinking I was verypretty. He gave him therefore particular Orders to take care of me, and put me under the same Regimen, with respect to my Diet, as oneof his Favourites, in order that I might recover my Colour, whichwas somewhat too languid; in a Word, that I might become worthy in alittle Time of his Royal Favours, and be duely qualified to receivehim, when he should honour me so far as to fix the Day. I told him, I would die first: He replied, with a Sneer, that young Ladies, likeme, seldom kill'd themselves, and that they were made for Enjoyment;and then turn'd upon his Heel, with as careless an Air, as a Manwould part with his Paroquet, when he had shut her up close in hergilded Cage. What a shocking State was I in for the first Queen ofthe Universe! Nay, I'll say more, for a Heart that was whollydevoted to her _Zadig_!

At these endearing Words, _Zadig_ threw himself at her Feet, andbath'd them with his Tears. _Astarte_ immediately rais'd him in themost courteous and engaging Manner, and thus continu'd herNarration. --I too plainly perceiv'd, that I was subject to theTyranny of a _Barbarian_, and the Rival of a Coquet, that was aSlave like myself. She related to me all her past Adventures in_Egypt_. From the Description she gave of her Gallant, the Time andPlace, the Dromedary he was mounted on, and from every other minuteCircumstance, I imagin'd it was your self that play'd the Hero inher Favour. As I made no Doubt but that you resided somewhere in_Memphis_, I determin'd to go thither my self, but in Disguise. Beauteous _Missouf_, said I, you are of a much sprightlierDisposition than I am; you will be able to amuse the gay youngPrince of _Hyrcania_ a thousand Times better than I shall. Find outsome Way therefore for my Escape; by which you will be sole LadyRegent. You will oblige me to the last Degree, by your friendlyAssistance, and at the same Time get rid of a Rival. _Missouf_, (cajol'd with the Hint) came into my Measures directly. She tookcare to send me packing forthwith, with no other Attendant than anold _Egyptian_ Slave. 

No sooner had I reach'd the Borders of _Arabia_, but a notoriousFree-booter, (one _Arbogad_ by Name) pick'd me up, as I wasstrolling along, and sold me to some Merchants, who convey'd me toyonder Castle, the magnificent Residence of the Emir _Ogul_. Hepurchas'd me at all Adventures, without enquiring what, or who Iwas. He is a perfect Debauchee; his sole Delight lies in goodEating, Wine, and Women; and is one, who imagines, that the Almightysent him into the World for no other Purpose but to gratify hisunruly Appetites. He is excessively fat, and puffs and blows everyMoment, like one half choak'd. When he has gorg'd himself sounmercifully that he is ready to burst, his chief Physician canpersuade him to take any Thing for his Relief; tho' he laughs athim, and despises his Advice when he's well and sober. He hasintimated to him, that at present his Life's in Danger, and nothingwill restore him but a _Basilisk_, boil'd in Rose-Water. Whereuponthe grand _Ogul_ has promis'd his last Favours to that Slave, whoever she be, that shall be so fortunate as to catch a _Basilisk_, for him, since it seems they are so seldom to be met with. You see Ihave others to struggle for the Honour propos'd, and I never had aless Inclination to find out this _Basilisk_ than at present, sinceI have once more met with my dearest _Zadig_. 

After this Declaration, _Astarte_ and _Zadig_ renew'd with Warmththe virtuous Affection which they had long conceiv'd for each other;and reciprocally utter'd all the tenderest Expressions that Love inDistress could possibly devise. And the _Genii_, who preside overall the soft Passions, wafted their mutual Vows of eternal Constancyand Truth to the Sphere of _Venus_. 

The whole Train of Slaves, after a long fruitless Search, attendedon _Ogul_, to inform him that all their strictest Search wasfruitless. _Zadig_ desired that he might have the Honour to beintroduc'd into his Presence. Accordingly he was, and his Addresswas to this or the like Effect. May immortal Health descend fromHeaven to preserve a Life, Sir, so precious as yours is. I am aPhysician by Profession. I flew to your Palace, on the first News ofthe dangerous Situation you were in, and have brought a _Basilisk_with me, distill'd in Rose-Water. I can have no Hopes of the Honourof your Bed, in Case I succeed in my Application: All the Favour Irequest, is, the Release of one of your _Babylonish_ Slaves, who hasbeen in your Highness's Retinue for some Time. And I am willing tobe your Bond-slave in her Stead, if I fail of restoring the mostillustrious and magnificent _Ogul_ to his pristine State of Health. 

The Proposition was readily embrac'd. _Astarte_ was instantlydischarg'd, and set out for _Babylon_, with a proper Attendant, according to _Zadig's_ Direction; assuring her that she should hearevery Day, by a special Courier, of his Proceedings with his newPatient. The Farewel which they took of each other, was veryaffectionate and tender, expressive of the strongest Obligations toeach other. The Moments of Meeting, and those of Parting, are (as itis written in the sacred Book of _Zend_) the two most remarkable_Epochas_ of a Lover's Life. _Zadig's_ repeated Protestations ofAffection for the Queen were perfectly sincere, and the pureDictates of his Heart; and the Queen's Love for _Zadig_ had made adeeper Impression on hers, than she thought proper to discover. 

In the mean Time, _Zadig_, again addressing himself to _Ogul_, said;my _Basilisk_, Sir, as others are, is not to be drest or eaten; butall its Virtues must penetrate your whole Fabrick, thro' your Pores;I have inclos'd my never-failing _Sudorific_ in a Bladder, full-blown and carefully cover'd with the softest Leather. You mustkick this Bladder, Sir, once a Day about your Hall for a whole Hourtogether, with all the Vigour and Activity you possibly can. ThisMedicine must be repeated every Morning, and I'll attend theOperation: Upon your due Observance of the Regimen I shall put youunder, I doubt not, but with the Blessing of Heav'n on my honestEndeavours, I shall give you ample Demonstration of my being anAdept in Physick. _Ogul_, upon making the first Experiment, wasready to expire for want of Breath, and thought he should die withthe Fatigue. The second Day did not prove altogether so irksome, andhe slept much better at Night than he had done before. In short, ourDoctor in about eight Days Time, perform'd an absolute Cure. HisPatient was as brisk, active and gay, as One in the Bloom of hisYouth. 

Now, Sir, said _Zadig_, I'll be ingenuous with you, and disclose toyou the important Secret. You have play'd at Foot-ball these eightDays successively; and you have liv'd all that Time, within theBounds of Sobriety and Moderation. Know, Sir, that there is no suchAnimal in Nature as a _Basilisk_; that Health is to be secur'd byTemperance and Exercise; and that the Art of making Healthconsistent with Luxury, is altogether as impracticable, and an Art, in all Respects, as idle and chimerical, as those of thePhilosopher's Stone, judicial Astrology, or any other Reveries ofthe like airy and fantastic Nature. 

_Ogul's_ Head-Physician, apprehensive that this unexpected Cure, thus wrought by a Stranger, through such an Anti-medicinalPreparation, might possibly not only render himself the Object ofContempt in the Eye of his great Master, but cast a Kind of Slur ingeneral on his whole Fraternity, conven'd a Set of petty Doctors andApothecaries, who were his Vassals, and entirely devoted to hisInterest, to find out some sure Ways and Means to cut off in privatehis dreadful Rival; but whilst their wicked Plot was hatching, _Zadig_ receiv'd a Courier from the Queen _Astarte_. 

CHAP. XVI. 

_The_ TOURNAMENTS. 

The Queen was receiv'd at _Babylon_ with all the Transports of Joythat could possibly be express'd for the safe Return of soillustrious and so beautiful a Personage, that had run thro' such along Series of Misfortunes. _Babylon_ at that Time seem'd to beperfectly serene and quiet. As for the young Prince of _Hyrcania_, he was slain in Battle. The _Babylonians_, who were the Victors, declar'd that _Astarte_ should marry that Candidate for the Crown, who should gain it by a fair and impartial Election. They weredetermin'd, that the most valuable Post of Honour in the World, namely, that of being the Royal Consort of _Astarte_, and theSovereign of _Babylon_, should be the Result of Merit only; and notbe procur'd by any Party-Factions or Court-Intrigues. A solemn Oathwas voluntarily taken by all Parties, that he who should distinguishhimself by his superior Valour and Wisdom, should unanimously beacknowledg'd the Sovereign-Elect. 

A spacious _List_, or _Circus_, was pitched upon, surrounded withcommodious Seats, erected in an Amphitheatrical Manner, and richlyembellish'd some few Leagues from the City. Thither the Combatants, or Champions were to repair, compleatly accoutred. Each of them hada distinct Apartment to himself behind the _Lists_, where no Soulcould either see them, or know who they were. They were to enter the_Lists_ four several Times. Those who were so happy as to conquerfour Competitors, were afterwards to engage each other in singleCombat; in order that he who should remain Master of the Fieldshould be proclaim'd the happy Victor. 

Four Days afterwards, they were to meet again, accoutred as before, and to explain all such _Ænigmas_, or _Riddles_, as the _Magi_should think proper to propose. If their Queries should prove toointricate and perplext for them to resolve, they were to haveRecourse to the _Lists_ again, and after that, to fresh _Ænigmas_, before they could be entitled to the Election: So that the_Tournaments_ were to be continu'd till One of the Candidates shouldbe twice a Victor, and shine as conspicuous, with respect to hisinternal Qualities, as to his Dexterity and Address in heroicAtchievements. The Queen, in the mean Time, was to be narrowlywatch'd, and allow'd only to be a Spectator of both theirAmusements, at some considerable Distance; and moreover, to becover'd with a Vail: Nor was she indulg'd so far as to speak onesingle Word to any Candidate whomsoever, in order to prevent theleast Jealousy or Suspicion either of Partiality or Injustice. 

_Astarte_ took care, by the Courier, to inform her Lover of all thePreliminary Articles abovemention'd, not doubting but that he wouldexert both his Courage and Understanding for her Sake, beyond any ofthe other Competitors. 

_Zadig_ accordingly set out for _Babylon_, and besought the Goddess_Venus_, not only to fortify his Courage, but to illuminate his Mindwith Wisdom on this important Occasion. 

The Night before these martial Atchievements were to commence, _Zadig_ arrived upon the Banks of the _Euphrates_. He inscrib'd hisDevice amongst the List of Combatants; concealing, at the same Time, both his Person and Name, as the Laws of the Election required; andaccordingly, withdrew to the Apartment that was provided for him, according to his Lot. 

_Cador_, who was just return'd to _Babylon_, having hunted all_Egypt_ over to no Purpose, in Hopes to find his Friend _Zadig_, brought a compleat set of Armour into his Lodge, by express Ordersfrom the Queen: She sent him likewise One of the finest Horses inall _Persia_. _Zadig_ knew that these Presents could come fromNo-body but his dear _Astarte_, which redoubled his Vigour and hisHopes. 

The next Morning the Queen being seated under a Canopy of State, enrich'd with precious Stones; and the Amphitheatres being crowdedwith Gentlemen and Ladies of all Ranks and Conditions from_Babylon_; the Competitors made their personal Appearance in the_Circus_: Each of them went up to the grand _Magus_, and laid downhis particular _Device_ at his Feet. The _Devices_ were drawn byLot: That of _Zadig_ was the last. The first that advanc'd was aGrandee, one _Itabod_ by Name, immensely rich, indeed, and veryhaughty; but no ways couragious; exceedingly awkward, and a Man ofno acquir'd Parts. The Sycophants that hover'd round about himflatter'd him, that a Man of his Merit couldn't fail of being King:He imperiously replied, One of my Merit must be King: Whereupon hewas arm'd _Cap-a-pee_. His Armour was made of pure Gold, enamell'dwith Green. The Housings of his Saddle were green, and his Lanceembellish'd with green Ribbands. Every One was sensible, at firstSight, by _Itobad's_ Manner of managing his Horse, that he was notthe Man whom Heav'n had pitch'd upon to sway the _Babylonish_Scepter. The first Combatant that tilted with him, threw him out ofthe Saddle; the second flung him quite over the Crupper, and laidhim sprawling on the Ground, with his Heels quiv'ring in the Air. _Itobad_, 'tis true, remounted, but with so ill a Grace, that anuniversal Laugh went round the Amphitheatre. The third, disdainingto use his Lance, made only a Feint at him: Then catch'd hold of hisRight Leg, and whirling him round, threw him flat upon the Sand. TheEsquires, who were the Attendants, ran to his Assistance, and with aSneer remounted him. The fourth Combatant catch'd hold of his LeftLeg, and unhors'd him again. He was convey'd thro' the hissingMultitude to his Lodge, where, according to the Law in that Caseprovided, he was to pass the Night. And as he hobbled along, saidhe, to the Esquires, what a sad Misfortune is this to One of myBirth and Character!

The other Champions play'd their Parts much better; and all came offwith Credit. Some conquer'd two of their Antagonists, and otherswere so far successful as to get the better of three. None of them, however, except Prince _Hottam_, vanquish'd four. _Zadig_, at last, enter'd the Lists, and dismounted all his four Opponents, one afterthe other, with the utmost Ease, and with such an Air and Grace, asgain'd him universal Applause. As the Case stood thus, _Zadig_ and_Hottam_ were to close the Day's Entertainment in a single Combat. The Armour of the latter was of a blue Colour mixt with Gold, andthe Housings of his Saddle were of the same. Those of the formerwhite as Snow. The Multitude were divided in their Wishes. TheKnight in blue was the Favourite of some of the Ladies; and othersagain were Admirers of the Cavalier in white. The Queen, whose Heartwas in a perfect Palpitation, put up her secret Prayers to _Venus_to assist her darling Hero. 

The two Champions making their Passes and their Volta's, with theutmost Dexterity and Address, and keeping firm in their Saddles, gave each other such Rebuffs with their Lances, that all theSpectators (the Queen only excepted) wish'd for two Kings of_Babylon_. At last, their Horses being tired, and both their Lancesbroke, _Zadig_ made use of the following Stratagem, which hisAntagonist wasn't any ways appriz'd of. He got artfully behind him, and shooting with a Spring on his Horses Buttocks, grasp'd himclose, threw him headlong on the Sand, then jump'd into his Seat, and wheel'd round Prince _Hottam_, while he lay sprawling on theGround. All the Spectators in general, with loud Acclamations, criedout, Victory! Victory! in favour of the Champion in white. _Hottam_, incens'd to the last Degree, got up, and drew his Sword. _Zadig_sprang from his Horse with his Sabre in his Hand. Now, behold thetwo Chieftains upon their Legs, commencing a new Trial of Skill!where they seem'd to get the better of each other alternately; forboth were strong, and both were active. The Feathers of theirHelmets, the Studs of their Bracelets, their Coats of Mail, flewabout in Pieces, thro' the dry Blows which they a thousand Timesrepeated. They struck at each other sometimes with the Edge of theirSwords, at other Times they push'd, as Occasion offer'd: Now on theRight, then on the Left; now on the Head, then at the Breast; theyretreated; they advanc'd; they kept at a Distance; they clos'dagain; they grasp'd each other, turning and twisting like twoSerpents, and engag'd each other as fiercely as two _Libyan_ Lionsfighting for their Prey: Their Swords struck Fire almost at everyBlow. At last, _Zadig_, in order to recover his Breath, for a Momentor two stood still, and afterwards, making a Feint at the Prince, threw him on his Back, and disarm'd him. _Hottam_, thereupon, criedout, O thou Knight of the white Armour! 'Tis you only are destin'dto be the King of _Babylon_. The Queen was perfectly transported. The two Champions were reconducted to their separate Lodges, as theothers had been before them, in Conformity to the Laws prescrib'd. Several Mutes were order'd to wait on the Champions, and carry themsome proper Refreshment. We'll leave the Reader to judge whether theQueen's Dwarf was not appointed to wait on _Zadig_ on this happyOccasion. After Supper the Mutes withdrew, and left the Combatantsto rest their wearied Limbs till the next Morning; at which Time theVictor was to produce his _Device_, before the _Grand Magus_, inorder to confer Notes, and discover the Hero whoever he might be. 

_Zadig_ slept very sound, notwithstanding his amorous Regard for theQueen, being perfectly fatigu'd. _Itabod_, who lay in the Lodgecontiguous to his, could not once close his Eyes for Vexation. Hegot up therefore in the Dead of the Night, stole imperceptibly into_Zadig's_ Apartment, took his white Armour and Device away with him, and substituted his green One in its Place. 

As soon as the Day began to dawn, he repair'd, with a seeminglyundaunted Courage, to the _Grand Magus_, to inform him, that he wasthe mighty Hero, the happy Victor. Without the least Hesitation, hegain'd his Point, and was proclaim'd Victor before _Zadig_ wasawake. _Astarte_, astonish'd at this unexpected Disappointment, return'd with a Heart overwhelm'd with Despair, to the Court of_Babylon_. Almost all the Spectators were mov'd off from theAmphitheatre before _Zadig_ wak'd: He hunted for his Arms; but couldfind nothing but those in green. He was oblig'd, tho' sorely againsthis Will, to put it on, having nothing else in his Lodge to appearin: Confounded, and big with Resentment, he drest himself, and madehis personal Appearance in that despicable Equipage. The Populacethat were left behind in the _Circus_, hiss'd him every Step hetook, they made a Ring about him, and treated him with all the Marksof Ignominy and Contempt. The most cowardly Wretch breathing wasnever sure so sweated, or hunted down as poor _Zadig_! He grew quiteout of Patience at last, and cut his Way thro' the insulting Mob, with his Rival's Sabre; but he did not know what Measures to pursue, or how to rectify so gross a Mistake. It was not in his Power tohave a Sight of the Queen; he could never recover the white Armouragain which She had sent him; That was the Compromise, or theEngagement, to which the Combatants had all unanimously agreed:Thus, as he was on the one Hand, plung'd in an Abyss of Sorrow; soon the other, he was almost drove distracted with Vexation andResentment. He withdrew therefore, in a solitary Mood, to the Banksof the _Euphrates_, now fully persuaded, that his impropitious Starhad shed its most baleful Influence on him, and that his Misfortuneswere irretrievable, revolving in his Mind, all his Disappointmentsfrom his first Adventure with the Court-Coquet, who had entertain'dan utter Aversion to a blind Eye, down to his late Loss of his whiteArmour. See! said he, the fatal Consequence of being a Sluggard! HadI been more vigilant, I had been King of _Babylon_; but what ismore, I had been happy in the Embraces of my dearest _Astarte_. Allthe Knowledge of Books or Mankind; all the personal Valour that Ican boast of, has only prov'd an Aggravation of my Sorrows. Hecarried the Point so far at last, as to murmur at the unequalDispensations of Divine Providence; and was tempted to believe, thatall Occurrences were govern'd by a malignant Destiny, which neverfail'd to oppress the Virtuous, and always crown'd the Actions ofsuch Villains as the green Knight, with uncommon Success. In one ofhis frantick Fits, he put on the green Armour, that had created himsuch a World of Disgrace. A Merchant happening to pass by, he soldit to him for a Trifle, and took in Exchange nothing more than aMantle, and a Cap. In this Disguise, he took a solitary Walk alongthe Banks of the _Euphrates_, every Minute reflecting in his Mind onthe partial Proceedings of Providence, which never ceas'd to tormenthim. 

CHAP. XVII. 

_The_ HERMIT. 

As _Zadig_ was travelling along, he met with a Hermit, whose greyand venerable Beard descended to his Girdle. He had in his Hand alittle Book, on which his Eyes were fix'd. _Zadig_ threw himself inhis Way, and made him a profound Bow. The Hermit return'd theCompliment with such an Air of Majesty and Benevolence, that_Zadig's_ Curiosity prompted him to converse with so agreeable aStranger. Pray, Sir, said he, what may be the Contents of theTreatise you are reading with such Attention. 'Tis call'd, said theHermit, the _Book of Fate_; will you please to look at it. He putthe Book into the Hands of _Zadig_, who, tho' he was a perfectMaster of several Languages, couldn't decypher one single Character. This rais'd his Curiosity still higher. You seem dejected, said thegood Father to him. Alas! I have Cause enough, said _Zadig_. Ifyou'll permit me to accompany you, said the old Hermit, perhaps Imay be of some Service to you. I have sometimes instill'd Sentimentsof Consolation into the Minds of the Afflicted. _Zadig_ had a secretRegard for the Air of the old Man, for his Beard, and his Book. Hefound, by conversing with him, that he was the most learned Personhe had ever met with. The Hermit harangu'd on Destiny, Justice, Morality, the sovereign Good, the Frailty of Nature; on Virtue andVice, in such a lively Manner, and in such a Flow of Words, that_Zadig_ was attach'd to him by an invincible Charm. He begg'dearnestly that he would favour him with his Company to _Babylon_. That Favour I was going to ask my self, said the old Man. Swear tome by _Orosmades_, that you won't leave me, for some Days at least, let me do what I please. _Zadig_ took the Oath requir'd, and bothpursu'd their Journey. 

The two Travellers arriv'd that Evening at a superb Castle. TheHermit begg'd for an hospitable Reception of himself and his youngComrade. The Porter, whom any One might have taken for some Grandee, let them in, but with a kind of Coldness and Contempt. However, heconducted them to the Head-Steward, who went with them thro' everyrich Apartment of his Master's House. They were seated at Supperafterwards at the lower End, indeed, of the Table, and where theywere taken little or no Notice of by the Host; but they were serv'dwith as much Delicacy and Profusion, as any of the other Guests. When they arose from Table, they wash'd their Hands in a GoldenBason set with Emeralds, and other costly Stones. When 'twas Time togo to Rest, they were conducted into a Bed-chamber richly furnish'd;and the next Morning two Pieces of Gold were presented to him fortheir mutual Service, by a Valet in waiting; and then they weredismiss'd. 

The Proprietor of this Castle, said _Zadig_, as they were upon theRoad, seems to me to be a very hospitable Gentleman; tho' somewhattoo haughty indeed, and too imperious: The Words were no sooner outof his Mouth, but he perceiv'd that the Pocket of his Comrade'sGarment, tho' very large, was swell'd, and greatly extended: He soonsaw what was the Cause, and that he had clandestinely brought offthe Golden Laver. He durst not immediately take Notice of the Fact;but was ready to sink at the very Thoughts on't. About Noon, theHermit rapp'd at a petty Cottage with his Staff, the beggarlyResidence of an old, rich Miser. He desir'd that he and hisCompanion might refresh themselves there for a few Hours. An old, shabby Domestick let them in indeed, but with visible Reluctance, and carried them into the Stable, where all their Fare was a fewmusty Olives, and a Draught or two of sower small Beer. The Hermitseem'd as content with his Repast, as he was the Night before. Atlast, rising off from his Seat, he paid his Compliments to the oldValet (who had as watchful an Eye over them all the Time, as if theyhad been a Brace of Thieves, and intimated every now and then thathe fear'd they would be benighted) and gave him the two Pieces ofGold, he had but just receiv'd that Morning, as a Token of hisGratitude for his courteous Entertainment. He added moreover, Iwould willingly speak one Word with your Master before I go. TheValet, thunder-struck at his unexpected Gratuity, comply'd with hisRequest: Most hospitable Sir, said the Hermit, I couldn't go awaywithout returning you my grateful Acknowledgments for the friendlyReception we have met with this Afternoon. Be pleas'd to accept thisGolden Bason as a small Token of my Gratitude and Esteem. The Miserstarted, and was ready to fall down backwards at the Sight of sovaluable a Present. The Hermit gave him no Time to recover out ofhis Surprise, but march'd off that Moment with his young Comrade. Father, said _Zadig_, What is all this that I have seen? You seem tome to act in a quite different Manner from the Generality ofMankind. You plunder One, who entertain'd you with all the Pomp andProfusion in the World, to enrich a covetous, sordid Wretch, whotreated you in the most unworthy Manner. Son, said the old Man, thatGrandee, who receives Visits of Strangers, with no other View thanto gratify his Pride, and to raise their Astonishment at theFurniture of his Palace, will henceforward learn to be wiser; andthe Miser to be more liberal for the Time to come. Don't besurpris'd, but follow me. _Zadig_ was at a stand at present; andcouldn't well determine whether his Companion was a Man of greaterWisdom than ordinary, or a Mad-man. But the Hermit assum'd such anAscendency over him, exclusive of the Oath he had taken, that hecouldn't tell how to leave him. At Night they came to a House verycommodiously built, but neat and plain; where nothing was wanting, and yet nothing profuse. The Master was a Philosopher, that hadretir'd from the busy World, in order to live in Peace, and form hisMind to Virtue. He was pleas'd to build this little Box for theReception of Strangers, in a handsome Manner, but withoutOstentation. He came in Person to meet them at the Door, and for aTime, advis'd them to sit down and rest themselves in a commodiousApartment. After some Respite, he invited them to a frugal, yetelegant Repast; during which, he talk'd very intelligently about thelate Revolutions in _Babylon_. He seem'd entirely to be in theQueen's Interest, and heartily wish'd that _Zadig_ had entred theLists for the regal Prize: But _Babylon_, said he, don't deserve aKing of so much Merit. A modest Blush appear'd in _Zadig's_ Face atthis unexpected Compliment, which innocently aggravated hisMisfortunes. It was agreed, on all Hands, that the Affairs of thisWorld took sometimes a quite different Turn from what the wisestPatriots would wish them. The Hermit replied, the Ways of Providenceare often very intricate and obscure, and Men were much to blame forcasting Reflections on the Conduct of the Whole, upon the bareInspection of the minutest Part. 

The next Topick they entred upon was the Passions. Alas! said_Zadig_, how fatal in their Consequences! However, said the Hermit, they are the Winds that swell the Sail of the Vessel. Sometimes, 'tis true, they overset it; but there is no such Thing as sailingwithout them. Phlegm, indeed, makes Men peevish and sick; but thenthere is no living without it. Tho' every Thing here below isdangerous, yet All are necessary. 

In the next Place, their Discourse turn'd on sensual Pleasures; andthe Hermit demonstrated, that they were the Gifts of Heaven; for, said he, Man cannot bestow either Sensations or Ideas on himself; hereceives them all; his Pain and Pleasure, as well as his Being, proceed from a superior Cause. 

_Zadig_ stood astonish'd, to think how a Man that had committed suchvile Actions, could argue so well on such Moral Topicks. At theproper Hour, after an Entertainment, not only instructive, but ev'ryway agreeable, their Host conducted them to their Bed-chamber, thanking Heaven for directing two such polite and virtuous Strangersto his House. He offer'd them at the same Time some Silver, todefray their Expences on the Road; but with such an Air of Respectand Benevolence, that 'twas impossible to give the least Disgust. The Hermit, however, refus'd it, and took his leave, as he propos'dto set forward for _Babylon_ by Break of Day. Their Parting was veryaffectionate and friendly; _Zadig_, in particular, express'd a morethan common Regard for a Man of so amiable a Behaviour. When theHermit and he were alone, and preparing for Bed, they talk'd long inPraise of their new Host. As soon as Day-light appear'd, the oldHermit wak'd his young Comrade. 'Tis Time to be gone, said he; butas all the House are fast asleep, I'll leave a Token behind me of myRespect and Affection for the Master of it. No sooner were the Wordsout of his Mouth, but he struck a Light, kindled a Torch, and setthe Building in a Flame: _Zadig_, in the utmost Confusion, shriek'dout, and would, if possible, have prevented him from being guilty ofsuch a monstrous Act of Ingratitude. The Hermit dragg'd him away, bya superior Force. The House was soon in a Blaze: When they had gotat a convenient Distance, the Hermit, with an amazing Sedateness, turn'd back and survey'd the destructive Flames. Behold, said he, our fortunate Friend! In the Ruins, he will find an immenseTreasure, that will enable him, from henceforth, to exert hisBeneficence, and render his Virtues more and more conspicuous. _Zadig_, tho' astonish'd to the last Degree, attended him to theirlast Stage, which was to the Cottage of a very virtuous andwell-dispos'd Widow, who had a Nephew of about fourteen Years ofAge. He was a hopeful Youth, and the Darling of her Heart. Sheentertain'd her two Guests with the best Provisions her little Houseafforded. In the Morning she order'd her Nephew to attend them to anadjacent Bridge, which, having been broken down some few Daysbefore, render'd the Passage dangerous to Strangers. 

The Lad, being very attentive to wait on them, went formost. Whenthey were got upon the Bridge; come hither, my pretty Boy, said theHermit, I must give your Aunt some small Token of my Respect for herlast Night's Favours. Upon that, he twisted his Fingers in the Hairof his Head, and threw him, very calmly, into the River. Down wentthe little Lad; he came up once again to the Surface of the Water;but was soon lost in the rapid Stream. O thou Monster! thou worst ofVillains, cry'd _Zadig_! Didn't you promise, said the Hermit, toview my Conduct with Patience? Know then, that had that Boy liv'dbut one Year longer, he would have murder'd his Foster-Mother. Whotold you so, you barbarous Wretch, said _Zadig_? And when did youread that inhuman Event in your _Black-Book_ of _Fate_? Who gave youPermission pray, to drown so innocent a Youth, that had neverdisoblig'd you?

No sooner had our young _Babylonian_ ceas'd his severe Reflections, but he perceiv'd that the old Hermit's long Beard grew shorter andshorter; that the Furrows in his Face began to fill up, and that hisCheeks glow'd with a Rose-coloured Red, as if he had been in theBloom of Fifteen. His Mantle was vanish'd at once; and on hisShoulders, which were before cover'd, appear'd four angelic Wings, each refulgent as the Sun. O thou Messenger of Heaven! O thouangelic Form! cry'd _Zadig_, and fell prostrate at his Feet; thouart descended from the Empireum, I find, to instruct such a poorfrail Mortal as I am, how to submit to the Mysteries of Fate. Mankind in general, said the Angel _Jesrad_, judge of the Whole, byonly viewing the hither Link of the Chain. Thou, of all the humanRace, wast the only Man that deserv'd to have thy Mind enlighten'd. _Zadig_, begg'd Leave to speak. I am somewhat diffident of myself, 'tis true; but may I presume, Sir, to beg the Solution of oneScruple? Would it not have been better to have chastiz'd the Lad, and by that Means reform'd him, than to have cut him off thusunprepar'd in a Moment. _Jesrad_, replied, had he been virtuous, andhad he liv'd, 'twas his _Fate_ not only to be murder'd himself, buthis Wife, whom he would afterwards have married, and the littleInfant, that was to have been the Pledge of their mutual Affection. Is it necessary then, venerable Guide, that there should beWickedness and Misfortunes in the World, and that those Misfortunesshould fall with Weight on the Heads of the Righteous? The Wicked, replied _Jesrad_, are always unhappy. Misfortunes are intended onlyas a Touch-stone, to try a small Number of the Just, who are thinlyscatter'd about this terrestrial Globe: Besides, there is no Evilunder the Sun, but some Good proceeds from it: But, said _Zadig_, Suppose the World was all Goodness, and there was no such Thing inNature as Evil. Then, that World of yours, said _Jesrad_, would beanother World; the Chain of Events would be another Wisdom; and thatother Order, which would be perfect, must of Necessity be theeverlasting Residence of the supreme Being, whom no Evil canapproach. That great and first Cause has created an infinite Numberof Worlds, and no two of them alike. This vast Variety is anAttribute of his Omnipotence. There are not two Leaves on the Treesthroughout the Universe, nor any two Globes of Light amongst theMyriad of Stars that deck the infinite Expanse of Heaven, which areperfectly alike. And whatever you see on that small Atom of Earth, whereof you are a Native, must exist in the Place, and at the Timeappointed, according to the immutable Decrees of him who comprehendsthe Whole. Mankind imagine, that the Lad, whom I plung'd into theRiver, was drown'd by _Chance_; and that our generous Benefactor'sHouse was reduc'd to Ashes by the same _Chance_; but know, there isno such Thing as _Chance_, all Misfortunes are intended, either assevere Trials, Judgments, or Rewards; and are the Result ofForeknowledge. You remember, Sir, the poor Fisherman in Despair, that thought himself the most unhappy Mortal breathing. The great_Orasmades_, sent you to amend his Situation. Frail Mortal! Cease tocontend with what you ought to adore. But, said _Zadig_--whilst theSound of the Word But dwelt upon his Tongue, the Angel took hisFlight towards the tenth Sphere. _Zadig_ sunk down upon his Knees, and acknowledg'd an over-ruling Providence with all the Marks of theprofoundest Submission. The Angel, as he was soaring towards theClouds, cried out in distinct Accents; Make thy Way towards_Babylon_. 

CHAP. XVIII. 

_The_ ÆNIGMAS, or RIDDLES. 

_Zadig_, as one beside himself, and perfectly thunder-struck, beathis March at random. He entred, however, into the City of _Babylon_, on that very Day, when those Combatants who had been before engag'din the List or Circus, were already assembled in the spaciousOuter-Court of the Palace, in order to solve the Ænigmas, and givethe wisest Answers they could to such Questions, as the _GrandMagus_ should propose. All the Parties concern'd were present, except the Knight of the Green Armour. No sooner had _Zadig_ madehis Appearance in the City, but the Populace flock'd round abouthim: No Eye was satisfied with gazing at him: All in general werelavish of their Praises, and in their Hearts wish'd him theirSovereign, except the envious Man, who as he pass'd by, fetch'd adeep Sigh, and turn'd his Head aside. The Populace with loudAcclamations attended him to the Palace-Gate. The Queen, who hadheard of his Arrival, was in the utmost Agony, between Hope andDespair. Her Vexation had almost brought her to Death's Door; shecouldn't conceive why _Zadig_ should appear without hisAccoutrements, nor imagine which Way _Itobad_ could procure thesnow-white Armour. At the Sight of _Zadig_ a confus'd Murmur ranthro' the whole Place. Every Eye was surpriz'd, tho' charm'd at thesame Time to see him again: But then none were to be admitted intothe Assembly-Room except the Knights. 

I have fought as successfully as any one of them all, said _Zadig_, tho' another appears clad in my Armour; but in the mean Time, beforeI can possibly prove my Assertion, I insist upon being admitted intoCourt, in order to give my Solutions to such Ænigmas as shall bepropos'd. 'Twas put to the Vote. As the Reputation of his being aMan of the strictest Honour and Veracity was so strongly imprintedon their Minds, the Motion of his Admittance was carried in theAffirmative, without the least Opposition. 

The first Question the _Grand Magus_ propos'd was this: What is thelongest and yet the shortest Thing in the World; the most swift andthe most slow; the most divisible, and the most extended; the leastvalu'd, and the most regretted; And without which nothing canpossibly be done: Which, in a Word, devours every Thing how minutesoever, and yet gives Life and Spirit to every Object or Being, however Great?

_Itobad_ had the Honour to answer first. His reply was, that a Manof his Merit had something else to think on, than idle Riddles;'twas enough for him, that he was acknowledg'd the Hero of theCircus. One said, the Solution of the Ænigma propos'd was _Fortune_;others said the _Earth_; and others again the _Light_: But _Zadig_pronounced it to be _Time_. Nothing, said he, can be longer, since'tis the Measure of Eternity; Nothing is shorter, since there isTime always wanting to accomplish what we aim at. Nothing passes soslowly as Time to him who is in Expectation; and nothing so swift asTime to him who is in the perfect Enjoyment of his Wishes. It'sExtent is to Infinity, in the Whole; and divisible to Infinity inpart. All Men neglect it in the Passage; and all regret the Loss ofit when 'tis past. Nothing can possibly be done without it; itburies in Oblivion whatever is unworthy of being transmitted down toPosterity; and it renders all illustrious Actions immortal. TheAssembly agreed unanimously that _Zadig_ was in the Right. 

The next Question that was started, was, What is the Thing wereceive, without being ever thankful for it; which we enjoy, withoutknowing how we came by it; which we give away to others, withoutknowing where 'tis to be found; and which we lose, without being anyways conscious of our Misfortune?

Each pass'd his Verdict. _Zadig_ was the only Person that concludedit was LIFE. He solv'd every Ænigma propos'd, with equal Facility. _Itobad_, when he heard the Explications, always said that nothingin the World was more easy, than to solve such obvious Questions;and that he could interpret a thousand of them without the leastHesitation, were he inclin'd to trouble his Head about such Trifles. Other Questions were propos'd in regard to Justice, the sovereignGood, and the Art of Government. _Zadig's_ Answers still carried thegreatest Weight. What Pity 'tis, said some who were present, thatone of so comprehensive a Genius, should make such a scurvyCavalier?

Most illustrious Grandees, said _Zadig_, I was the Person that hadthe Honour of being Victor at your Circus; the white Armour, mostpuissant Lords, was mine. That awkward Warrior there, Lord _Itobad_, dress'd himself in it whilst I was asleep. He imagin'd, it is plain, that it would do him more Honour than his own Green one. Unaccoutredas I am, I am ready, before this august Assembly, to give themincontestable Proof of my superior Skill; to engage with the Usurperof the White Armour with my Sword only in my Mantle and Bonnet; andto testify that I only was the happy Victor of the justly admired_Hottam_. 

_Itobad_ accepted of the Challenge with all the Assurance of Successimaginable. He did not doubt, but being properly accoutred with hisHelmet, his Cuirass, and his Bracelets, he should be able to huedown an Antagonist, in his Mantle and Cap, and nothing to skreen himfrom his Resentment, but a single Sabre. _Zadig_ drew his Sword, andsaluted the Queen with it, who view'd him with Transport mix'd withFear. _Itobad_ drew his, but paid his Compliments to Nobody. Heapproach'd _Zadig_, as one, whom he imagin'd incapable of making anyconsiderable Resistance. He concluded, 'twas in his Power to cut_Zadig_ into Atoms. _Zadig_, however, knew how to parry the Blow, bydexterously receiving it upon his _Fort_ (as the Swords-men call it)by which Means _Itobad's_ Sword was snapt in two. With that _Zadig_in an Instant clos'd his Adversary, and by his superior Strength, aswell as Skill, laid him sprawling on his Back. Then holding thePoint of his Sword to the opening of his Cuirass, Submit to bestripp'd of your borrow'd Plumes, or you are a dead Man this Moment. _Itobad_, always surpriz'd, that any Disappointment should attend aMan of such exalted Merit as himself, very tamely permitted _Zadig_to disrobe him by Degrees of his pompous Helmet, his superb Cuirass, his rich Bracelets, his brilliant Cuisses, or Armour for his Thighs, and other Martial Accoutrements. When _Zadig_ had equipp'd himself_Cap-a-pee_, in his now recover'd Armour, he flew to _Astarte_, andthrew himself prostrate at her Feet. _Cador_ prov'd, without anygreat Difficulty, that the White Armour was _Zadig's_ Property. Hewas thereupon acknowledg'd King of _Babylon_, by the unanimousContent of the Whole Court; but more particularly with theApprobation of _Astarte_, who after such a long Series ofMisfortunes, now tasted the Sweets of seeing her darling _Zadig_thought worthy, in the Opinion of the whole World, to be the Partnerof her royal Bed. _Itobad_ withdrew, and contented himself withbeing call'd _my Lord_ within the narrow Compass of his ownDomesticks. _Zadig_, in short, was elected King, and was as happy asany Mortal could be. 

Now he began to reflect on what the Angel _Jesrad_ had said to him:Nay, he reflected so far back as the Story of the _Arabian_ Atom ofDust metamorphosed into a Diamond. The Queen and He ador'd theDivine Providence. _Zadig_ permitted _Missouf_, the Fair Coquet, tomake her Conquests where she could. He sent Couriers to bring theFree-booter _Arbogad_ to Court, and gave him an Honourable MilitaryPost in his Army, with a farther Promise of Promotion to the highestDignity; but upon this express Condition, that he would act for thefuture as a Soldier of Honour; but assur'd him at the same Time, that he'd make a publick Example of him, if he follow'd hisProfession of Free-booting for the future. 

_Setoc_ was sent for from the lonely Desarts of _Arabia_, togetherwith the fair _Almonza_, his new Bride, to preside over thecommercial Affairs of _Babylon_. _Cador_ was advanc'd to a Post nearhimself, and was his Favourite Minister at Court, as the just Rewardof his past Services. He was, in short, the King's real Friend; and_Zadig_ was the only Monarch in the Universe that could boast ofsuch an Attendant. The Dwarf, tho' dumb, was not wholly forgotten. The Fisherman was put into the Possession of a very handsome House;and _Orcan_ was sentenc'd, not only to pay him a very considerableSum for the Injustice done him in detaining his Wife; but to resignher likewise to the proper Owner: The Fisherman, however, grown wiseby Experience, soften'd the Rigour of the Sentence, and took theMoney only in full of all Accounts. 

He didn't leave so much as _Semira_ wholly disconsolate, tho' shehad such an Aversion to a blind Eye; nor _Azora_ comfortless, notwithstanding her affectionate Intention to shorten his Nose; forhe sooth'd their Sorrows by very munificent Presents. The enviousInformer indeed, died with Shame and Vexation. The Empire wasglorious abroad, and in the full Enjoyment of Tranquility, Peace andPlenty, at home: This, in short, was the true golden Age. The wholeCountry was sway'd by Love and Justice. Every one blest _Zadig_; and_Zadig_ blest Heav'n for his unexpected Success. 

_FINIS. _

 Transcriber's Notes:

 Spelling and punctuation are as found (for example, _Itabod/Itobad_ was left as printed), with one exception: the original reads "purcha'd" in "An _Arabian_ Merchant, _Setoc_ by Name, purchas'd them both;"

 Hyphenated words are closed up if all other examples are closed, otherwise not. If there is a mix of broken and not, then it was left with a hyphen. 

 Italic possessives were changed for clarity (for example, _Zadig's_ not _Zadig_'s).