ZADIG

OR, THE BOOK OF FATE.

***

VOLTAIRE

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 *
Zadig
Or, The Book of Fate.
From a 1749 edition.

ISBN 978-1-775410-45-4

© 2009 THE FLOATING PRESS.

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 Contents
*
Dedication
The Approbation
Chapter I - The Blind Eye
Chapter II - The Nose
Chapter III - The Dog and the Horse
Chapter IV - The Envious Man
Chapter V - The Force of Generosity
Chap VI — The Judgments
Chapter VII - The Force of Jealousy
Chapter VIII - The Thrash'd Wife
Chapter IX - The Captive
Chapter X - The Funeral Pile
Chapter XI - The Evening's Entertainment
Chapter XII - The Rendezvous
Chapter XIII - The Free-Booter
Chapter XIV - The Fisherman
Chapter XV - The Basilisk

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 Chapter XVI - The Tournaments
Chapter XVII - The Hermit
Chapter XVIII - The Ænigmas, or Riddles
Endnotes

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 *
—-Quo fata trahunt, retrahuntque sequamur.
Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum,
Tendimus in Latium.—-VIRG.

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 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 Intellectual Light! I do not kiss the Dust of thy
Feet; because thou seldom art seen out of the Seraglio,
and when thou art, thou walkest only on the 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

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Amusement, to write the History of Zadig; a
Performance, that comprehends in it more Instruction
than, 'tis possible, you may at first be aware of. I beg you
would indulge me so far as to read it over, and then pass
your impartial Judgment upon it: For notwithstanding
you are in the Bloom of your Life; tho' ev'ry Pleasure
courts you; tho' you are Nature's Darling, and have
internal Qualities in proportion to your Beauty; tho' the
World resounds your Praises from Morning till Night,
and consequently you must have a just Title to a superior
Degree of Understanding than the rest of your Sex; Yet
your Wit is no ways flashy; Your Taste is refin'd, and I
have had the Honour to hear you talk more learnedly
than the wisest Dervise, with his venerable Beard, and
pointed Bonnet: You are discreet, and yet not mistrustful;
you are easy, but not weak; you are beneficent with
Discretion; you love your Friends, and create yourself no
Enemies. Your most sprightly Flights borrow no Graces
from Detraction; you never speak a misbecoming Word,
nor do an ill-natur'd Action, tho' 'tis always in your
Power. In a Word, your Soul is as spotless as your
Person. You have, moreover, a little Fund of Philosophy,
which gives me just Grounds to hope that you'll relish
this Historical Performance better than any other Lady of
your Quality would do.

It was originally compos'd in the Chaldean Language, to

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which both you 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 Tales of One
Thousand and One Nights, and One Thousand and One
Days, were most in Vogue: OULOUG chose rather to
entertain himself with the Adventures of Zadig. The
Sultanas indeed were more fond of the former. How can
you, said the judicious OULOUG, be so partial, as to
prefer 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 they are in Taste; and the less
their Merit, the greater their Commendation.

I flatter my self, thou Patroness of Wisdom, that thou

wilt not copy after those thoughtless Sultanas, but give
into the Sentiments of OULOUG. I am in hopes likewise,
when you are tir'd with the Conversation of such as make
those senseless Romances abovemention'd their favourite
Amusements, you will vouchsafe to listen for one Minute
or two, to the Dictates of solid Sense. Had you been
Thalestris in the Days of Scander, the Son of Philip; had
you been the Queen of Sheba, in the Reign of Solomon,
those Kings would have been proud to have taken a Tour
to visit you.

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

SADI.

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 The Approbation
*
I, Who have subscrib'd my Name hereto, ambitious of
being thought a Man of Wit and Learning, have perus'd
this MANUSCRIPT, which I find, to my great
Mortification, amusing, moral, philosophical, and fit to
be read, even by those who have an utter Aversion to
Romances; for which Reason, I have depretiated it, as it
deserves, and have in direct Terms told the CADI-
LESQUIER, that 'tis a most detestable Performance.

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 Chapter 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 with an uncommon Genius, but born
of illustrious Parents, who bestowed on him 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 ways self-conceited; he didn't always act up to
the strictest Rules of Reason himself, and knew how to
look on the Foibles of others, with an Eye of Indulgence.
Every one was surpriz'd to find, that notwithstanding he
had such a Fund of Wit, he never insulted; nay, never so
much as rallied any of his Companions, for that Tittle
Tattle, which was so vague and empty, so noisy and
confus'd; for those rash Reflections, those illiterate
Conclusions, and those insipid Jokes; and, in short, for
that Flow of unmeaning Words, which was call'd polite
Conversation in Babylon. He had learned from the first
Book of Zoroaster, that Self-love is like a Bladder full
blown, which when once prick'd, discharges a kind of

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petty Tempest. Zadig, in particular, never boasted of his
Contempt of the Fair Sex, or of his Facility to make
Conquests amongst them. He was of a generous Spirit;
insomuch, that he was not afraid of obliging even an
ungrateful Man; strictly adhering to that wise Maxim of
Zoroaster. When you are eating, throw an Offal to the
Dogs that are under the Table, lest they should be
tempted to bite you. He was as wise as he could well be
wish'd; since he was fond of no Company, but such as
were distinguish'd for Men of Sense. As he was well-
grounded, in all the Sciences of the antient Chaldeans, he
was no Stranger to those Principles of Natural
Philosophy, which were then known: And understood as
much of Metaphysics as any one in all Ages after him;
that is to say, he knew little or nothing of the Matter. He
was firmly convinc'd, that the Year consisted of 365
Days and an half, tho' directly repugnant to the new
Philosophy of the Age he liv'd in; and that the Sun was
situated in the Center of the Earth; And when the Chief
Magi told him, with an imperious Air, that he maintain'd
erroneous Principles; and that it was an Indignity offered
to the Government under which he liv'd, to imagine the
Sun should roll round its own Axis, and that the Year
consisted of twelve Months, he knew how to sit still and
quiet, without shewing the least Tokens of Resentment or
Contempt.

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As Zadig was immensely rich, and had consequently
Friends without Number; and as he was a Gentleman of a
robust Constitution, and remarkably handsome; as he
was endowed with a plentiful Share of ready and
inoffensive Wit: And, in a Word, as his Heart was
perfectly sincere and open, he imagin'd himself, in some
Measure, qualified to be perfectly happy. For which
Purpose he determin'd to marry a gay young Lady (one
Semira by name) whose Beauty, Birth and 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
just upon the critical Minute of a mutual Conjunction in
the Bands of Matrimony, when, as they were walking
Hand in Hand together towards one of the Gates of
Babylon, under the Shade of a Row of Palm-trees, that
grew on the Banks of the River Euphrates, they were
beset by a Band of Ruffians, arm'd with Sabres, Bows
and Arrows. They were the Guards, it seems, of young
Orcan (Nephew of a certain Minister of State) whom the
Parasites, kept by his Uncle, had buoy'd up with a
Permission to do, with Impunity, whatever he thought
proper. This young Rival, tho' he had none of those
internal Qualities to boast of that Zadig had, yet he
imagin'd himself a Man of more Power; and for that
Reason, was perfectly outrageous to see the other
preferr'd before him. This Fit of Jealousy, the Result of

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mere Vanity, prompted him to think that he was deeply
in Love with the fair Semira; and fir'd with that amorous
Notion, he was determin'd to take her away from Zadig,
by Dint of Arms. The Ravishers rush'd rudely upon her,
and in the Transport of their Rage, drew the Blood of a
Beauty, the Sight of whose Charms would have soften'd
the very Tigers of Mount Imaüs. The injur'd Lady rent
the very Heavens with her Exclamations. Where's my
dear Husband, she cried? They have torn me from the
Arms of the only Man whom I adore. She never reflected
on the Danger to which she was expos'd; her sole
Concern was for her beloved Zadig. At the same Time,
he defended her, like a Lover, and a Man of Integrity and
Courage. With the Assistance only of two domestic
Servants, he put those Sons of Violence to Flight, and
conducted Semira, bloody as she was, and in fainting
Fits, to her own House. No sooner was she come to her
self, but she fix'd her lovely Eyes on her Dear Deliverer.
O Zadig, said she, I love thee as affectionately, as if I
were actually thy Bride: I love thee, as the Man, to whom
I owe my Life, and what is dearer to me, the Preservation
of my Honour. No Heart sure could be more deeply
smitten than that of Semira. Never did the Lips of the
fairest Creature living utter softer Sounds; never did the
most enamoured Lady breathe such tender Sentiments of
Love and Gratitude for his signal Service; never, in short,
did the most affectionate Bride express such Transports

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of Joy for the fondest Husband. Her Wounds, however,
were but very superficial, and she was soon recover'd.
Zadig receiv'd a Wound that was much more dangerous:
An unlucky Arrow had graz'd one of his Eyes, and the
Orifice was deep. Semira was incessant in her Prayers to
the Gods that they might restore her Zadig. Her Eyes
were Night and Day overwhelm'd with Tears. She waited
with Impatience for the happy Moment, when those of
Zadig might dart their Fires upon her; but alas! the
wounded Eye grew so inflam'd and swell'd, that she was
terrified to the last Degree. She sent as far as Memphis
for Hermes, the celebrated Physician there, who instantly
attended his new Patient with a numerous Retinue. Upon
his first Visit, he peremptorily declared that Zadig would
lose his Eye; and foretold not only the Day, but the very
Hour when that woful Disaster would befal him. Had it
been, said that Great Man, his right Eye, I could have
administred an infallible Specific; but as it is, his
Misfortune is beyond the Art of Man to cure. Tho' all
Babylon pitied the hard Case of Zadig, they equally
stood astonish'd at the profound Penetration of Hermes.
Two Days after the Imposthume broke, without any
Application, and Zadig soon after was perfectly
recover'd. Hermes thereupon wrote a very long and
elaborate Treatise, to prove that his Wound ought not to
have been heal'd. Zadig, however, never thought it worth
his while to peruse his learned Lucubrations; but, as soon

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as ever he could get abroad, determin'd to pay the Lady a
Visit, who had testified such uncommon Concern for his
Welfare, and for whose Sake alone he wish'd for the
Restoration of his Sight. Semira he found had been out of
Town for three Days; but was inform'd, by the bye, that
his intended Spouse, having conceived an implacable
Aversion to a one-ey'd Man, was that very Night to be
married to Orcan. At this unexpected ill News, poor
Zadig was perfectly thunder-struck: He laid his
Disappointment so 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 a capricious Court-Lady, I am determin'd to
marry some substantial Citizen's Daughter. He pitch'd
accordingly upon Azora, a young Gentlewoman
extremely well-bred, an excellent Oeconomist, and one,
whose Parents were very rich.

Their Nuptials accordingly were soon after solemniz'd,

and for a whole Month successively, no two Turtles were
ever more fond of each other. In Process of Time,
however, he perceiv'd she was a little Coquettish, and too

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much inclin'd to think, that the handsomest young
Fellows were always the most virtuous and the greatest
Wits.

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 Chapter II - The Nose
*
One Day Azora, as she was just return'd home from
taking a short Country airing, threw herself into a violent
Passion, and swell'd with Invectives. What, in God's
Name, my Dear, said Zadig, has thus ruffled your
Temper? What can be the Meaning of all these warm
Exclamations? Alas! said she, you would have been
disgusted as much as I am, had you been an Eye-witness
of that Scene of Female Falshood, as I was Yesterday. I
went, you must know, to visit the disconsolate Widow
Cosrou, who has been these two Days erecting a
Monument to the Memory of her young deceased
Husband, near the Brook that 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, as long 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 an incontestable Mark of her superior
Merit and Conjugal-Affection? But, Zadig, said Azora,
was you to know how her Thoughts were employ'd when

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I made my Visit, you'd never forget or forgive her. Pray,
my dearest Azora, what then was she about? Why, the
Creature, said Azora, was studying, to be sure, to find out
Ways and Means to turn the Current of the River.

Azora, in short, harangu'd so long, and, was so big with

her Invectives against the young Widow, that her too
affected, vain Shew of Virtue, gave Zadig a secret
Disgust.

Zadig had an intimate Friend, one Cador by Name,

whose Spouse was 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 a Promise of some
valuable Token of his Respect. Azora had been visiting a
Female Companion for two Days together in the
Country, and on the third was returning home: No
sooner, however, was she in Sight of the House, but the
Servants ran to meet her with Tears in their Eyes, and
told her, that their Master dy'd suddenly the Night
before; that they durstn't carry her the doleful Tidings,
but were going to bury Zadig in the Sepulchre of his
Ancestors, at the Bottom of the Garden. She burst into a
Flood of Tears; tore her Hair; 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 the Widow. He

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was so, and they wept together very cordially. Next Day
the Storm was somewhat abated, and they din'd together;
Cador inform'd her, that his Friend had left him the
much greater Part of his Effects, and gave her to
understand, that he should think himself the happiest
Creature in the World, if she would condescend to be his
Partner in that Demise. The Widow wept, sobb'd, and
began to melt. More Time was spent in Supper than at
Dinner. They discoursed together with a little more
Freedom. Azora was lavish of her Encomiums on Zadig;
but then, 'twas true, she said, he had some secret
Infirmities to which Cador was a Stranger. In the Midst
of their Midnight Entertainment, Cador all on a sudden
complain'd that he was taken with a most violent
pleuretic Fit, and was ready to swoon away. Our Lady
being extremely concern'd, and over-officious, flew to
her Closet of Cordials, and brought down every Thing
she could think of that might be of Service on this
emergent Occasion. She was extremely sorry that the
famous Hermes was gone from Babylon, and
condescended to lay her warm Hand upon the Part
affected, in which he felt such an agonizing Pain. Pray
Sir, said she, in a soft, languishing Tone, are you subject
to this tormenting Malady? Sometimes, Madam, said
Cador, so strong, that they bring me almost to Death's
Door; and there is but one Thing can infallibly cure me;
and that is, the Application of a dead Man's Nose to the

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part affected. An odd Remedy truly, said Azora. Not
stranger, Madam, said he, than the Great Arnon's[1]
infallible Apoplectic Necklaces.

This Assurance of Success, together with Cador's

personal Merit, determin'd Azora in his Favour. After all,
said she, when my Husband shall be about to cross the
Bridge Tchimavar, from this World of Yesterday, to the
other, of To-morrow, will the Angel Asrael, think you,
make any Scruple about his Passage, should his Nose
prove something shorter in the next Life than 'twas in
this? She would venture, however, and taking up a sharp
Razor, repair'd to her Husband's Tomb; water'd it first
with her Tears, and then intended to perform the
innocent Operation, as he lay extended breathless, as she
thought, in his Coffin. Zadig mounted in a Moment;
secur'd his Nose with one Hand, and the Incision-Knife
with the other. Madam, said he, never more exclaim
against the Widow Cosrou. The Scheme for cutting my
Nose off was much closer laid than hers of throwing the
River into a new Channel.

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 Chapter III - The Dog and the
Horse
*
Zadig found, by Experience, that the first thirty Days of
Matrimony (as 'tis written in the Book of Zend) is Honey-
Moon; but the 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 his Consolation for the
future, in the Study of Nature. Who is happier, said he,
than the Philosopher, who peruses with Understanding
that spacious Book, which the supreme Being has laid
open before his Eyes? The Truths he discovers there, are
of infinite Service to him. He thereby cultivates and
improves his Mind. He lives in Peace and Tranquility all
his Days; he is afraid of Nobody, and he has no tender,
indulgent Wife to shorten his Nose for him.

Wrapped up in these Contemplations, he retir'd to a little

Country House on the Banks of the Euphrates; there he
never spent his Time in calculating how many Inches of

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Water run thro' the Arch of a Bridge in a second of Time,
or in enquiring if a Cube Line of Rain falls more in the
Mouse-Month, than in that of the Ram. He form'd no
Projects for making Silk Gloves and Stockings out of
Spiders Webbs, nor of China-Ware out of broken Glass-
Bottles; but he pry'd into the Nature and Properties of
Animals and Plants, and soon, by his strict and repeated
Enquiries, he was capable of discerning 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 his Attendants, coming towards him, hunting
about, in deep Concern, both here and there, like Persons
almost in Despair, and seeking, with Impatience, for
something lost of the utmost Importance. Young Man,
said the Queen's chief Eunuch, have not you seen, pray,
her Majesty's Dog? Zadig very cooly replied, you mean
her Bitch, I presume. You say very right Sir, said the
Eunuch, 'tis a Spaniel-Bitch indeed.—And very small
said Zadig: She has had Puppies too lately; she's a little
lame with her left Fore-foot, and has long Ears. By your
exact Description, Sir, you must doubtless have seen her,
said the Eunuch, almost out of Breath. But I have not Sir,
notwithstanding, neither did I know, but by you, that the
Queen ever had such a favourite Bitch.

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Just at this critical Juncture, so various are the Turns of
Fortune's Wheel! the best Palfrey in all the King's Stable
had broke loose from the Groom, and got upon the Plains
of Babylon. The Head Huntsman with all his inferior
Officers, were in Pursuit after him, with as much
Concern, as the Eunuch about the Bitch. The Head
Huntsman address'd himself to Zadig, and ask'd him,
whether he hadn'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 are very small; his Tail is about
three Foot six Inches long; the studs of his Bit are of pure
Gold, about 23 Carats; and his Shoes are of Silver, about
Eleven penny Weight a-piece. What Course did he take,
pray, Sir? Whereabouts is he, said the Huntsman? I never
sat Eyes on him, 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 answering their Interrogatories so very exactly, not
doubting in the least, but that Zadig had clandestinely
convey'd both the Bitch and the Horse 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
in some remote and lonely Part of Siberia. No sooner had
the Sentence been pronounc'd, but the Horse and Bitch
were both found. The Judges were in some Perplexity in
this odd Affair, and yet thought it absolutely necessary,

24
as the Man was innocent, to recal their Decree. However,
they laid a Fine upon him of Four Hundred Ounces of
Gold, for his false Declaration of his not having seen,
what doubtless he did: And the Fine was order'd to be
deposited in Court accordingly: On the Payment
whereof, he was permitted to bring his Cause 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

universal Knowledge, ye Mirrors of Equity, who have in
you the Solidity of Lead, the Hardness of Steel, the
Lustre of a Diamond, and the Resemblance of the purest
Gold! Since ye have condescended so far, as to admit of
my Address to this August Assembly, I here, in the most
solemn Manner, swear to you by Orosmades, that I never
saw the Queen's illustrious Bitch, nor the sacred Palfrey
of the King of Kings. I'll be ingenuous, however, and
declare the Truth, and nothing but the Truth. As I was
walking by the Thicket's Side, where I met with her
Majesty's most venerable chief Eunuch, and the King's
most illustrious chief Huntsman, I perceiv'd upon the
Sand the Footsteps of an Animal, and I easily inferr'd
that it must be a little one. The several small, tho' long
Ridges of Land between the Footsteps of the Creature,

25
gave me just Grounds to imagine it was a Bitch whose
Teats hung down; and for that Reason, I concluded she
had but lately pupp'd. As I observ'd likewise some other
Traces, in some Degree different, which seem'd to have
graz'd all the Way upon the Surface of the Sand, on the
Side of the fore-Feet, I knew well enough she must have
had long Ears. And forasmuch as I discern'd; with some
Degree of Curiosity, that the Sand was every where less
hollow'd by one Foot in particular, than by the other
three, I conceiv'd that the Bitch of our most august
Queen was somewhat lamish, 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 took particular Notice of the Prints made
upon the Sand by a Horse's Shoes; and found that their
Distances were in exact Proportion; from that
Observation, I concluded the Palfrey gallop'd well. In the
next Place, the Dust of some Trees in a narrow Lane,
which was but seven Foot broad, was here and there
swept off, both on the Right and on the Left, about three
Feet and six Inches from the Middle of the Road. For
which Reason I pronounc'd the Tail of the Palfrey to be
three Foot and a half long, with which he had whisk'd off
the Dust on 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 had been lately fallen on the

26
Ground, and I was sensible the Horse must have shook
them off; from whence I conjectur'd he was five Foot
high. As to the Bits of his Bridle, I knew they must be of
Gold, and of the Value I mention'd; for he had rubb'd the
Studs upon a certain Stone, which I knew to be a Touch-
stone, by an Experiment that I had made of it. To
conclude, by the Prints which his Shoes had left of some
Flint-Stones of another Nature, I concluded his Shoes
were Silver, 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 King and the Queen. Zadig was not
only the whole Subject of the Court's Conversation; but
his Name was mention'd with the utmost Veneration in
the King's Chambers, and his Privy-Council. And
notwithstanding several of their Magi declar'd he ought
to be burnt for a Sorcerer; yet the King thought proper,
that the Fine he had deposited in Court, should be
peremptorily restor'd. The Clerk of the Court, the
Tipstaffs, and other petty Officers, waited on him in their
proper Habit, in order to refund the four Hundred Ounces
of Gold, pursuant to the King's express Order; modestly
reserving only three Hundred and ninety Ounces, part
thereof, to defray the Fees of the Court. And the
Domesticks swarm'd about him likewise, in Hopes of

27
some small Consideration.

Zadig, upon winding up of the Bottom, was fully

convinc'd, that it was very dangerous to be over-wise;
and was determin'd to set a Watch before the Door of his
Lips for the future.

An Opportunity soon offer'd for the Trial of his

Resolution. A Prisoner of State had just made his Escape,
and pass'd under the Window of Zadig's House. Zadig
was examin'd thereupon, but was absolutely dumb.
However, as it was plainly prov'd upon him, that he did
look out of the Window at the same Time, he was
sentenc'd to pay five Hundred Ounces of Gold for that
Misdemeanor; and moreover, was oblig'd to thank the
Court for their Indulgence; a Compliment which the
Magistrates of Babylon expect to be paid them. Good
God! said he, to himself, have I not substantial Reason to
complain, that my impropitious Stars should direct me to
walk by a Wood's-Side, where the 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 a
Word, how difficult is it for a Man to be happy on this
Side the Grave?

28
 Chapter IV - The Envious Man
*
As Zadig had met with such a Series of Misfortunes, he
was determin'd to ease the Weight of them by the Study
of Philosophy, and the Conversation of select Friends.
He was still possess'd of a little pretty Box in the Out-
parts of Babylon, which was furnish'd in a good Taste;
where every Artist was welcome, and wherein he enjoy'd
all the rational Pleasures that a virtuous Man could well
wish for. In the Morning, his Library was always open
for the Use of the Learned; at Night his Table was fill'd
with the most agreeable Companions; but he was soon
sensible, by Experience, how dangerous it was to keep
learned Men Company. A warm Dispute arose about a
certain 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 that there must; for
otherwise Zoroaster could never have been so weak as to
give his Pupils such a Caution. Zadig, in order to
compromize the Matter, said; Gentlemen, If there are

29
such Creatures in Being, let us never touch them; and if
there are not, we are well assur'd we can't touch them; so
in either Case we shall comply with the Commandment.

A learned Man at the upper End of the Table, who had

compos'd thirteen Volumes, expatiating on every
Property of the Griffin, took this Affair in a very serious
Light, which would greatly have embarrass'd Zadig, but
for the Credit of a Magus, who was Brother to his Friend
Cador. From that Day forward, Zadig ever distinguish'd
and preferr'd good, before learned Company: He
associated with the most conversible Men, and the most
amiable Ladies in all Babylon; he made elegant
Entertainments, which were frequently preceded by a
Concert of Musick, and enliven'd by the most facetious
Conversation, in which, as he had felt the Smart of it, he
had laid aside all Thoughts of shewing his Wit, which is
not only the surest Proof that a Man has none, but the
most infallible Means to spoil all good Company.

Neither the Choice of his Friends, nor that of his Dishes,

was the Result 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; and by that Means, got a
greater real Character than he actually aim'd at.

Directly opposite to his House liv'd Arimazes, one puff'd

30
up with Pride, who not meeting with Success in the
World, sought his Revenge in railing against all
Mankind. Rich as he was, it was almost more than he
could accomplish, to procure ev'n any Parasites about
him. Tho' the rattling of the Chariots which stopp'd at
Zadig's Door was a perfect Nuisance to him; yet the
good Character which every Body gave him was still a
higher Provocation. He would sometimes intrude himself
upon Zadig, and set down at his Table without any
Invitation; when there, he would most certainly interrupt
the Mirth of the Company, as Harpies, they say, infect
the very Carrion that they eat.

Arimazes took it in his Head one Day to invite a young

Lady to an Entertainment; but she, instead of accepting
of his Offer, spent the Evening at Zadig's. Another Time,
as Zadig and he were chatting together at Court, a
Minister of State came up to them, and invited Zadig to
Supper, but took no Notice of Arimazes. The most
implacable Aversions have frequently no better
Foundations. This Gentleman, who was call'd the
envious Man, would have taken away the Life of Zadig if
he could because most People distinguish'd him by the
Title of the Happy Man. "An Opportunity of doing
Mischief, says Zoroaster, offers itself a hundred Times a
Day; but that of doing a Friend a good Office but once a
Year."

31
Arimazes went one Day to Zadig's House, when he was
walking in his Garden with two Friends, and a young
Lady, to whom he said Abundance of fine Things, with
no other Design but the innocent Pleasure of saying
them. Their Conversation turn'd on a War that the King
had happily put an End to, between him and his Vassal,
the Prince of Hyrcania. Zadig having signaliz'd himself
in that short War, commended his Majesty very highly,
but was more lavish of his Compliments on the Lady. He
took out his Pocket Book, and wrote four extempore
Verses on that Occasion, and gave them the Lady to
read. The Gentlemen then present begg'd to be oblig'd
with a Sight of them, as well as the Lady, But either thro'
Modesty, or rather a self-Consciousness that he hadn't
happily succeeded, he gave them a flat Denial. He was
sensible, that a sudden poetic Flight must prove insipid
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 the Company flew into
the House, but Arimazes. Notwithstanding the Shower,
he continued in the Garden, and never quitted it, till he
had found one Moiety of the Tablet, which was
unfortunately broke in such a Manner, that even the half
Lines were good sense, and good Metre, tho' very short.
But what was still more remarkably unfortunate, they

32
appear'd at first View, to be a severe satyr upon the 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 it now in his Power to ruin the most virtuous and
innocent of Men. Big with his execrable Joy, he flew to
his Majesty with this virulent Satyr of Zadig's under his
own Hand. Not only Zadig, but his two Friends and the
Lady were immediately close confin'd. His Cause was
soon 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, still spiteful, was heard to say, as he
went out of Court, with an Air of Contempt, that Zadig's
Lines were Treason indeed, but nothing more. Tho'
Zadig didn't value himself on Account of his Genius for
Poetry; yet he was almost distracted to find himself
condemn'd for the worst of Traitors, and his two Friends
and the Lady lock'd up in a Dungeon for a Crime, of
which he was no ways guilty. He wasn't permitted to
speak one Word for himself. His Pocket-Book was
sufficient Evidence against him. So strict were the Laws
of Babylon! He was carried to the Place of Execution,

33
through a Croud of Spectators, who durstn't condole with
him, and who flock'd about him, to observe whether his
Countenance chang'd, or whether he died with a good
Grace. His Relations were the only real Mourners; for
there was no Estate in Reversion for them; three Parts of
his Effects were confiscated for the King's Use, and the
fourth was devoted, as a Reward, to the use of the
Informer.

Just at the Time that he was preparing himself for Death,

the King's Parrot flew from her Balcony, into Zadig's
Garden, and alighted on a Rose-bush. A Peach, that had
been blown down, and drove by the Wind from an
adjacent Tree, just under the Bush, was glew'd, as it
were, to the other Moiety of the Tablet. Away flew the
Parrot with her Booty, and return'd to the King's Lap.
The Monarch, being somewhat curious, read the Words
on the broken Tablet, which had no Meaning in them as
he could perceive, but seem'd to be the broken Parts of a
Tetrastick. He was a great Admirer of Poetry; and the
odd Adventure of his Parrot, put him upon Reflection.
The Queen who recollected 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 the broken Pieces being
put together, they answered exactly the Indentures; and
then the Verses which Zadig had written, in a Flight of
Loyalty, ran thus,

34
 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

before him; 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 upon the Ground, and begg'd
their Majesty's Pardon for his little worthless, poetical
Attempt. He spoke, however, with such a becoming
Grace, and with so much Modesty and good Sense, that
the King and the Queen, ordered him to be brought
before them once again. He was brought accordingly,
and he pleas'd them still more and more. In short, they
gave him all the immense Estate of Arimazes, who had
so unjustly accus'd him; but Zadig generously return'd
the wicked Informer the Whole to a Farthing. The
envious Man, however, was no ways affected, but with
the Restoration of his Effects. Zadig every Day grew
more and more in Favour at Court. He was made a Party
in all the King's Pleasures, and nothing was done in the
Privy-Council without him. The Queen, from that very
Hour, shew'd him so much Respect, and spoke to him in
such soft and endearing Terms, that in Process of Time,
it prov'd of fatal Consequence to herself, her Royal
Consort, to Zadig, and the whole Kingdom. Zadig now

35
began to think it was not so difficult a Thing to be happy
as at first he imagin'd.

36
 Chapter 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, to distinguish that Citizen from
all the Rest, in the most solemn Manner, who had done
the most generous Action; and the Grandees and Magi
always sat as Judges. The Satrap inform'd them of every
praise-worthy Deed that occurr'd within his District. All
were put to the Vote, and the King himself pronounc'd
the Definitive Sentence. People of all Ranks and Degrees
came from the remotest Part 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 made use of the following Salutation. Receive this
Reward of your Generosity, and may the Gods grant me
Thousands of such valuable Subjects!

37
Upon this memorable Day, the King appear'd in all the
Pomp imaginable on his Throne of State, surrounded by
his Grandees, the Magi, and the Deputies, from all the
surrounding Nations, of every Province that attended
these public Sports, where Honour was to be acquir'd,
not by the Velocity of the best Race-Horse, or by bodily
Strength, but by intrinsic Merit. The principal Satrap
proclaim'd, with an audible Voice, such Actions as
would entitle the Victor to the inestimable Prize; but
never mention'd one Word of Zadig's Greatness of Soul,
in returning his invidious Neighbour all his Estate,
notwithstanding he would have taken away his Life: That
was but a Trifle, and not worth speaking of.

The first that was set up for the Prize, was a Judge, that
had occasion'd a Citizen to lose a very considerable
Cause, through some Mistake, for which he was no ways
responsible, and made him Restitution out of his private
Purse.

The next Candidate was a Youth, that tho' violently in

Love with one that he intended shortly to make his
Spouse, yet resign'd her to his Friend, who was just
expiring at her Feet; and moreover, gave her a Portion at
the same Time.

38
After this appear'd a Soldier, who, in the Hyrcanian War,
had done a much more glorious Action than the Lover. A
Gang of Hyrcanians having taken his Mistress from him,
he fought them bravely, and rescued her out of their
Hands: Soon after, he was inform'd, that another Band of
the same Party had hurried away his Mother to a Place
not far distant; he left his Mistress, all drown'd in Tears,
and ran to his Mother's Assistance: After that Skirmish
was over, he returned to his Sweet-heart, and found her
just expiring. He would fain have plung'd a Dagger into
his Heart that Moment; but his Mother remonstrated to
him, that, should he die, she should be entirely helpless,
and upon that Account only he had Courage to live a
little longer.

The Judges seem'd very much inclin'd to give their Votes

for the Soldier; but the King prevented them, by saying,
that the Soldier's Action was praise-worthy enough, and
so were those of the rest, but none of them give me any
Surprize. What Zadig did Yesterday perfectly struck me
with Astonishment. I'll mention another Instance. I had
some few Days ago, as a Testimony of my Resentment,
banish'd my Prime-Minister, and Favourite Coreb from
the Court. I complain'd of his Conduct in the warmest
Terms; and all my Sycophants about me, told me that I
was too merciful; and loaded him with the sharpest
Invectives. I ask'd Zadig what his Opinion was of Coreb;

39
and he dar'd to give him the best of Characters. I must
confess, I have read in our publick Records, indeed, of
Instances where Restitution have been generally made,
for Injuries committed by Mistake; where a Mistress has
been resign'd; and where a Mother has been preferr'd to a
Mistress; but I never read of a Courtier, that would speak
to the Advantage of a Minister in Disgrace, and against
whom the Sovereign was highly incens'd. I'll give 20,000
Pieces 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 of before; since you, who are
King of Kings, wasn't exasperated against your 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; the Lover, who had married his
Mistress to his Friend; the Soldier, who had preferr'd the
Welfare of his Mother to that of his Mistress; received
the promis'd Donation from the Monarch, and saw their
Names register'd in the Book of Fame: But Zadig had the
Cup. The King got the universal Character of a good
Prince, which he did not long preserve. This joyful Day
was solemniz'd with Festivals beyond the Time by Law
establish'd. Tragedies were acted there that drew Tears

40
from the Spectators; and Comedies that made them
laugh; Entertainments, that the Babylonians were perfect
Strangers to: The Commemoration of it is still preserv'd
in Asia. Now, said Zadig, I am happy at last; but he was
grosly mistaken.

41
 Chap VI — The Judgments
*
Young as Zadig was, he was constituted chief Judge of
all the Tribunals throughout the Empire. He fill'd the
Place, like one, whom the Gods had endow'd with the
strictest Justice, and the most solid Wisdom. It was to
him, the Nations round about were indebted for that
generous Maxim; that 'tis much more Prudence to acquit
two Persons, tho' actually guilty, than to pass Sentence
of Condemnation in one that is virtuous and innocent. It
was his firm Opinion, that the Laws were intended to be
a Praise to those who did well, as much as to be a Terror
to Evildoers. It was his peculiar Talent to render Truth as
obvious as possible: Whereas most Men study to render
it intricate and obscure. On the very first Day of his
Entrance into his High Office, he exerted this peculiar
Talent. A rich Merchant, and a Native of Babylon, died
in the Indies. He had made his Will, and appointed his
two Sons Joint-Heirs of his Estate, as soon as they had
settled their Sister, and married her with their mutual
Approbation. Moreover, he left a specific Legacy of

42
30,000 Pieces of Gold to that Son, who should, after his
Decease, be prov'd to love him best. The Eldest erected
to his Memory a very costly Monument: The Youngest
appropriated a considerable Part of his Bequest to the
Augmentation of his Sister's Fortune: Every one, without
Hesitation, gave the Preference to the Elder, allowing the
Younger to have the greatest Affection for his Sister. The
Legacy therefore was doubtless due to the Eldest.

Their Cause came before Zadig, and he examin'd them

apart. To the former, said Zadig, Your Father, Sir, is not
dead, as is reported, but being happily recover'd, is on his
Return to Babylon. God be praised, said the young Man!
but I hope the Expence I have been at in raising this
superb Monument will be consider'd. After this, Zadig
repeated the same Story to the Younger. God be praised,
said he! I will immediately restore all that he has left me;
but I hope my Father will not recal the little Present I
have made my Sister. You have nothing to restore, Sir;
you shall have the Legacy of the thirty thousand Pieces;
for 'tis you that have the greatest Veneration for your
deceased Father.

A young Lady that was very rich, had entred into a

Marriage-Contract with two Magis; and having receiv'd
Instructions from both Parties for some Months, she
prov'd with Child. They were both ready and willing to

43
marry her. But, said she, he shall be my Husband, that
has put me into a Capacity of serving my Country, by
adding one to it. 'Tis I, Madam, that have answered that
valuable End, said one; but the other insisted 'twas his
Operation. Well! said she, since this is a Moot-point, I'll
acknowledge him for the Father of the Child, that will
give him the most liberal Education. In a short Time
after, my Lady was brought to Bed of a hopeful Boy.
Each of them 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 propose to pursue for the
Improvement of your young Pupil? He shall first be
grounded, said this learned Pedagogue, in the Eight Parts
of Speech; then I'll teach him Logic, Astrology, Magick,
the wide Difference between the Terms Substance and
Accident, Abstract and Concrete, &c. &c. As for my
Part, Sir, I shall take another Course, said the second; I'll
do my utmost to make him an honest Man, and
acceptable to his Friends. Upon this, Zadig said, you, Sir,
shall marry the Mother, 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 was possess'd of a very
considerable Estate, notwithstanding he had squander'd
away a great Part of it, by indulging himself in all

44
Manner of expensive Pleasures. It was but seldom that an
Inferior was suffer'd to speak to him; but not a Soul durst
contradict him: No Peacock was more gay; no Turtle
more amorous; and no Tortoise more indolent and
inactive. He made false Glory and false Pleasures his
sole Pursuit.

Zadig, undertaking to cure him, sent him forthwith, as by

express Order from the King, a Musick-Master with
twelve Voices, and 24 Violins, as his Attendants; a Head
Steward, with six Men Cooks, and 4 Chamberlains, who
were never to be out of his Sight. The King issued 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 his Eyes, his Musick-Master, with the Voices and
Violins, entred his Apartment. They sang a Cantata, that
lasted two Hours and three Minutes. Every three Minutes
the Chorus, or Burthen of the Song, was to 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

45
him in a formal Harangue for three Quarters of an Hour
without ceasing; wherein he took Occasion to extol every
Virtue to which he was a perfect Stranger; when the
Oration was over, he was conducted to Dinner, where the
Musicians were all in waiting, and play'd, as soon as he
was seated at his Table. Dinner lasted three Hours before
he condescended to speak a Word. When he did; you say
Right, Sir, said the chief Chamberlain; scarce had he
utter'd four Words more, but Right, Sir, said the second.
The other two Chamberlain's Time was taken up in
laughing with Admiration at Irax's Smart Repartees, or at
least such as he ought to have made. After the Cloth was
taken away, the adulating Chorus was repeated.

This first Day Irax was all in Raptures; he imagin'd, that

this Honour done him by the King of Kings, was the sole
Result of his exalted Merit. The second wasn't altogether
so agreeable; The third prov'd somewhat troublesome;
the fourth insupportable; the fifth was tormenting; and at
last, he was perfectly outrageous at the continual 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 his Chamberlain, his Musick-Master, and all his
Retinue, his Head Steward and his Cooks, and promis'd,
in the most submissive Manner, to be less vain, and more
industrious for the future. Tho' he didn't require so much

46
Adulations, nor such grand Entertainments, he was much
more happy; for, as Sadder has it, One continued Scene
of Pleasure, is no Pleasure at all.

Zadig every Day gave incontestable Proofs of his

wondrous Penetration, and the Goodness of his Heart; he
was ador'd by the People, and was the Darling of the
King. The little Difficulties that he met with in the first
Stage of his Life, serv'd only to augment his present
Felicity. Every Night, however, he had some unlucky
Dream or another, that gave him some Disturbance. One
while, he imagin'd himself extended on a Bed of wither'd
Plants, amongst which there were some that were sharp
pointed, and made him very restless and uneasy; another
Time, he fancied himself repos'd on a Bed of Roses, out
of which rush'd a Serpent, that stung him to the Heart
with his envenom'd Tongue. Alas! said he, waking, I was
one while upon a Bed of hard and nauseous Plants, and
just this Moment repos'd on a Bed of Roses. But then the
Serpent.—

47
 Chapter 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 he had familiar Converse with
the King, his Royal Master, and his august Consort,
Astarte. And the Pleasure arising from thence was
greatly enhanc'd from an innate Ambition of pleasing,
which, in regard to Wit, is the same, as Dress is to
Beauty. His Youth, and graceful Deportment, had a
greater Influence on Astarte, than she was at first aware
of. Tho' her Affection for him daily encreas'd; yet she
was perfectly innocent. Astarte would say, without the
least Reserve or Apprehension of Fear, that she was
extreamly pleas'd with the Company of one, who was,
not only a Favourite of her Husband, but the Darling of
the whole Empire. She was continually speaking in his
Commendation before the King: He was the Subject of
her whole Discourse amongst her Ladies of Honour, who

48
were as lavish of their Praises as herself. Such repeated
Discourses, 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 the Result of a greater
Value for him than she intended. She said no more of
him, as she thought, than a Queen might innocently do,
who was perfectly assur'd of his Attachment to her
Husband; sometimes, indeed, she would express her self
with an Air of Tenderness and Affection.

Astarte was much handsomer than either his Mistress

Semira, who had such a natural Antipathy to a one-eyed
Lord, or Azora, his late loving Spouse, that would
innocently have cut his Nose off. The Freedoms which
Astarte took, her tender Expressions, at which she began
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 could to smother it; he call'd
up all the Philosophy he was Master of to his Aid; but all
in vain, for no Consolation arose from those Reflections.

Duty, Gratitude, and an injur'd Monarch, presented

themselves before his Eyes, as avenging Deities: He
bravely struggled; he triumph'd indeed; but this Conquest
over his Passions, which he was oblig'd to check every

49
Moment, cost him many a deep Sigh and Tear. He durst
not talk with the Queen any more, with that Freedom
which was too engaging on both Sides; his Eyes were
obnubilated; his Discourse was forc'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'd in Silence to intimate, that they were afraid
of being in love with each other; and that both burn'd
with a Fire which both condemn'd.

Zadig flew from her Presence, like one beside himself,

and in Despair; his Heart was over-charg'd with a
Burthen, too great for him to bear: In the Heat of his
Conflicts, he disclos'd the Secrets of his Heart to his
trusty Friend Cador, as one, who, having long groan'd
under the Weight of an inexpressible Anguish of Mind,
at once makes known the Cause of his Torments by the
Groans, as it were, extorted from him, and by the Drops
of a cold Sweat, that trickled down his Cheeks.

Cador said to him; 'tis now some considerable Time

since, I have discover'd that secret Passion which you
have foster'd in your Bosom, and yet endeavour'd to
conceal even from your self. The Passions carry along
with them such strong Impressions, that they cannot be
conceal'd. Tell me ingenuously Zadig; and be your own

50
Accuser, whether or no, since I have made this
Discovery, the King has not shewn some visible Marks
of his Resentment. He has no other Foible, but that of
being the most jealous Mortal breathing. You take more
Pains to check the Violence of your Passion, than the
Queen herself does; because you are a Philosopher;
because, in short, you are Zadig; Astarte is but a weak
Woman; and tho' her Eyes speak too visibly, and with
too much Imprudence; yet she does not think her self
blame-worthy. Being conscious of her Innocence, to her
own Misfortune, as well as yours, she is too unguarded. I
tremble for her; because I am sensible her Conscience
acquits her. Were you both agreed, you might conceal
your Regard for each other from all the World: A rising
Passion, that is smother'd, breaks out into a Flame; Love,
when once gratified, knows how to conceal itself with
Art. Zadig shudder'd at the Proposition of ungratefully
violating the Bed of his Royal Benefactor; and never was
there a more loyal Subject to a Prince, tho' guilty of an
involuntary Crime. The Queen, however, repeated the
Name of Zadig so often, and her Cheeks glow'd with
such a red, when ever she utter'd it; she was one while so
transported, and at another, so dejected, when the
Discourse turn'd upon him in the King's Presence; she
was in such a Reverie, so confus'd and stupid, when he
went out of the Presence, that her Deportment made the
King extremely uneasy. He was convinc'd of every

51
Thing he saw, and form'd in his Mind an Idea of a
thousand Things he did not see. He observ'd,
particularly, that Astarte's Sandals were blue; so Zadig's
were blue likewise; that as the Queen wore yellow
Ribbands, Zadig's Turbet was of the same Colour: These
were shocking Circumstances for a Monarch of his Cast
of Mind to 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 and Queens: They soon discover'd that Astarte
was fond, and Moabdar jealous. Arimazius, his envious
Foe, who was as incorrigible as ever; for Flints will
never soften; and Creatures, that are by Nature
venemous, forever retain their Poison. Arimazius, I say,
wrote an anonymous Letter to Moabdar, the infamous
Recourse of sordid Spirits, who are the Objects of
universal Contempt; but in this Case, an Affair of the last
Importance; because this Letter tallied with the baneful
Suggestions that Monarch had conceiv'd. In short, his
Thoughts were now wholly bent upon Revenge. He
determin'd to poison Astarte on a certain Night, and to
have Zadig strangled by Break of Day. Orders for that
Purpose were expressly given to a merciless, inhuman
Eunuch, the ready Executioner of his Vengeance. At that
critical Conjuncture, there happen'd to be a Dwarf, who
was dumb, but not deaf, in the King's Apartment.

52
Nobody regarded him: He was an Eye and Ear-witness of
all that pass'd, and yet no more suspected than any
irrational Domestic Animal. This little Dwarf had
conceiv'd a peculiar Regard for Astarte and Zadig: He
heard, with equal Horror and Surprize, the King's Orders
to destroy them both. But how to prevent those Orders
from being put into Execution, as the Time was so short,
was all his Concern. He could not write, 'tis true, but he
had luckily learnt to draw, and take a Likeness. He spent
a good Part of the Night in delineating with Crayons, on
a Piece of Paper, the imminent Danger that thus attended
the Queen. In one Corner, he represented the King highly
incens'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, to denote, that this
execrable Scene was to be exhibited by Break of Day.
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, and gave 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'd into his Hands a
Billet from the Queen. At first he could not well tell

53
whether he was only in a Dream or not, but soon read the
Letter, with a trembling Hand, and a heavy Heart: Words
can't express his Surprise, and the Agonies of Despair
which he was in upon 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 which I have long
struggled, and which I now venture to discover, as I am
to make Atonement for it, in a few Moments, by the Loss
of my Life. Tho' I am conscious to myself of my
Innocence, I find I am to feel the Weight of my Husband's
Resentment, and die the Death of a Traitor.

Zadig was scarce able to speak. He order'd his Friend

Cador to be instantly call'd, and gave him the Letter the
Moment he came, without opening his Lips. Cador
press'd him to regard the Contents, and to make the best
of his Way to Memphis. If you presume, said he, to have
an Interview with her Majesty first, you inevitably hasten
her Execution; or if you wait upon the King, the fatal
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 are gone to the Indies: I'll wait on you as soon as
the Hurricane is blown over, and I'll let you know all that
occurs material in Babylon.

Cador, that Instant, order'd two of the fleetest

54
Dromedaries that could be got, to be in readiness at a
private Back-Door belonging to the Court; he help'd
Zadig to mount his Beast, tho' ready to drop into the
Earth. He had but one trusty Servant to attend him, and
Cador, overwhelm'd with Grief, soon lost Sight of his
dearly beloved 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 fainted away; and when he had
recover'd his Senses, he drown'd his Eyes in a Flood of
Tears, and with Impatience wish'd for Death. To
conclude, after he had reflected, with Horror, on the
deplorable Fate of the most amiable Creature in the
Universe, and of the most meritorious Queen that ever
liv'd; he for a Moment commanded his Passion, and with
a Sigh, made the following Exclamations: What is this
mortal Life! O Virtue, Virtue, of what Service hast thou
been to me! Two young Ladies, a Mistress, and a Wife,
have prov'd false to me; a third, who is perfectly
innocent, and ten thousand Times handsomer than either
of them, has suffer'd Death, 'tis probable, before this, on
my Account! All the Acts of Benevolence which I have
shewn, have been the Foundation of my Sorrows, and I
have been only rais'd to the highest Spoke of Fortune's
Wheel, for no other Purpose than to be tumbled down

55
with the greater Force. Had I been as abandon'd as some
Miscreants are, I had like them been happy. His Head
thus overwhelm'd with these melancholy Reflections, his
Eyes thus sunk in his Head, and his meagre Cheeks all
pale and languid; and, in a Word, his very Soul thus
plung'd in the Abyss of deep Despair, he pursu'd his
Journey towards Egypt.

56
 Chapter 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 him towards the Pole of Canope. He
reflected with Admiration on those immense Globes of
Light, which appear'd to the naked Eye no more than
little twinkling Lights; whereas the Earth he was then
traversing, which, in Reality, is no more than an
imperceptible Point in Nature, seem'd, according to the
selfish Idea we generally entertain of it, something very
immense, and very magnificent. He then reflected on the
whole Race of Mankind, and look'd upon them, as they
are in Fact, a Parcel of Insects, or Reptiles, devouring
one another on a small Atom of Clay. This just Idea of
them greatly alleviated his Misfortunes, recollecting the
Nothingness, if we may be allow'd the Expression, of his
own Being, and even of Babylon itself. His capacious
Soul now soar'd into Infinity, and he contemplated, with

57
the same Freedom, as if she was disencumber'd from 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 her Life for his Sake; upon which, his
Thoughts of the Universe vanish'd all at once, and no
other Objects appear'd before his distemper'd Eyes, but
his Astarte giving up the Ghost, and himself
overwhelm'd with a Sea of Troubles: As he gave himself
up to this Flux and Reflux of sublime Philosophy and
Anxiety of Mind, he was insensibly arriv'd on the
Frontiers of Egypt: And his trusty Attendant had,
unknown to him, stept into the first Village, and sought
out for a proper Apartment for his Master and himself.
Zadig in the mean Time 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 in Tears, calling
upon Heaven and Earth for Succour in her Distress, and a
Man, fir'd with Rage and Resentment, in pursuit after
her. He had now just overtaken her, and she fell prostrate
at his Feet imploring his Forgiveness. He loaded her with
a thousand Reproaches; nor did he spare to chastise her
in the most outrageous Manner. By the Egyptian's cruel
Deportment towards her, he concluded that the Man was
a jealous Husband, and that the Lady was an Inconstant,
and had defil'd his Bed: But when he reflected, that the
Woman was a perfect Beauty, and to his thinking

58
something like the unfortunate Astarte, he perceiv'd his
Heart yearn with Compassion towards the Lady, and
swell with Indignation against her Tyrant. For Heaven's
sake, Sir, assist me, said she, to Zadig, sobbing as if her
Heart would 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. And as he had
some smattering of the Egyptian Tongue, he
expostulated with him in his own Dialect, and said: Dear
Sir, if you are endow'd with the least Spark of Humanity,
let me conjure you to have some Pity 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 of Nature's Master-pieces, in such a rude and
outrageous Manner, one who lies weeping at your Feet
for Forgiveness, and one who has no other Recourse than
her Tears for her Defence? Oh! Oh! said the jealous-
pated Fellow in a Fury to Zadig, What! You are one of
her Gallants, I suppose. I'll be reveng'd of thee, thou
Villain, this Moment. No sooner were the Words out of
his Mouth, but he quits hold of the Lady, in whose Hair
he had twisted his Fingers before, takes up his Lance in a
Fury, and endeavours to the utmost of his Pow'r to
plunge it in the Stranger's Heart: Zadig, however, being
cool, warded the intended Blow with Ease. He laid fast
hold of his Lance towards the Point. One strove to

59
recover it, and the other to snatch it away by Force. They
broke it between them. Whereupon the Egyptian drew
his Sword. Zadig drew his: They fought: The former
made a hundred rash Passes one after another, which the
latter parried with the utmost Dexterity. The Lady sat
herself upon a Grass-plat, adjusting her Head-dress, and
looking on the Combatants. The Egyptian was too strong
for Zadig, but Zadig was more nimble and active. The
latter fought as a Man whose Hand was guided by his
Head; the former as a Mad-man who dealt about his
Blows at random. Zadig took the Advantage, made a
Plunge at him, and disarm'd him. And forasmuch as he
found that the Egyptian was hotter than ever, and
endeavour'd all he could to throw him down by Dint of
Strength, Zadig laid fast hold of him, flew upon him, and
tripp'd up his Heels: After that, holding the Point of his
Sword to his Breast, like a Man of Honour, gave him his
Life. The Egyptian, fir'd with Rage, and having no
Command of his Passion, drew his Dagger, and wounded
Zadig like a Coward, whilst the Victor generously
forgave him. Upon that unexpected Action, Zadig, being
incens'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 the softest Terms told her, that
he was oblig'd to kill her Insulter, tho' against his
Inclinations. I have aveng'd your Cause, and deliver'd

60
you out of the merciless Hands of the most outrageous
Man I ever saw. Now, Madam, let me know your farther
Will and Pleasure with me. You shall die, you Villain!
You have murder'd my Love. Oh! I could tear your Heart
out. Indeed, Madam, said Zadig, you had one of the most
hot-headed, oddest Lovers I ever saw. He beat you most
unmercifully, and would have taken away my Life
because you call'd me in to your Assistance. Would to
God he was but alive to beat me again, said she,
blubbering and roaring; I deserv'd to be beat. I gave him
too just Occasion to be jealous of me. Would to God that
he had beat me, and you had died in his Stead! Zadig
more astonish'd, and more exasperated than ever he was
in all his Life, said to her: Really, Madam, you put on
such extravagant Airs, that you tempt me, pretty as you
are, to thresh you most cordially in my Turn; 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 the Village: But before he had got near a
hundred Yards, he return'd upon an Out-cry that was
made by four Couriers from Babylon. They rode full
Speed. One of them, spying the young Widow, cried out.
There she is, That's she. She answers in every Respect to
the Description we had of her. They never took the least
Notice of her dead Gallant, but secur'd her directly. Oh!
Sir, cried she to Zadig, again and again, dear Sir, most
generous Stranger, once more deliver me from a Pack of

61
Villains. I most humbly beg your Pardon for my late
Conduct and unjust Complaint of you. Do but stand my
Friend, at this critical Conjuncture, and I'll be your most
obedient Vassal till Death. Zadig had now no Inclination
to fight for one so undeserving any more. Find some
other to be your Fool now, Madam; you shan't impose
upon me a second Time. I'll assure you, Madam, I know
better Things. Besides he was wounded; and bled so fast
that he wanted Assistance himself: And 'tis very
probable, that the Sight of the Babylonian Couriers, who
were dispatch'd from King Moabdar, might discompose
him very much. He made all the Haste he could towards
the Village, not being able to conceive what should 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, what to think of such a Termagant and a Coquet.

62
 Chapter IX - The Captive
*
No sooner was Zadig arriv'd at the Egyptian Village
before-mention'd, but he found himself surrounded by a
Croud. The People one and all cried out! See! See!
there's the Man that ran away with the beauteous Lady
Missouf, and murder'd Cletofis. Gentlemen, said he, God
forbid that I should ever entertain a Thought of running
away with the Lady you speak of: She is too much of a
Coquet: And as to Cletofis, I did not murder him, but
kill'd him in my own Defence. He endeavour'd all he
could to take my Life away, because I entreated him to
take some Pity and Compassion on the beauteous
Missouf, whom he beat most unmercifully. I am a
Stranger, who am fled hither for Shelter, and 'tis highly
improbable, that upon my first Entrance into a Country,
where I came for Safety and Protection, I should be
guilty of two such enormous Crimes, as that of running
away with another Man's Partner, and that of
clandestinely murdering him on her Account.

63
The Egyptians at that Time were just and humane. The
Populace, tis true, hurried Zadig to the Town-Goal; but
they took care in the first Place to stop the Bleeding of
his Wounds, and afterwards examin'd the suppos'd
Delinquents apart, in order to discover, if possible, the
real Truth. They acquitted Zadig of the Charge of wilful
and premeditated Murder; but as he had taken a Subject's
Life away, tho' in his own Defence, he was sentenc'd to
be a Slave, as the Law directed. His two Beasts were sold
in open Market, for the Service of the Hamlet; What
Money he had was distributed amongst the Inhabitants;
and he and his Attendant were expos'd in the Market-
place to public Sale. An Arabian Merchant, Setoc by
Name, purchas'd them both; but as the Valet, or
Attendant, was a robust Man, and better cut out for hard
Labour than the Master, he fetch'd the most Money.
There was no Comparison to be made between them.
Zadig therefore was a Slave subordinate to his Valet;
they secur'd them both, however, by a Chain upon their
Legs; and so link'd they accompanied their Master home.
Zadig, as they were on the Road, comforted his Fellow-
Slave, and exhorted him to bear his Misfortunes with
Patience: But, according to Custom, he made several
Reflections on the Vicissitudes of human Life. I am now
sensible, said he, that my impropitious Fortune has some
malignant Influence over thine; every Occurrence of my
Life hitherto has prov'd strangely odd and unaccountable.

64
In the first Place, I was sentenc'd to die at Babylon, for
writing a short Panegyrick on the King, my Master. In
the next, I narrowly escap'd being strangled, for the
Queen his Royal Consort's speaking a little too much in
my Favour; and here I am a joint-Slave with thy self;
because a turbulent Fellow of a Gallant would beat his
Lady. However, Comrade, let us march on boldly; let not
our Courage be cast down; all this may possibly have a
happier Issue than we expect. 'Tis absolutely necessary
that these Arabian Merchants should have Slaves, and
why should not you and I, as we are but Men, be Slaves
as Thousands of others are? This Master of ours may not
prove inexorable. He must treat his Slaves with some
Thought and Consideration, if he expects them to do his
Work. This was his Discourse to his Comrade; but his
Mind was more attentive to the Misfortunes of the Queen
of Babylon.

Two Days afterwards Setoc set out with his two Slaves
and his Camels, 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; and therefore what
little Distinctions were made, they were in his Favour. It
so happen'd that one of the Camels died upon the Road:
The Load which the Beast carried was immediately

65
divided, and thrown upon the Shoulders of the two
Slaves; Zadig had his Share. Setoc, couldn't forbear
laughing to see his two Slaves crouching under their
Burthen. Zadig took the Liberty to explain the Reason
thereof; and convinc'd him of the Laws of the
Equilibrium. The Merchant was a little startled at his
philosophical Discourse, and look'd upon him with a
more favourable Eye than at first. Zadig, perceiving he
had rais'd his Curiosity, redoubled it, by instructing him
in several material Points, which were in some Measure,
advantageous to him in his Way of Business: Such as,
the specific Weight of Metals, and other Commodities of
various Kinds, of an equal Bulk; the Properties of several
useful Animals, and the best Ways and Means to make
Such as were wild, tame by Degrees, and fit for Service:
In short, Zadig was look'd upon by his Master, as a
perfect Oracle. Setoc now thought the Master the much
better Man of the two. He us'd him courteously, and had
no Room to repent of his Indulgence towards him.

Being got to their Journey's End, the first Step that Setoc
took was to claim a Debt of five hundred Ounces of
Silver of a Jew, who had borrow'd it in the Presence of
two Witnesses; but both of them were dead; and as the
Jew was conscious he couldn't be cast for Want of
Evidence, appropriated the Merchant's Money to his own
Use, and thank'd God that it lay in his Power for once to

66
bite an Arabian with Impunity. Setoc discover'd to Zadig
the unhappy Situation of his Case, as he was now
become his Confident. Where was it, pray, said Zadig,
that you lent this large Sum to that ungrateful Infidel?
Upon a large Stone, said the Merchant, at the Foot 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 the worst of Pay-masters in the
World, but the merriest, most sprightly Fellow I ever met
with. Very well! said Zadig, let me be one of your
Council when your Cause comes to be heard. In short, he
summon'd the Jew to attend the Court; where, when the
Judge was sat, Zadig open'd the Cause: Thou impartial
Judge of this Court of Equity, I am come here, in behalf
of my Master, to demand of the Defendant five hundred
Ounces of Silver, which he refuses to pay, and would
fain traverse the Debt. Have you, Friend, your Witnesses
ready to prove the Loan, said the Judge? No, they are
dead; but there is a large Stone still subsisting, on which
the Money was deposited; and if your Excellence, will be
pleas'd to order the Stone to be brought in Court, I don't
doubt but the Evidence it will give, will be Proof
sufficient of the Fact. I hope your Excellence will order,
that the Jew and myself shall be oblig'd to attend the
Court, till the Stone comes, and I'll dispatch a special

67
Messenger to fetch it, at my Master's Expence. Your
Request is very reasonable, said the Judge. Do as you
propose; and so call'd another Cause.

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 the Stone will appear in Court;
for 'tis above six Mile off, and it will require fifteen Men
to remove it from its Place. 'Tis well! replied Zadig. I
told your Excellence that the Stone would be a very
material Evidence. Since the Defendant can point out the
Place where the Stone lies, he tacitly confesses, that it
was upon that Stone the Money was deposited. The Jew
thus unexpectedly confuted, was soon 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 were soon paid accordingly, and the Jew
releas'd. The Slave Zadig, and this remarkable Stone-
Witness, were in great Repute all over Arabia.

68
 Chapter 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 in the Conduct of his Affairs, as
the King of Babylon had before done in 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 very much concern'd, that One of so
much Sense should pay divine Adoration to a whole Host
of created, tho' Celestial Beings, that is to say, the Sun,
Moon, and Stars, according to the antient Custom of the
Arabians. He talk'd, at first, to his Master, with great
Precaution on so important a Topick. But at last told him,
in direct Terms, that they were created Bodies, as others,
tho' of less Lustre, and that there was no more Adoration
due to them, than to a Stock or a Stone. But, said Setoc,
they are eternal Beings to whom we are indebted for all

69
the Blessings we enjoy; they animate Nature; they
regulate the Seasons; they are, in a Word, at such an
infinite Distance from us, that it would be downright
impious not to adore them. You are more indebted, said
Zadig, to the Waters of the Red Sea, which transport so
many valuable Commodities into the Indies. Why, pray,
may not they be deem'd as antient as the Stars? And if
you are so fond of paying your Adoration on Account of
their vast Distance; why don't you adore the Land of the
Gangarides, which lies in the utmost Extremities of the
Earth. No, said Setoc, there is something so surprisingly
more brilliant in the Stars than what you 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 Candles in the Front of his Tent, where Setoc and he
were to sup that Night: And as soon as he perceiv'd his
Patron to be at the Door, he fell 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 hear them, he sat down to Table, without taking
the least Notice of Setoc. What! said Setoc, somewhat
startled at his Conduct, art thou at thy Prayers before
Supper? I act just as inconsistently, Sir, as you do; I
worship these Candles; without reflecting on their
Makers, or yourself, who are my most beneficent Patron.

70
Setoc took the Hint, and was conscious of the Reproof
that was conceal'd so genteely under a Vail. The superior
Wisdom of his Slave enlightned his Mind; and from that
Hour he was less lavish than ever he had been, of his
Incense to those created Beings, and for the future, 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 with the Sanction of the bigotted
Brachmans, threatn'd to spread its Infection 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 the Widow's Sacrifice. That Tribe which could
boast of the greatest Number of burnt-Widows, was
look'd upon as the most meritorious. An Arabian, who
was of the Tribe of Setoc, happen'd just at that Juncture,
to be dead, and his Widow (Almona by Name) who was
a noted Devotee, publish'd the Day, nay, the Hour, that
she propos'd to throw herself (according to Custom) on
her deceased Husband's Funeral 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 young
Widows, almost every Day, to become wilful Self-

71
Murderers; when they might be of Service to their
Country, either by the Addition of new Subjects, or by
the Education of such as demanded their Maternal
Indulgence. And, by arguing seriously with Setoc for
some Time, he forc'd from him at last, an ingenuous
Confession, that the barbarous Custom then subsisting,
ought, if possible, to be abolish'd. 'Tis now, replied
Setoc, above a thousand Years since the Widows of
Arabia have been indulg'd with this Privilege of dying
with their Husbands; and how shall any one dare to
abrogate a Law that has been establish'd Time out of
Mind? Is there any Thing more inviolable than even an
antient Error? But, replied Zadig, Reason is of more
antient Date than the Custom you plead for. Do you
communicate these Sentiments to the Sovereigns of your
Tribes, and in the mean while I'll go, and sound the
Widow's Inclinations.

Accordingly he paid her a Visit, and having insinuated

himself into her Favour, by a few Compliments on her
Beauty, after urging what a pity it was, that a young
Widow, Mistress of so many Charms, should make away
with herself for no other reason but to mingle her Ashes
with a Husband that was dead; he, notwithstanding,
applauded her for her heroic Constancy and Courage. I
perceive, Madam, said he, you was excessively fond of
your deceased Spouse. Not I truly, reply'd the young

72
Arabian Devotee. He was a Brute, infected with a
groundless Jealousy of my Virtue; and, in short, a perfect
Tyrant. But, notwithstanding all this, I am determin'd to
comply with our Custom. Surely then, Madam, there's a
Sort of secret Pleasure in being burnt alive. Alas! with a
Sigh, cried Almona, 'tis a Shock indeed to Nature; but
must be complied with for all that. I am a profess'd
Devotee, and should I shew the least Reluctance, my
Reputation would be lost for ever; all the World would
laugh at me, should I not burn myself on this Occasion:
Zadig having forc'd her ingenuously to confess, that she
parted with her Life more out of Regard to what the
World would say of her, and out of Pride and
Ostentation, than any real Love for the deceas'd, he talk'd
to her for some considerable Time so rationally, and us'd
so many prevailing Arguments with her to justify her due
Regard for the Life which she was going to throw away,
that she began to wave the Thought, and entertain a
secret Affection for her friendly Monitor. Pray, Madam,
tell me, said Zadig, how would you dispose of yourself,
upon the Supposition, that you could shake off this vain
and barbarous Notion? Why, said Dame, with an
amorous Glance, I think verily I should accept of
yourself for a second Bed-fellow.

The Memory of Astarte had made too strong an

Impression on his Mind, to close with this warm

73
Declaration: He took his leave, however, that Moment,
and waited on the Chiefs. He communicated to them the
Substance of their private Conversation, and prevailed
with them to make it a Law for the future, that no Widow
should be allow'd to fall a Victim to a deceased Husband,
till after she had admitted some young Man to converse
with her in private for a whole Hour together. The Law
was pass'd accordingly, and not one Widow in all
Arabia, from that Day to this, ever observ'd the Custom.
'Twas to Zadig alone that the Arabian Dames were
indebted for the Abolition, in one Hour, of a Custom so
very inhuman, that had been practis'd for such a Number
of Ages. Zadig, therefore, with the strictest Justice, was
look'd upon by all the Fair Sex in Arabia, as their most
bountiful Benefactor.

74
 Chapter XI - The Evening's
Entertainment
*
Setoc, who would never stir out without his Bosom-
Friend (in whom alone, as he thought, all Wisdom
center'd) resolv'd to take him with him to Balzora Fair,
whither the richest Merchants round the whole habitable
Globe, us'd annually to resort. Zadig was delighted to see
such a Concourse of substantial Tradesmen from all
Countries, assembled together in one Place. It appear'd to
him, as if the whole Universe was but one large Family,
and all happily met together at Balzora. On the second
Day of the Fair, he sat down to Table with an Egyptian,
an Indian, that liv'd on the Banks of the River Ganges,
an Inhabitant of Cathay, a Grecian, a Celt, and several
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 is this Balzora, said he,

75
where they refuse to lend me a thousand Ounces of Gold,
upon the best Security that can possibly be offer'd. Pray,
said Setoc, what may the Commodity be that you would
deposit as a Pledge for the Sum you mention. Why, the
Corpse of my deceased Aunt, said he, who was one of
the finest Women in all Egypt. She was my constant
Companion; but unhappily died upon the Road. I have
taken so much Care, that no Mummy whatever can equal
it: And was I in my own Country, I could be furnish'd
with what Sum soever I pleas'd, were I dispos'd to
mortgage it. 'Tis a strange Thing that Nobody here will
advance so small a Sum upon so valuable a Commodity.
No sooner had he express'd his Resentment, but he was
going 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, cried out, For God's Sake what are
you about? Why, said the Egyptian, I design to make a
Wing of this Fowl one Part of my Supper. Pray, good
Sir, consider what you are doing, said the Indian. 'Tis
very possible, that the Soul of the deceas'd Lady may
have taken its Residence in that Fowl. And you wouldn't
surely run the Risque of eating up your Aunt? To boil a
Fowl is, doubtless, a most shameful Outrage done to
Nature. Pshaw! What a Pother you make about the
boiling of a Fowl, and flying in the Face of Nature,
replied the Egyptian in a Pet; tho' we Egyptians pay
divine Adoration to the Ox; yet we can make a hearty

76
Meal of a Piece of roast Beef for all that. Is it possible,
Sir, that your Country-men should act so absurdly, as to
pay an Ox the Tribute of divine Worship, said the
Indian? Absurd as you think it, said the other, the Ox has
been the principal Object of Adoration all over Egypt, for
these hundred 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 must be out a little
in your Calculation. 'Tis but about fourscore thousand
Years, since India was first inhabited. Sure I am, we are
a more antient People than you are, and our Brama
prohibited the eating of Beef long before your Nation
ever erected an Altar in Honour of the Ox, or ever put
one upon a Spit. What a Racket you make about your
Brama! Is he able to stand the least in Competition 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 and read; and 'tis to him alone, all the World is
indebted for the Invention of the noble Game of Chess.
You are quite out, Sir, in your Notion, said a Chaldean,
who sat within Hearing: All these invaluable Blessings
were deriv'd from the Fish Oannés; and 'tis that alone to
which the Tribute of divine Adoration is justly due. All
the World will tell you, that 'twas a divine Being whose
Tail was pure Gold, whose Head resembled that of a

77
Man, tho' indeed the Features were much more beautiful;
and that he condescended to visit the Earth three Hours
every Day, for the Instruction of Mankind. He had a
numerous Issue, as is very well known, and all of them
were powerful Monarchs. I have a Picture of it at Home,
to which, as in Duty I ought, I Say my Prayers at Night
before I go to Bed, and every 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 mortal Sin, a Crime of
the blackest Dye, to touch a Piece of Fish. Besides, you
cannot justly boast of so illustrious an Origin, and you
are both 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 dated 4000 Centuries
backwards. Take my Word for it; I speak nothing but
Truth; renounce your Errors, and I'll make each of you a
Present of a fine Portrait of our Oannés.

A Native of Cambalu, entring into the Debate, said, I

have a very great Veneration, not only for the Egyptians,
Chaldeans, Greeks, and Celtæ; but for Brama, Apis, and
the Oannés, but in my humble Opinion, the Li[2], or as
'tis by some call'd, the Tien[3], is an Object more
deserving of divine Adoration than any Ox, or Fish, how
much soever you may boast of their respective
Perfections. All I shall say, in regard to my native

78
Country, 'tis of much greater Extent, than all Egypt,
Chaldea, and the Indies put together. I shall lay no Stress
on the Antiquity of my Country; for I imagine 'tis of
much greater Importance to be the happiest People, than
the most antient under the Sun. However, since you were
talking of the Almanacks, I must beg the Liberty to tell
you, that ours are look'd upon to be the best all over
Asia; and that we had several very correct ones before
the Art of Arithmetick was ever heard of in Chaldea.

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 the World, as it now stands, is owing
wholly to Matter and Form. The Greek ran on for a
considerable Time; but was at last interrupted by a Celt,
who having drank deep, during the whole Time of this
Debate, thought himself ten Times wiser than any of his
Antagonists; and wrapping out a great Oath, insisted, that
all their Gods were nothing, if set in Competition with
the Teutath or the Misletoe on the Oak. As for my part,
said he, I carry some of it always in my Pocket: As to my
Ancestors, they were Scythians, and the only Men worth
talking of in the whole World: 'Tis true, indeed, they
would now and then make a Meal of their Country-men,
but that ought not to be urg'd as any Objection to his
Country; and, in short, if any one of you, or all of you,
shall dare to say any thing disrespectful of Teutath, I'll

79
defend its Cause to the last Drop of my Blood. The
Quarrel grew warmer and warmer, and Setoc expected
that the Table would be overset, and that Blood-shed
would ensue. Zadig, who hadn't once open'd his Lips
during the whole Controversy, at last rose up, and
address'd himself to the Celt, in the first Place, as being
the most noisy and outrageous. Sir, said he, Your
Notions in this Affair are very just: Good Sir, oblige me
with a Bit of your Misletoe. Then turning about, he
expatiated on the Eloquence of the Grecian, and in a
Word, soften'd in the most artful Manner all the
contending Parties. He said but little indeed to the
Cathayian; because he was more cool, and sedate than
any of the others. To conclude, he address'd them all in
general Terms, to this or the like Effect: My dear
Friends, You have been contesting all this while about an
important Topick, in which 'tis evident, you are all
unanimously agreed. Agreed, quotha! they all cried, in an
angry Tone, How so, pray? Why said he to the hot, testy
Celt, is it not true, that you do not in effect adore this
Misletoe, but that Being who created that Misletoe and
the Oak, to which it is so closely united? Doubtless, Sir,
reply'd the Celt. And you, Sir, said he, to the Egyptian,
You revere, thro' your venerable Apis, the great Author
of every Ox's Being. We do so, said the Egyptian. The
mighty Oannés, tho' the Sovereign of the Sea, continued
he, must give Precedence to that Power, who made both

80
the Sea, and every Fish that dwells therein. We allow it,
said the Chaldean. The Indian, adds he, and the
Cathayan, acknowledge one supreme Being, or first
Cause, as well as you. As to what that profound worthy
Gentleman the Grecian has advanc'd, is, I must own, a
little above my weak Comprehension, but I am fully
persuaded, that he will allow there is a supreme Being on
whom his favourite Matter and Form are entirely
dependent. The Grecian, who was look'd upon as a Sage
amongst them, said, with Abundance of Gravity, that
Zadig, had made a very just Construction of his
Meaning. Now, Gentlemen, I appeal to you all, said
Zadig, whether you are not unanimous to a Man, in the
Debate upon the Carpet, and whether there are any just
Grounds for the least Divisions or Animosities amongst
you. The whole Company, cool at once, caress'd him;
and Setoc, after he had sold off all his Goods and
Merchandize at a round Price, took his Friend Zadig
Home with him to the Land of Horeb. Zadig, upon his
first Arrival was inform'd, that a Prosecution had been
carried on against him during his Absence, and that the
Sentence pronounc'd against him was, that he should be
burnt alive before a slow Fire.

81
 Chapter XII - The Rendezvous
*
Whilst Zadig attended his Friend Setoc to Balzora, the
Priests of the Stars were determin'd to punish him. As all
the costly Jewels, and other valuable Decorations, in
which every young Widow that sacrificed her self on her
Husband's Funeral-pile, were their customary Fees, 'tis
no great Wonder, indeed, that they were inclin'd to burn
poor Zadig, for playing them such a scurvy Trick. Zadig
therefore, was accus'd of holding heretical and damnable
Tenets, in regard to the Celestial Host: They depos'd, and
swore point-blank, that he had been heard to aver, that
the Stars never sat in the Sea. This horrid blasphemous
Declaration thunder-struck all the Judges, and they were
ready to rend their Mantles at the Sound of such an
impious Assertion; and they would have made Zadig,
had he been a Man of Substance, paid very severely for
his heretical Notions. But in the Height of their Pity and
Compassion for even such an Infidel, they would lay no
Fine upon him; but content themselves with seeing him
roasted alive before a slow Fire. Setoc, tho' without

82
Hopes of Success, us'd all the Interest he had to save his
bosom Friend from so shocking a Death; but they turn'd
a deaf Ear to all his Remonstrances, and oblig'd him to
hold his Tongue. The young Widow Almona, who by this
Time was not only reconcil'd to living a little longer, but
had some Taste for the Pleasures of Life, and knew that
she was entirely indebted to Zadig for it, resolv'd, if
possible, to free her Benefactor from being burnt, as he
had before convinc'd her of the Folly of it in her Case.
She ponder'd upon this weighty Affair very seriously; but
said nothing to any one whomsoever. Zadig was to be
executed the next Day; and she had only a few Hours left
to carry her Project into Execution. Now the Reader shall
hear with how much Benevolence and Discretion this
amiable Widow behav'd on this emergent Occasion.

In the first Place, she made use of the most costly

Perfumes; and drest herself to the utmost Advantage to
render her Charms as conspicuous as possible; And thus
gaily attir'd, demanded a private Audience of the High
Priest of the Stars. Upon her first Admittance into his
august and venerable Presence, she address'd herself in
the following Terms. O thou first-born and well-beloved
Son of the Great Bear, Brother of the Bull, and first
Cousin to the Dog, (these you must know were the
Pontiff's high Titles) I come to confess myself before
you: My Conscience is my Accuser, and I am terribly

83
afraid I have been guilty of a mortal Sin, by declining the
stated Custom of burning 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 am
grown a perfect Skeleton, all wrinkled and deform'd. She
paus'd, and pulling 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, said the
luscious Pontiff; No! Your Charms are still resistless:
His Eyes, and his Mouth, with which he kiss'd her Hand,
confirm'd their Power: Such an Arm, Madam, by the
Great Orasmades, I never saw before. Alas! said the
Widow, with a modest Blush; my Arm Sir, 'tis probable,
may have the Advantage of any hidden Part; but see,
good Father, what a Neck is here; as yellow as Saffron,
an Object not worth 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 better
Appearance than common Madder upon a Shrub; and the
whitest Wool, just out of the Laver, were she but by,
would seem but of a light-brown Hue.

Her Neck, her large black, sparkling Eyes, that

languishingly roll'd, and seem'd as 'twere, on Fire; her
lovely Cheeks, glowing with White and Red, her Nose,

84
that was not unlike the Tower of Mount Lebanon, her
Lips, which were like two Borders of Coral, inclosing
two Rows of the best Pearls in the Arabian Sea; such a
Combination, I say, of Charms, made the old Pontiff
judge she was scarce twenty Years of Age; and in a kind
of Flutter, to make her a Declaration of his tender Regard
for her. Almona, perceiving him enamour'd, begg'd his
Interest in Favour of Zadig. Alas! my dear Charmer, my
Interest alone, when you request the Favour, would be
but a poor Compliment; I'll take care his Acquittance
shall be signed 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 a Visit
after Sunset, and as soon as the Star Sheat twinkles on
the Horizon, you shall find me, most venerable Father,
repos'd upon a rosy-colour'd silver Sopha, where you
shall use your Pleasure with your 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 old
Doatard all over Love, tho' somewhat diffident of his
own Abilities. The Residue of the Day he spent in his
Bagnio; he drank large enlivening Draughts of a Water
distill'd from the Cinnamon of Ceilan, and the costly
Spices of Tidor and Ternate, and waited with the utmost
Impatience for the up-rising of the brilliant Sheat.

85
In the mean time Almona went to the second Pontiff. He
assur'd her that the Sun, Moon, and all the starry Host of
Heav'n, were but languid Fires to her bright Eyes. He put
the Question to her, in short, at once, and agreed to sign
upon her Compliance. She suffer'd herself to be over-
persuaded, and made an Assignation to meet him at a
certain Place, as soon as the Star Algenib should make its
Appearance. From him she repair'd to the third and
fourth Pontiff, taking care, wherever she went, to see
Zadig's Acquittance duely sign'd, and made fresh
Appointments at the Rising of Star after Star.

When she had carried her Point thus far, she sent a
proper Message to the Judges of the Court, who had
condemn'd Zadig, requesting that they would come to
her House, that she might advise with them upon an
Affair of the last Importance. They waited on her
accordingly; she produc'd Zadig's Discharge duly sign'd
by four several Hands, and told them the Definitive
Treaty between all the contracting Parties. Each of the
pontifical Gallants observ'd their Summons to a Moment.
Each was startled at the Sight of his Rival; but perfectly
thunderstruck to see the Judges, before whom the Widow
had laid open her Case. Zadig procur'd an absolute
Pardon, and Setoc was so charm'd with the artful Address
of Almona, that he married her the next Day. Zadig went
afterwards to throw himself at the Feet of his fair

86
Benefactress. Setoc and he took their Leave of each other
with Tears in their Eyes, and vowing that an eternal
mutual Friendship should be preserv'd between them;
and, in short, should Fortune at any Time afterwards
prove more propitious than could well be expected to
either Party; the other should partake of an equal Share
of his Success.

Zadig steer'd his Course towards Syria; forever

pondering on the hard Fate of the justly-admir'd Astarte,
and reflecting on his own Stars that so obstinately darted
down their malignant Rays, and continu'd daily to
torment him. What, said he! to pay four hundred Ounces
of Gold for only seeing a Bitch pass by me; to be
condemn'd to be beheaded for four witless Verses in
Praise of the King; to be strangled to Death, because a
Queen was pleas'd to look upon me; to be made a
Prisoner, and sold as a Slave for saving a young Lady
from being sorely abus'd by a Brute rather than a Man;
and to be upon the Brink of being roasted alive, for no
other Offence than saving for the future all the Widows
in Arabia from becoming idle Burnt-Offerings, and
mingling their Ashes with those of their deceased
worthless Husbands.

87
 Chapter 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 your Person,
that is entirely at our Sovereign's Disposal. Zadig,
instead of making any Reply, drew his Sword, and as his
Attendant was a very couragious Fellow, he drew
likewise. Those who laid hold on them, first fell a
Sacrifice to their Fury: Their Numbers redoubled: Yet
still, Both dauntless, determin'd to conquer or to die.
When two Men defend themselves against a whole Gang,
the Contest, doubtless, cannot last long. The Master of
the Castle, one Arbogad by Name, having been an Eye-
Witness from his Window, of the Intrepidity and
surprising Exploits of Zadig, took a Fancy to him. He ran
down therefore in Haste, and giving Orders himself to
his Vassals to desist, deliver'd the two Travellers out of
their Hands. Whatever Goods or Chattels, said he, come

88
upon my Territories, are my Effects; and whatever I find
likewise that is valuable upon the Premises of others, is
my free Booty; but, as you appear, Sir, to me to be a
Gentleman of uncommon Courage, you shall prove an
Exception to my general Rule. Upon this, he invited
Zadig into his magnificent Mansion, giving his inferior
Officers strict Orders to use him with all due Respect;
and at Night Arbogad was desirous of supping with
Zadig. The Lord of the Mansion was one of those
Arabians, that are call'd Free-booters; but a Man who
now and then did good Actions amongst a Thousand bad
ones. He plunder'd without Mercy; but was liberal in his
Benefactions. When in Action, intrepid; but in Traffick,
easy enough; a perfect Epicure in his Eating and
Drinking, an absolute Debauchee, but very frank and
open. Zadig pleas'd him extremely; his Conversation
being very lively, prolong'd their Repast: At last,
Arbogad said to him; I would advise you, Sir, to enlist
yourself in my Troop; you cannot possibly do a better
Thing: My Profession is none of the worst; and in Time,
you may become perhaps as great a Man as myself. May
I presume, Sir, to ask you one Question; how long may
you have follow'd this honourable Calling? From my
Youth upwards, replied his Host, I was only a Valet at
first to an Arabian, who indeed was courteous enough;
but Servitude was a State of Life I could not brook. It
made me stark-mad to see, in a wide World, which ought

89
to be divided fairly between Mankind, that Fate had
reserv'd for me so scanty a Portion. I communicated my
Grievance to an old Sage Arabian. Son, said he, never
despair; once upon a Time, there was a Grain of Sand,
that bemoan'd itself, as being nothing more than a
worthless Atom of the Deserts. At the Expiration,
however, of a few Years, it became that inestimable
Diamond, which at this very Hour, is the richest, and
most admir'd Ornament of the Indian Crown. The old
Man's Discourse fir'd me with some Ambition; I was
conscious to myself that I was at that Time the Atom he
mention'd, but was determin'd, if possible, to become the
Diamond. At my first setting out, I stole two Horses;
then I got into a Gang; where we play'd at small Game,
and stopp'd the small Caravans; thus I gradually lessen'd
the wide Disproportion, which there was at first between
me and the rest of Mankind: I enjoy'd not only my full
Share of the good Things of this Life, but enjoy'd them
with Usury. I was look'd upon as a Man of Consequence,
and I procur'd this Castle by my military Atchievements.
The Satrap of Syria had Thoughts of dispossessing me;
but I was then too rich to be any Ways afraid of him; I
gave the Satrap a certain Sum of Money, upon Condition
that I kept quiet Possession of my Castle. And,
moreover, I aggrandiz'd my Domains; for he constituted
me, at the same Time, Treasurer of the Imports that
Arabia Petræa paid to the King of Kings. I executed my

90
Trust, in every Respect, as I ought, in the Capacity of a
Collector; but I never did, nor never intended to balance
my Accounts.

The grand Desterham of Babylon sent hither, in the

Name of the King Moabdar, a petty Satrap, with a
Commission to strangle me. He and his Attendants
arriv'd here with his Royal Warrant. I was appriz'd of the
whole Affair, and, accordingly, order'd his whole
Retinue, consisting of four inferior Officers, to be
strangled before his Face, after the same Manner as was
intended for my Execution. After this, I ask'd him what
he thought the Commission with which he was entrusted,
might reasonably be valued at; he answer'd, that he
presum'd his Premium (had he succeeded) might have
amounted to about three Hundred Pieces of Gold. I made
him sensible, that it would be for his Interest to be a
commission'd Officer under me; I made him accordingly
Deputy Free-booter. He is at this very Day not only the
best Officer, but the richest I have in all my Court. If my
Word may be credited, I'll raise your Fortune as I have
done his. Never was Trade brisker in our Way; for
Moabdar, is knock'd on the Head, and all Babylon in the
utmost Confusion. Moabdar kill'd, said you! cry'd Zadig,
and pray, Sir, what is become of his Royal Consort,
Astarte? I know nothing at all of that Affair, replied
Arbogad, all that I have to say, is, that Moabdar became

91
a perfect Madman, and had his Brains beat out; that all
the People in Babylon are cutting one another's Throats,
and that the whole Empire is laid waste; that there is still
an Opportunity 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 you know any Thing of the
Queen. I have heard great Talk, said he, of a certain
Prince of Hyrcania; 'tis very possible, she may have
listed herself amongst his Concubines, if she had the
good Fortune to escape the Resentment of those popular
Tumults; but my Head, Sir, is better turn'd for the
Highway than for News; I have taken several Ladies
Prisoners in the Course of my Excursions; I keep none of
them for my Part; and as to such as are handsomer than
ordinary, I make the best Market I can of them, without
enquiring who they are. Their Quality or Titles will fetch
no Price at all; a Queen, if she be homely, is worth
nothing. 'Tis probable, Sir, I have dispos'd of the Lady
myself; and 'tis possible, likewise, she may be dead; 'tis
no Concern of mine; and to my thinking, it should be an
Affair of no Manner of Importance to you. After this
Declaration, he drank so hard, and confounded his Ideas
in such a Manner, that Zadig was not 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

92
Tales, and swore a thousand Times over, that he was the
happiest Creature upon God's Earth; persuading Zadig to
be as merry, and thoughtless as himself. At last, being
gradually overcome by the Fumes of his Liquor, he fell
fast asleep. Zadig spent the Remainder of the Night in
deep Contemplation, and in all the Uneasiness of Mind
imaginable. What, said he, the King first became crazy,
and then was murder'd. I think I have just Grounds for
Complaint. The whole Empire is in Confusion, and torn
to Pieces, and this Free-booter is as happy as a King. O
Fortune! O Fate! a Highwayman as happy as a Monarch!
and the most amiable Creature that Nature ever fram'd
has suffer'd perhaps, an ignominious Death, or perhaps,
is in a State of Life 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 he saw if they knew any Thing of her: But the
whole Gang were too intent upon other Matters, to return
him any Answer. By Virtue of their Night's Excursions,
they had brought in some fresh Booty, and were busy in
dividing the Spoil. All the Favour he could procure, in
their Hurry and Tumult, was, to go away without the
least Examination. He took the Advantage of their
Remissness, and mov'd off the Premises, but more
overwhelm'd with Grief and deep Reflection than ever.

93
Zadig, in his March, was very restless and uneasy. His
Thoughts were 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 the Confines of Egypt, by the
Babylonish Courier; in a Word, on the various Scenes of
Misfortunes and Disappointments, which he had
successively met with.

94
 Chapter 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; incessantly deploring, as he went along,
his unhappy Fate, and looking upon himself as the very
Picture of ill Luck. He perceiv'd at a little Distance 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'd but little to regard) and with uplift
Eyes, imploring Heaven's Assistance. I am, doubtless,
said the poor Fisherman, the most unhappy Wretch that
ever liv'd! No Merchant in all Babylon, it is very well
known, was ever so noted for selling Cream-Cheeses as
myself; and yet I am ruin'd to all Intents and Purposes.
No Man of my Profession ever had a handsomer, more
compleat Housewife, than my Dame was; but I have
been treacherously depriv'd of her. I had still left a poor,
pitiful Cottage, but that I saw plunder'd and destroy'd. I
am cubb'd up here in a Cell; I have nothing to depend
upon but my Fishery, and not one single Fish have I

95
caught. Thou unfortunate Net! I'll never throw thee into
the Water more: Much sooner will I throw myself in. No
sooner were the Words out of his Mouth, but he started
up, and ran to the River-side, like one that was resolutely
bent to plunge in, and get rid of a miserable Life at once.
Is it possible, said Zadig? Is there then the Man in Being
more wretched than myself? His Benevolence, and good
Will to save the poor Man's Life, was as quick as the
Reflection he had just made! 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 sees
himself not singular in Misfortune. But if we will credit
Zoroaster, this is not from a Principle of Malignity, but
the Effect of a fatal Necessity. He was attracted, as it
were, to any Person in Distress, as being One in the same
unhappy Circumstances. The Transport of a happy Man,
would be a Kind of Insult; but two Persons in bad
Circumstances, are like two weak Shrubs, which, by
propping up each other, are fenc'd against a Storm. Why
are you thus cast down, said Zadig to the Fisherman?
Never sink Man, under the Weight of your Burden. I
can't help it, said the poor Fisherman; I have not the least
Prospect of Redress. I was once, Sir, the tip-top Man of
the whole Village of Derlbach, near Babylon, where I
liv'd, and with the Help of my Wife, made the best
Cream-Cheeses that were ever eaten in the Persian

96
Empire. Her Majesty, the Queen Astarte, and the famous
Prime-Minister Zadig were very fond of them. I serv'd
the Court with about six Hundred of them, I went the
other Day in Hopes of being paid; but before I had well
got into the Suburbs of Babylon, I was inform'd, that not
only the Queen, but Zadig too had privately left the
Court: Whereupon I ran directly to 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, in the
most loyal Manner. From thence I made the best of my
Way to the Queen's Kitchin; where, applying my self to
the Steward of her Household, and his inferior Officers;
one of them told me she was dead; 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 be paid
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'd for Shelter and Protection: The
Favour, I confess, was readily granted to my Wife; but as
for my own Part, I was absolutely rejected. She was
fairer, Sir, than the fairest Cheese I ever sold; from
whence I date all my Misfortunes; and the red that
adorn'd her blushing Cheeks was ten Times more lively
than any Tyrian Scarlet. And between you and I, Sir, that
was the main Cause of my Wife's Reception, and my

97
Disgrace. Whereupon I wrote a doleful Letter to my
Wife, in all the Agonies of one in the deepest Despair:
'Tis very well, said she, to the Messenger; I have some
little Knowledge of the Man; I have heard say no one
sells better Cream-Cheeses than he does; desire him, next
Time he comes, to bring a small Parcel with him, 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 a Court of Equity: I had but six Ounces of
Gold left: Two whereof went for a Fee to my Counsellor;
two to my Lawyer, who took my Cause in Hand, and the
other two to the Judge's Clerk. Notwithstanding what I
had done, my Cause was not so much as commenc'd; and
I had already disburs'd more Money than all my Cheeses
and my Wife with them were worth. I return'd therefore
to my Native Habitation, with a full Resolution to sell it
for the Ransom of my Wife.

My little Cot, with the Appurtenances, were worth about

threescore Ounces of Gold: But as the Purchasers found I
was necessitous, and drove to my last Shifts; the first
whom I apply'd to, offer'd me thirty Ounces; the second,
twenty; and the third, but ten: Just as I had come to
Terms of Accommodation with one of them, the Prince
of Hyrcania came to Babylon, and swept all before him.
My little Cottage, with all its Furniture, was first

98
plunder'd of all that was valuable, and at last reduc'd to
Ashes.

Having thus lost my Money, my Wife, and my House, I

withdrew to this Desart, where you see me. I have since
endeavour'd to get my Bread by Fishing; but the Fish, as
well as all Mankind, desert me. I scarce catch one in a
Day; I am half starv'd; and had it not been for your
unexpected Benevolence and Generosity, I had been at
the Bottom of the River before this.

This long Detail of Particulars, however, was not

deliver'd without several Interruptions; for, said Zadig,
with Abundance of Warmth and Confusion, Have you
never heard, Sir, of what is become of the Queen
Astarte? No Sir, not I, said the disconsolate Fisherman;
but this I know, to my Sorrow, that neither the Queen,
nor Zadig, ever paid 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 the very Brink of
Despair. I am verily persuaded, said Zadig, that you will
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 Debts with Interest, like a Man of Honour.
But, as for your Wife, who appears to me, to be no better
than a Wag-tail, never take the Trouble, if you'll take my

99
Advice, to hunt after her any more. Be rul'd, and make
the best of your Way to Babylon. I shall be there before
you, as I shall ride, and you will be on Foot. Make your
Applications to the illustrious Cador; tell him you met
his Friend upon 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 you raise for me, to alleviate my
Sorrows? Having utter'd this short Expostulation, he
gave the distrest Fisherman one full Moiety of all the
Money he brought with him out of Arabia. The
Fisherman, thunder-struck, and transported with Joy at so
unexpected a Benefaction, 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 greater Misfortunes than the Man he so generously

100
relieves? Your greatest Uneasiness, 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? This Interrogatory put Zadig in a Moment upon a
Retrospection of all his past Adventures. He recollected
the whole Series of his Misfortunes; commencing from
that of the Eunuch and the Huntsman, to his Arrival at
the Free-booter's Castle. Alas! said he, to the Fisherman,
Orcan, 'tis true, deserves severely to be punish'd: But for
the Generality, we find, such worthless Barbarians are
the Favourites of Fortune. 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; the Fisherman blessing his
propitious Stars, and Zadig cursing, every Step he went,
the Hour he was born.

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 Chapter XV - The Basilisk
*
As Zadig was traversing a verdant Meadow, he perceiv'd
several young Female Syrians, intent on searching for
something very curious, that lay conceal'd, as they
imagin'd, in the Grass. He took the Freedom to approach
one of them, and ask her, in the most courteous Manner,
if he might have the Honour to assist her in her
Researches. 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, as to ask you what you are in
Pursuit after, that shuns the Touch of any Thing but the
Hands of the Fair Sex. 'Tis, Sir, said she, the Basilisk: A
Basilisk, Madam, said he! And pray, if you will be so
good as to inform me, with what View, are you searching
after a Creature so very difficult to be met with? 'Tis, Sir,
said she, for our Lord and Master Ogul, whose Castle,
you see, situate on the River-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 his first Physician

102
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, our dying Sovereign Ogul has promis'd to
honour her, that shall be so happy as to catch it for him,
so far as to make her his Consort. The Case, being thus
circumstantiated, Sir, I hope you will not interrupt me
any longer, lest my Rivals here in the Field should
happen to circumvent me.

Zadig withdrew, and left the Syrian Ladies in Quest of

their imaginary Booty, in order to pursue his intended
Journey. But as he came 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 entirely disengag'd. Her
Stature seem'd majestic, but her Face was cover'd with a
Vail; and her Eyes were fixt, as one at her Looking-glass,
on the River. Every now and then a Sigh burst out, as if
her Heart were breaking. In her Hand she held a little
Wand or Rod, with which she was tracing out some
Characters on the dry Sand, that lay between the flow'ry
Bank she sat on, and the purling Current. Zadig's
Curiosity induc'd him, unperceiv'd, to observe her
Operations at some Distance. But approaching nearer,
and perceiving very distinctly the first Character to be an
Z. the next an A. and the third a D. he started; but when
he saw the additional Capitals of I and G. his

103
Astonishment was too great for Words to express. He
stood for some Time perfectly thunder-struck, and as
motionless as a Statue; At last, in a soft, faultring Tone,
he broke Silence: O generous Lady, said he, forgive a
Stranger, one overwhelm'd with Sorrows like yourself, if
he asks you, by what amazing Accident he finds the
Name of Zadig delineated by so angelick a Hand. Thus
unexpectedly interrupted, and at the Sound of those
Words, she turn'd her Head; and with a trembling Hand,
lifting up her Vail, she espy'd Zadig himself. Upon
which, she shriek'd; and as her Heart was 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 identical Lady, whose hard Fate he had so long
deplor'd; and for whose sake he had felt so many
agonizing Pains. For a few Minutes he stood speechless,
and depriv'd, as it were, of all his senses, whilst his Eyes
were fixt on his Astarte, who began to revive; and cast a
wishful Glance at him, attended with some Confusion. O
ye immortal Powers, 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? He
threw himself prostrate on the Ground, and kiss'd the
Dust of her Feet. The Queen of Babylon rais'd him up,

104
and oblig'd him to sit by her on the flow'ry Bank
whereon she was repos'd. Every now and then she wip'd
her Eyes, as the Tears trickl'd down afresh her lovely
Cheeks. Twenty times she endeavour'd to renew her
Discourse; but was interrupted by her Sighs; she ask'd
him over and over to relate to her the Hardships he had
ran thro' since their parting, and by what Chance he came
to traverse that solitary Meadow; but prevented him at
the same Time from returning any Answer, by repeating
Question upon Question. At last, she gave him a
particular Detail of her own Misfortunes, and again
requested to know his. Both of them, in short, having, in
some Measure, appeas'd the Tumult of their Souls;
Zadig, in a few Words, inform'd her of the Motives that
brought him thither.

But tell me, O unfortunate, tho' ever-venerable Queen,

how I came to find you out, reclining on this verdant
Bank, dress'd in this servile Habit, accompanied by other
Female Slaves, who, I find, have been all Day long in
Quest after a Basilisk, which, as I understand, is by Order
of a celebrated Physician, to be dissolv'd in 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 have undergone since last we parted;

105
and since Heav'n has thus unexpectedly 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,

was disgusted to find you the most amiable of all
Mortals, and that for no other Reason he determin'd to
strangle you, and poison me. You know very well too,
that indulgent Heav'n inspir'd, as it were, my little Dwarf,
with artful Means to give me timely Notice of the rash
Resolutions of the King, my cruel Husband.

No sooner had the faithful Cador oblig'd you to obey my

Orders, and to fly the Court, but he ventur'd to enter my
Apartment in the Dead of Night thro' a private Door. He
snatch'd me up, and convey'd me directly into the
Temple of Orosmades, where the holy Magus, who was
his Brother, lock'd me up in that august and awful Statue,
that stands erect upon the Pavement of the Temple, and
Colossus-like, touches the lofty Ceiling with his Head.
There I lay conceal'd, or rather buried for some Time;
tho' taken all imaginable Care of, and furnish'd with all
the Necessaries of Life by that venerable, and loyal
Priest. In the mean Time, his Apothecary enter'd at Break
of Day 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

106
Officer of the King's Vengeance was thus employ'd,
another as inhuman as himself, went to your Lodgings
with the silken Cord. Both, however, were disappointed,
as both of us were fled. Cador, very officious, flew to the
King, in order the more artfully to blind him; and in a
feign'd Passion, rail'd at us both, and charg'd us both as
perfidious Traitors. As for that Villain 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 never expos'd my Face unveil'd to any one but your
self, and that too in the Presence, and by the express
Order of my Royal Master. As they had no other Marks
to distinguish me from others but my Stature, as it had
been describ'd, a young Lady, just of my Size, but in all
Probability much more handsome, presented herself to
their View, on the Frontiers of Egypt. She was found
alone, and in a very disconsolate Condition. This Lady
must, doubtless, said they to themselves, be the Queen of
Babylon: And without listning to her Complaints,
convey'd her instantly to my Husband Moabdar. Their
gross Blunder at first incens'd his Majesty to the last
Degree; but after he had view'd the Lady with an
attentive Eye, he found she was extremely pretty, and
was soon pacify'd. Her Name was Missouf. I have been

107
since inform'd, that her Name in the Egyptian Language
signifies the Fair Coquet. And in Effect, she was so: She
had as much Art, however, as Caprice. For she pleas'd
the King of Kings: In short, she had such an Ascendancy
over him, that he didn't scruple in publick to own her as
his Wife. When she had secur'd him thus far in her Toils,
she never conceal'd her Power, but play'd the Part of a
perfect Humourist. She indulg'd herself in every Whim
that came in her Head, without Fear of being brow-beat.
In the first Place, She insisted that the Chief Magus, who
was old and gouty, should dance a Saraband before her;
and upon his modest Refusal to comply with so
preposterous a Request, she persecuted him without
Mercy: Nothing would serve her Turn, in the next Place,
but his Majesty's grand Master of the Horse must make
her a Minc'd-pye. The Gentleman took the 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 his Place for being so monstrously careless, as to
burn one Corner of the Crust. Whereupon she gave his
Post to her favourite Dwarf, and made her Fop of a Page
the Keeper of his Majesty's great Seal, and Confidence.
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 he would have imprison'd me,
and strangled you, seem'd to have drown'd all his good

108
Qualities in his Dotage on that capricious Enchantress.
He came to the Temple on the solemn Festival of the
sacred Fire. I saw him prostrate on the Pavement before
the Statue, wherein I was enclos'd, imploring the Gods to
show'r down their choicest Blessings on his beauteous
Missouf. I, with an audible and distinct, but hollow Tone,
address'd my self thus, like an Oracle, to the King of
Kings. The Gods reject the Vows of a Monarch, that acts
the Tyrant o'er his Subjects; One, who could think of
murdering an innocent Wife; and admit of a worthless
Beauty to supply her Place. Moabdar was so startled at
this unexpected Answer from the God he ador'd, that he
was just at the Point of Distraction. The Oracle that I had
deliver'd, and the tyrannical Proceedings of his new
Spouse Missouf, were enough to deprive him of his
Senses. In short, in a few Days he became a perfect Mad-
man. Her Caprice, which seem'd a Judgement from
above, portended a sudden Revolution. His Subjects
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 was taken from my magnificent
Prison, the Bowels of his God, and set up at 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
intestine Broils, return'd with a powerful Army, in order

109
to form a third Party, among the Babylonians. He
attack'd the King, who fled with his fair, but fickle
Egyptian before him. Moabdar, however, was so closely
pursu'd, that he dy'd of the Wounds he receiv'd in his
Retreat. Missouf became the fair Victim of the
Conqueror. As for my own Part, I had the Misfortune to
be over-power'd likewise, and taken Prisoner by an
Hyrcanian Party, who brought me into the Presence of
the young Prince, at the very Juncture when Missouf
stood before him. You'll smile, doubtless, when I tell you
the Prince look'd upon me as the most amiable Captive
of the two; but then, I presume you will be sorry to hear,
that my hard Fate doom'd me to be a Vassal in his
Seraglio. He told me, in direct Terms, that as soon as he
had put an happy Issue to one Military Expedition, which
would not, he flatter'd himself, be long unexecuted, he
would honour me with a Visit. Judge the dreadful
Apprehensions I was under, upon his making such a
peremptory Declaration. My Obligations to 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 of my high Character and unspotted
Virtue. I had always heard say, that Heav'n bestow'd on
Persons of my Rank, such a peculiar Mark of Majesty
and Grandeur, that with a bare Word, or the Glance of an
angry Eye, they could bring down, and abase the Pride of

110
those audacious Creatures that durst to thwart their
Inclinations. I talk'd as big as a Queen; but I was treated
like the most servile Domestic. The saucy Hyrcanian,
without so much as vouchsafing me one Single Word,
turn'd to his black Eunuch, and told him that I was very
impertinent; but yet he could not help thinking I was
very pretty. He gave him therefore particular Orders to
take care of me, and put me under the same Regimen,
with respect to my Diet, as one of his Favourites, in order
that I might recover my Colour, which was somewhat
too languid; in a Word, that I might become worthy in a
little Time of his Royal Favours, and be duely qualified
to receive him, 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, like me, 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
Man would part with his Paroquet, when he had shut her
up close in her gilded Cage. What a shocking State was I
in for the first Queen of the Universe! Nay, I'll say more,
for a Heart that was wholly devoted to her Zadig!

At these endearing Words, Zadig threw himself at her

Feet, and bath'd them with his Tears. Astarte
immediately rais'd him in the most courteous and
engaging Manner, and thus continu'd her Narration.—I
too plainly perceiv'd, that I was subject to the Tyranny of

111
a Barbarian, and the Rival of a Coquet, that was a Slave
like myself. She related to me all her past Adventures in
Egypt. From the Description she gave of her Gallant, the
Time and Place, the Dromedary he was mounted on, and
from every other minute Circumstance, I imagin'd it was
your self that play'd the Hero in her 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 sprightlier
Disposition than I am; you will be able to amuse the gay
young Prince of Hyrcania a thousand Times better than I
shall. Find out some Way therefore for my Escape; by
which you will be sole Lady Regent. You will oblige me
to the last Degree, by your friendly Assistance, and at the
same Time get rid of a Rival. Missouf, (cajol'd with the
Hint) came into my Measures directly. She took care to
send me packing forthwith, with no other Attendant than
an old Egyptian Slave.

No sooner had I reach'd the Borders of Arabia, but a

notorious Free-booter, (one Arbogad by Name) pick'd
me up, as I was strolling along, and sold me to some
Merchants, who convey'd me to yonder Castle, the
magnificent Residence of the Emir Ogul. He purchas'd
me at all Adventures, without enquiring what, or who I
was. He is a perfect Debauchee; his sole Delight lies in
good Eating, Wine, and Women; and is one, who

112
imagines, that the Almighty sent him into the World for
no other Purpose but to gratify his unruly Appetites. He
is excessively fat, and puffs and blows every Moment,
like one half choak'd. When he has gorg'd himself so
unmercifully that he is ready to burst, his chief Physician
can persuade him to take any Thing for his Relief; tho' he
laughs at him, and despises his Advice when he's well
and sober. He has intimated to him, that at present his
Life's in Danger, and nothing will restore him but a
Basilisk, boil'd in Rose-Water. Whereupon the 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 I have others to struggle for the Honour
propos'd, and I never had a less Inclination to find out
this Basilisk than at present, since I have once more met
with my dearest Zadig.

After this Declaration, Astarte and Zadig renew'd with

Warmth the virtuous Affection which they had long
conceiv'd for each other; and reciprocally utter'd all the
tenderest Expressions that Love in Distress could
possibly devise. And the Genii, who preside over all the
soft Passions, wafted their mutual Vows of eternal
Constancy and Truth to the Sphere of Venus.

The whole Train of Slaves, after a long fruitless Search,

113
attended on Ogul, to inform him that all their strictest
Search was fruitless. Zadig desired that he might have
the Honour to be introduc'd into his Presence.
Accordingly he was, and his Address was to this or the
like Effect. May immortal Health descend from Heaven
to preserve a Life, Sir, so precious as yours is. I am a
Physician by Profession. I flew to your Palace, on the
first News of the dangerous Situation you were in, and
have brought a Basilisk with me, distill'd in Rose-Water.
I can have no Hopes of the Honour of your Bed, in Case
I succeed in my Application: All the Favour I request, is,
the Release of one of your Babylonish Slaves, who has
been in your Highness's Retinue for some Time. And I
am willing to be your Bond-slave in her Stead, if I fail of
restoring the most illustrious and magnificent Ogul to his
pristine State of Health.

The Proposition was readily embrac'd. Astarte was

instantly discharg'd, and set out for Babylon, with a
proper Attendant, according to Zadig's Direction;
assuring her that she should hear every Day, by a special
Courier, of his Proceedings with his new Patient. The
Farewel which they took of each other, was very
affectionate and tender, expressive of the strongest
Obligations to each other. The Moments of Meeting, and
those of Parting, are (as it is written in the sacred Book
of Zend) the two most remarkable Epochas of a Lover's

114
Life. Zadig's repeated Protestations of Affection for the
Queen were perfectly sincere, and the pure Dictates of
his Heart; and the Queen's Love for Zadig had made a
deeper 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; but all 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 must kick this
Bladder, Sir, once a Day about your Hall for a whole
Hour together, with all the Vigour and Activity you
possibly can. This Medicine must be repeated every
Morning, and I'll attend the Operation: Upon your due
Observance of the Regimen I shall put you under, I doubt
not, but with the Blessing of Heav'n on my honest
Endeavours, I shall give you ample Demonstration of my
being an Adept in Physick. Ogul, upon making the first
Experiment, was ready to expire for want of Breath, and
thought he should die with the Fatigue. The second Day
did not prove altogether so irksome, and he slept much
better at Night than he had done before. In short, our
Doctor in about eight Days Time, perform'd an absolute
Cure. His Patient was as brisk, active and gay, as One in
the Bloom of his Youth.

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Now, Sir, said Zadig, I'll be ingenuous with you, and
disclose to you the important Secret. You have play'd at
Foot-ball these eight Days successively; and you have
liv'd all that Time, within the Bounds of Sobriety and
Moderation. Know, Sir, that there is no such Animal in
Nature as a Basilisk; that Health is to be secur'd by
Temperance and Exercise; and that the Art of making
Health consistent with Luxury, is altogether as
impracticable, and an Art, in all Respects, as idle and
chimerical, as those of the Philosopher's Stone, judicial
Astrology, or any other Reveries of the like airy and
fantastic Nature.

Ogul's Head-Physician, apprehensive that this

unexpected Cure, thus wrought by a Stranger, through
such an Anti-medicinal Preparation, might possibly not
only render himself the Object of Contempt in the Eye of
his great Master, but cast a Kind of Slur in general on his
whole Fraternity, conven'd a Set of petty Doctors and
Apothecaries, who were his Vassals, and entirely
devoted to his Interest, to find out some sure Ways and
Means to cut off in private his dreadful Rival; but whilst
their wicked Plot was hatching, Zadig receiv'd a Courier
from the Queen Astarte.

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Chapter XVI - The Tournaments
*
The Queen was receiv'd at Babylon with all the
Transports of Joy that could possibly be express'd for the
safe Return of so illustrious and so beautiful a Personage,
that had run thro' such a long Series of Misfortunes.
Babylon at that Time seem'd to be perfectly 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 were determin'd, that the most valuable
Post of Honour in the World, namely, that of being the
Royal Consort of Astarte, and the Sovereign of Babylon,
should be the Result of Merit only; and not be procur'd
by any Party-Factions or Court-Intrigues. A solemn Oath
was voluntarily taken by all Parties, that he who should
distinguish himself by his superior Valour and Wisdom,
should unanimously be acknowledg'd the Sovereign-
Elect.

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A spacious List, or Circus, was pitched upon, surrounded
with commodious Seats, erected in an Amphitheatrical
Manner, and richly embellish'd some few Leagues from
the City. Thither the Combatants, or Champions were to
repair, compleatly accoutred. Each of them had a distinct
Apartment to himself behind the Lists, where no Soul
could either see them, or know who they were. They
were to enter the Lists four several Times. Those who
were so happy as to conquer four Competitors, were
afterwards to engage each other in single Combat; in
order that he who should remain Master of the Field
should 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 too intricate and perplext for
them to resolve, they were to have Recourse 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 should be twice
a Victor, and shine as conspicuous, with respect to his
internal Qualities, as to his Dexterity and Address in
heroic Atchievements. The Queen, in the mean Time,
was to be narrowly watch'd, and allow'd only to be a
Spectator of both their Amusements, at some
considerable Distance; and moreover, to be cover'd with

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a Vail: Nor was she indulg'd so far as to speak one single
Word to any Candidate whomsoever, in order to prevent
the least Jealousy or Suspicion either of Partiality or
Injustice.

Astarte took care, by the Courier, to inform her Lover of

all the Preliminary Articles abovemention'd, not
doubting but that he would exert both his Courage and
Understanding for her Sake, beyond any of the other
Competitors.

Zadig accordingly set out for Babylon, and besought the

Goddess Venus, not only to fortify his Courage, but to
illuminate his Mind with 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 his Device amongst the List of
Combatants; concealing, at the same Time, both his
Person and Name, as the Laws of the Election required;
and accordingly, 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,

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by express Orders from the Queen: She sent him likewise
One of the finest Horses in all Persia. Zadig knew that
these Presents could come from No-body but his dear
Astarte, which redoubled his Vigour and his Hopes.

The next Morning the Queen being seated under a

Canopy of State, enrich'd with precious Stones; and the
Amphitheatres being crowded with 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 down his particular Device at his Feet. The Devices
were drawn by Lot: That of Zadig was the last. The first
that advanc'd was a Grandee, one Itabod by Name,
immensely rich, indeed, and very haughty; but no ways
couragious; exceedingly awkward, and a Man of no
acquir'd Parts. The Sycophants that hover'd round about
him flatter'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 he was arm'd Cap-a-pee. His
Armour was made of pure Gold, enamell'd with Green.
The Housings of his Saddle were green, and his Lance
embellish'd with green Ribbands. Every One was
sensible, at first Sight, by Itobad's Manner of managing
his Horse, that he was not the Man whom Heav'n had
pitch'd upon to sway the Babylonish Scepter. The first
Combatant that tilted with him, threw him out of the

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Saddle; the second flung him quite over the Crupper, and
laid him sprawling on the Ground, with his Heels
quiv'ring in the Air. Itobad, 'tis true, remounted, but with
so ill a Grace, that an universal Laugh went round the
Amphitheatre. The third, disdaining to use his Lance,
made only a Feint at him: Then catch'd hold of his Right
Leg, and whirling him round, threw him flat upon the
Sand. The Esquires, who were the Attendants, ran to his
Assistance, and with a Sneer remounted him. The fourth
Combatant catch'd hold of his Left Leg, and unhors'd
him again. He was convey'd thro' the hissing Multitude
to his Lodge, where, according to the Law in that Case
provided, he was to pass the Night. And as he hobbled
along, said he, to the Esquires, what a sad Misfortune is
this to One of my Birth and Character!

The other Champions play'd their Parts much better; and

all came off with Credit. Some conquer'd two of their
Antagonists, and others were 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 after the
other, with the utmost Ease, and with such an Air and
Grace, as gain'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, and the

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Housings of his Saddle were of the same. Those of the
former white as Snow. The Multitude were divided in
their Wishes. The Knight in blue was the Favourite of
some of the Ladies; and others again were Admirers of
the Cavalier in white. The Queen, whose Heart was 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 the utmost Dexterity and Address, and
keeping firm in their Saddles, gave each other such
Rebuffs with their Lances, that all the Spectators (the
Queen only excepted) wish'd for two Kings of Babylon.
At last, their Horses being tired, and both their Lances
broke, Zadig made use of the following Stratagem,
which his Antagonist wasn't any ways appriz'd of. He got
artfully behind him, and shooting with a Spring on his
Horses Buttocks, grasp'd him close, threw him headlong
on the Sand, then jump'd into his Seat, and wheel'd round
Prince Hottam, while he lay sprawling on the Ground.
All the Spectators in general, with loud Acclamations,
cried out, 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 the two Chieftains upon
their Legs, commencing a new Trial of Skill! where they
seem'd to get the better of each other alternately; for both

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were strong, and both were active. The Feathers of their
Helmets, the Studs of their Bracelets, their Coats of Mail,
flew about in Pieces, thro' the dry Blows which they a
thousand Times repeated. They struck at each other
sometimes with the Edge of their Swords, at other Times
they push'd, as Occasion offer'd: Now on the Right, then
on the Left; now on the Head, then at the Breast; they
retreated; they advanc'd; they kept at a Distance; they
clos'd again; they grasp'd each other, turning and twisting
like two Serpents, and engag'd each other as fiercely as
two Libyan Lions fighting for their Prey: Their Swords
struck Fire almost at every Blow. At last, Zadig, in order
to recover his Breath, for a Moment or two stood still,
and afterwards, making a Feint at the Prince, threw him
on his Back, and disarm'd him. Hottam, thereupon, cried
out, O thou Knight of the white Armour! 'Tis you only
are destin'd to be the King of Babylon. The Queen was
perfectly transported. The two Champions were
reconducted to their separate Lodges, as the others had
been before them, in Conformity to the Laws prescrib'd.
Several Mutes were order'd to wait on the Champions,
and carry them some proper Refreshment. We'll leave the
Reader to judge whether the Queen's Dwarf was not
appointed to wait on Zadig on this happy Occasion. After
Supper the Mutes withdrew, and left the Combatants to
rest their wearied Limbs till the next Morning; at which
Time the Victor was to produce his Device, before the

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Grand Magus, in order to confer Notes, and discover the
Hero whoever he might be.

Zadig slept very sound, notwithstanding his amorous

Regard for the Queen, being perfectly fatigu'd. Itabod,
who lay in the Lodge contiguous to his, could not once
close his Eyes for Vexation. He got 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

seemingly undaunted Courage, to the Grand Magus, to
inform him, that he was the mighty Hero, the happy
Victor. Without the least Hesitation, he gain'd his Point,
and was proclaim'd Victor before Zadig was awake.
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 the Amphitheatre before Zadig wak'd: He
hunted for his Arms; but could find nothing but those in
green. He was oblig'd, tho' sorely against his Will, to put
it on, having nothing else in his Lodge to appear in:
Confounded, and big with Resentment, he drest himself,
and made his personal Appearance in that despicable
Equipage. The Populace that were left behind in the
Circus, hiss'd him every Step he took, they made a Ring

124
about him, and treated him with all the Marks of
Ignominy and Contempt. The most cowardly Wretch
breathing was never sure so sweated, or hunted down as
poor Zadig! He grew quite out 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 to
have a Sight of the Queen; he could never recover the
white Armour again which She had sent him; That was
the Compromise, or the Engagement, to which the
Combatants had all unanimously agreed: Thus, as he was
on the one Hand, plung'd in an Abyss of Sorrow; so on
the other, he was almost drove distracted with Vexation
and Resentment. He withdrew therefore, in a solitary
Mood, to the Banks of the Euphrates, now fully
persuaded, that his impropitious Star had shed its most
baleful Influence on him, and that his Misfortunes were
irretrievable, revolving in his Mind, all his
Disappointments from his first Adventure with the Court-
Coquet, who had entertain'd an utter Aversion to a blind
Eye, down to his late Loss of his white Armour. See!
said he, the fatal Consequence of being a Sluggard! Had
I been more vigilant, I had been King of Babylon; but
what is more, I had been happy in the Embraces of my
dearest Astarte. All the Knowledge of Books or
Mankind; all the personal Valour that I can boast of, has
only prov'd an Aggravation of my Sorrows. He carried

125
the Point so far at last, as to murmur at the unequal
Dispensations of Divine Providence; and was tempted to
believe, that all Occurrences were govern'd by a
malignant Destiny, which never fail'd to oppress the
Virtuous, and always crown'd the Actions of such
Villains as the green Knight, with uncommon Success. In
one of his frantick Fits, he put on the green Armour, that
had created him such a World of Disgrace. A Merchant
happening to pass by, he sold it to him for a Trifle, and
took in Exchange nothing more than a Mantle, and a
Cap. In this Disguise, he took a solitary Walk along the
Banks of the Euphrates, every Minute reflecting in his
Mind on the partial Proceedings of Providence, which
never ceas'd to torment him.

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 Chapter XVII - The Hermit
*
As Zadig was travelling along, he met with a Hermit,
whose grey and venerable Beard descended to his Girdle.
He had in his Hand a little Book, on which his Eyes were
fix'd. Zadig threw himself in his Way, and made him a
profound Bow. The Hermit return'd the Compliment with
such an Air of Majesty and Benevolence, that Zadig's
Curiosity prompted him to converse with so agreeable a
Stranger. Pray, Sir, said he, what may be the Contents of
the Treatise you are reading with such Attention. 'Tis
call'd, said the Hermit, the Book of Fate; will you please
to look at it. He put the Book into the Hands of Zadig,
who, tho' he was a perfect Master of several Languages,
couldn't decypher one single Character. This rais'd his
Curiosity still higher. You seem dejected, said the good
Father to him. Alas! I have Cause enough, said Zadig. If
you'll permit me to accompany you, said the old Hermit,
perhaps I may be of some Service to you. I have
sometimes instill'd Sentiments of Consolation into the
Minds of the Afflicted. Zadig had a secret Regard for the

127
Air of the old Man, for his Beard, and his Book. He
found, by conversing with him, that he was the most
learned Person he had ever met with. The Hermit
harangu'd on Destiny, Justice, Morality, the sovereign
Good, the Frailty of Nature; on Virtue and Vice, 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'd
earnestly that he would favour him with his Company to
Babylon. That Favour I was going to ask my self, said
the old Man. Swear to me 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 both pursu'd their
Journey.

The two Travellers arriv'd that Evening at a superb

Castle. The Hermit begg'd for an hospitable Reception of
himself and his young Comrade. The Porter, whom any
One might have taken for some Grandee, let them in, but
with a kind of Coldness and Contempt. However, he
conducted them to the Head-Steward, who went with
them thro' every rich Apartment of his Master's House.
They were seated at Supper afterwards at the lower End,
indeed, of the Table, and where they were taken little or
no Notice of by the Host; but they were serv'd with as
much Delicacy and Profusion, as any of the other Guests.
When they arose from Table, they wash'd their Hands in
a Golden Bason set with Emeralds, and other costly

128
Stones. When 'twas Time to go to Rest, they were
conducted into a Bed-chamber richly furnish'd; and the
next Morning two Pieces of Gold were presented to him
for their mutual Service, by a Valet in waiting; and then
they were dismiss'd.

The Proprietor of this Castle, said Zadig, as they were

upon the Road, seems to me to be a very hospitable
Gentleman; tho' somewhat too haughty indeed, and too
imperious: The Words were no sooner out of his Mouth,
but he perceiv'd that the Pocket of his Comrade's
Garment, tho' very large, was swell'd, and greatly
extended: He soon saw what was the Cause, and that he
had clandestinely brought off the Golden Laver. He durst
not immediately take Notice of the Fact; but was ready to
sink at the very Thoughts on't. About Noon, the Hermit
rapp'd at a petty Cottage with his Staff, the beggarly
Residence of an old, rich Miser. He desir'd that he and
his Companion 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 few musty Olives, and a
Draught or two of sower small Beer. The Hermit seem'd
as content with his Repast, as he was the Night before.
At last, rising off from his Seat, he paid his Compliments
to the old Valet (who had as watchful an Eye over them
all the Time, as if they had been a Brace of Thieves, and

129
intimated every now and then that he fear'd they would
be benighted) and gave him the two Pieces of Gold, he
had but just receiv'd that Morning, as a Token of his
Gratitude for his courteous Entertainment. He added
moreover, I would willingly speak one Word with your
Master before I go. The Valet, thunder-struck at his
unexpected Gratuity, comply'd with his Request: Most
hospitable Sir, said the Hermit, I couldn't go away
without returning you my grateful Acknowledgments for
the friendly Reception we have met with this Afternoon.
Be pleas'd to accept this Golden Bason as a small Token
of my Gratitude and Esteem. The Miser started, and was
ready to fall down backwards at the Sight of so valuable
a Present. The Hermit gave him no Time to recover out
of his Surprise, but march'd off that Moment with his
young Comrade. Father, said Zadig, What is all this that I
have seen? You seem to me to act in a quite different
Manner from the Generality of Mankind. You plunder
One, who entertain'd you with all the Pomp and
Profusion in the World, to enrich a covetous, sordid
Wretch, who treated you in the most unworthy Manner.
Son, said the old Man, that Grandee, who receives Visits
of Strangers, with no other View than to gratify his
Pride, and to raise their Astonishment at the Furniture of
his Palace, will henceforward learn to be wiser; and the
Miser to be more liberal for the Time to come. Don't be
surpris'd, but follow me. Zadig was at a stand at present;

130
and couldn't well determine whether his Companion was
a Man of greater Wisdom than ordinary, or a Mad-man.
But the Hermit assum'd such an Ascendency over him,
exclusive of the Oath he had taken, that he couldn't tell
how to leave him. At Night they came to a House very
commodiously built, but neat and plain; where nothing
was wanting, and yet nothing profuse. The Master was a
Philosopher, that had retir'd from the busy World, in
order to live in Peace, and form his Mind to Virtue. He
was pleas'd to build this little Box for the Reception of
Strangers, in a handsome Manner, but without
Ostentation. He came in Person to meet them at the
Door, and for a Time, advis'd them to sit down and rest
themselves in a commodious Apartment. After some
Respite, he invited them to a frugal, yet elegant Repast;
during which, he talk'd very intelligently about the late
Revolutions in Babylon. He seem'd entirely to be in the
Queen's Interest, and heartily wish'd that Zadig had
entred the Lists for the regal Prize: But Babylon, said he,
don't deserve a King of so much Merit. A modest Blush
appear'd in Zadig's Face at this unexpected Compliment,
which innocently aggravated his Misfortunes. It was
agreed, on all Hands, that the Affairs of this World took
sometimes a quite different Turn from what the wisest
Patriots would wish them. The Hermit replied, the Ways
of Providence are often very intricate and obscure, and
Men were much to blame for casting Reflections on the

131
Conduct of the Whole, upon the bare Inspection 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 sailing without them.
Phlegm, indeed, makes Men peevish and sick; but then
there is no living without it. Tho' every Thing here below
is dangerous, yet All are necessary.

In the next Place, their Discourse turn'd on sensual

Pleasures; and the Hermit demonstrated, that they were
the Gifts of Heaven; for, said he, Man cannot bestow
either Sensations or Ideas on himself; he receives 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 such vile Actions, could argue so well on
such Moral Topicks. At the proper Hour, after an
Entertainment, not only instructive, but ev'ry way
agreeable, their Host conducted them to their Bed-
chamber, thanking Heaven for directing two such polite
and virtuous Strangers to his House. He offer'd them at
the same Time some Silver, to defray their Expences on

132
the Road; but with such an Air of Respect and
Benevolence, that 'twas impossible to give the least
Disgust. The Hermit, however, refus'd it, and took his
leave, as he propos'd to set forward for Babylon by Break
of Day. Their Parting was very affectionate and friendly;
Zadig, in particular, express'd a more than common
Regard for a Man of so amiable a Behaviour. When the
Hermit and he were alone, and preparing for Bed, they
talk'd long in Praise of their new Host. As soon as Day-
light appear'd, the old Hermit wak'd his young Comrade.
'Tis Time to be gone, said he; but as all the House are
fast asleep, I'll leave a Token behind me of my Respect
and Affection for the Master of it. No sooner were the
Words out of his Mouth, but he struck a Light, kindled a
Torch, and set the Building in a Flame: Zadig, in the
utmost Confusion, shriek'd out, and would, if possible,
have prevented him from being guilty of such a
monstrous Act of Ingratitude. The Hermit dragg'd him
away, by a superior Force. The House was soon in a
Blaze: When they had got at 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 immense
Treasure, that will enable him, from henceforth, to exert
his Beneficence, and render his Virtues more and more
conspicuous. Zadig, tho' astonish'd to the last Degree,
attended him to their last Stage, which was to the Cottage

133
of a very virtuous and well-dispos'd Widow, who had a
Nephew of about fourteen Years of Age. He was a
hopeful Youth, and the Darling of her Heart. She
entertain'd her two Guests with the best Provisions her
little House afforded. In the Morning she order'd her
Nephew to attend them to an adjacent Bridge, which,
having been broken down some few Days before,
render'd the Passage dangerous to Strangers.

The Lad, being very attentive to wait on them, went

formost. When they were got upon the Bridge; come
hither, my pretty Boy, said the Hermit, I must give your
Aunt some small Token of my Respect for her last
Night's Favours. Upon that, he twisted his Fingers in the
Hair of his Head, and threw him, very calmly, into the
River. Down went the 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 of Villains,
cry'd Zadig! Didn't you promise, said the Hermit, to view
my Conduct with Patience? Know then, that had that
Boy liv'd but one Year longer, he would have murder'd
his Foster-Mother. Who told you so, you barbarous
Wretch, said Zadig? And when did you read that
inhuman Event in your Black-Book of Fate? Who gave
you Permission pray, to drown so innocent a Youth, that
had never disoblig'd you?

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No sooner had our young Babylonian ceas'd his severe
Reflections, but he perceiv'd that the old Hermit's long
Beard grew shorter and shorter; that the Furrows in his
Face began to fill up, and that his Cheeks glow'd with a
Rose-coloured Red, as if he had been in the Bloom of
Fifteen. His Mantle was vanish'd at once; and on his
Shoulders, which were before cover'd, appear'd four
angelic Wings, each refulgent as the Sun. O thou
Messenger of Heaven! O thou angelic Form! cry'd Zadig,
and fell prostrate at his Feet; thou art descended from the
Empireum, I find, to instruct such a poor frail Mortal as I
am, how to submit to the Mysteries of Fate. Mankind in
general, said the Angel Jesrad, judge of the Whole, by
only viewing the hither Link of the Chain. Thou, of all
the human Race, 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 one Scruple? 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 thus
unprepar'd in a Moment. Jesrad, replied, had he been
virtuous, and had he liv'd, 'twas his Fate not only to be
murder'd himself, but his Wife, whom he would
afterwards have married, and the little Infant, that was to
have been the Pledge of their mutual Affection. Is it
necessary then, venerable Guide, that there should be
Wickedness and Misfortunes in the World, and that those

135
Misfortunes should fall with Weight on the Heads of the
Righteous? The Wicked, replied Jesrad, are always
unhappy. Misfortunes are intended only as a Touch-
stone, to try a small Number of the Just, who are thinly
scatter'd about this terrestrial Globe: Besides, there is no
Evil under the Sun, but some Good proceeds from it:
But, said Zadig, Suppose the World was all Goodness,
and there was no such Thing in Nature as Evil. Then, that
World of yours, said Jesrad, would be another World;
the Chain of Events would be another Wisdom; and that
other Order, which would be perfect, must of Necessity
be the everlasting Residence of the supreme Being,
whom no Evil can approach. That great and first Cause
has created an infinite Number of Worlds, and no two of
them alike. This vast Variety is an Attribute of his
Omnipotence. There are not two Leaves on the Trees
throughout the Universe, nor any two Globes of Light
amongst the Myriad of Stars that deck the infinite
Expanse of Heaven, which are perfectly alike. And
whatever you see on that small Atom of Earth, whereof
you are a Native, must exist in the Place, and at the Time
appointed, according to the immutable Decrees of him
who comprehends the Whole. Mankind imagine, that the
Lad, whom I plung'd into the River, was drown'd by
Chance; and that our generous Benefactor's House was
reduc'd to Ashes by the same Chance; but know, there is
no such Thing as Chance, all Misfortunes are intended,

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either as severe Trials, Judgments, or Rewards; and are
the Result of Foreknowledge. 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 to
contend with what you ought to adore. But, said Zadig—
whilst the Sound of the Word But dwelt upon his
Tongue, the Angel took his Flight towards the tenth
Sphere. Zadig sunk down upon his Knees, and
acknowledg'd an over-ruling Providence with all the
Marks of the profoundest Submission. The Angel, as he
was soaring towards the Clouds, cried out in distinct
Accents; Make thy Way towards Babylon.

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 Chapter XVIII - The Ænigmas,
or Riddles
*
Zadig, as one beside himself, and perfectly thunder-
struck, beat his March at random. He entred, however,
into the City of Babylon, on that very Day, when those
Combatants who had been before engag'd in the List or
Circus, were already assembled in the spacious Outer-
Court of the Palace, in order to solve the Ænigmas, and
give the wisest Answers they could to such Questions, as
the Grand Magus should propose. All the Parties
concern'd were present, except the Knight of the Green
Armour. No sooner had Zadig made his Appearance in
the City, but the Populace flock'd round about him: No
Eye was satisfied with gazing at him: All in general were
lavish of their Praises, and in their Hearts wish'd him
their Sovereign, except the envious Man, who as he
pass'd by, fetch'd a deep Sigh, and turn'd his Head aside.
The Populace with loud Acclamations attended him to
the Palace-Gate. The Queen, who had heard of his

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Arrival, was in the utmost Agony, between Hope and
Despair. Her Vexation had almost brought her to Death's
Door; she couldn't conceive why Zadig should appear
without his Accoutrements, nor imagine which Way
Itobad could procure the snow-white Armour. At the
Sight of Zadig a confus'd Murmur ran thro' the whole
Place. Every Eye was surpriz'd, tho' charm'd at the same
Time to see him again: But then none were to be
admitted into the 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, before I can possibly prove my
Assertion, I insist upon being admitted into Court, in
order to give my Solutions to such Ænigmas as shall be
propos'd. 'Twas put to the Vote. As the Reputation of his
being a Man of the strictest Honour and Veracity was so
strongly imprinted on their Minds, the Motion of his
Admittance was carried in the Affirmative, without the
least Opposition.

The first Question the Grand Magus propos'd was this:

What is the longest and yet the shortest Thing in the
World; the most swift and the most slow; the most
divisible, and the most extended; the least valu'd, and the
most regretted; And without which nothing can possibly
be done: Which, in a Word, devours every Thing how

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minute soever, 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 Man of his Merit had something else to think on,
than idle Riddles; 'twas enough for him, that he was
acknowledg'd the Hero of the Circus. 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 is Time always wanting to
accomplish what we aim at. Nothing passes so slowly as
Time to him who is in Expectation; and nothing so swift
as Time to him who is in the perfect Enjoyment of his
Wishes. It's Extent is to Infinity, in the Whole; and
divisible to Infinity in part. All Men neglect it in the
Passage; and all regret the Loss of it when 'tis past.
Nothing can possibly be done without it; it buries in
Oblivion whatever is unworthy of being transmitted
down to Posterity; and it renders all illustrious Actions
immortal. The Assembly agreed unanimously that Zadig
was in the Right.

The next Question that was started, was, What is the

Thing we receive, without being ever thankful for it;
which we enjoy, without knowing how we came by it;

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which we give away to others, without knowing where
'tis to be found; and which we lose, without being any
ways conscious of our Misfortune?

Each pass'd his Verdict. Zadig was the only Person that
concluded it was LIFE. He solv'd every Ænigma
propos'd, with equal Facility. Itobad, when he heard the
Explications, always said that nothing in the World was
more easy, than to solve such obvious Questions; and
that he could interpret a thousand of them without the
least Hesitation, were he inclin'd to trouble his Head
about such Trifles. Other Questions were propos'd in
regard to Justice, the sovereign Good, and the Art of
Government. Zadig's Answers still carried the greatest
Weight. What Pity 'tis, said some who were present, that
one of so comprehensive a Genius, should make such a
scurvy Cavalier?

Most illustrious Grandees, said Zadig, I was the Person

that had the Honour of being Victor at your Circus; the
white Armour, most puissant 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.
Unaccoutred as I am, I am ready, before this august
Assembly, to give them incontestable Proof of my
superior Skill; to engage with the Usurper of the White

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Armour with my Sword only in my Mantle and Bonnet;
and to testify that I only was the happy Victor of the
justly admired Hottam.

Itobad accepted of the Challenge with all the Assurance

of Success imaginable. He did not doubt, but being
properly accoutred with his Helmet, his Cuirass, and his
Bracelets, he should be able to hue down an Antagonist,
in his Mantle and Cap, and nothing to skreen him from
his Resentment, but a single Sabre. Zadig drew his
Sword, and saluted the Queen with it, who view'd him
with Transport mix'd with Fear. Itobad drew his, but paid
his Compliments to Nobody. He approach'd Zadig, as
one, whom he imagin'd incapable of making any
considerable Resistance. He concluded, 'twas in his
Power to cut Zadig into Atoms. Zadig, however, knew
how to parry the Blow, by dexterously 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, as well as Skill, laid him sprawling on his
Back. Then holding the Point of his Sword to the
opening of his Cuirass, Submit to be stripp'd of your
borrow'd Plumes, or you are a dead Man this Moment.
Itobad, always surpriz'd, that any Disappointment should
attend a Man of such exalted Merit as himself, very
tamely permitted Zadig to disrobe him by Degrees of his

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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, and threw himself prostrate at her Feet. Cador
prov'd, without any great Difficulty, that the White
Armour was Zadig's Property. He was thereupon
acknowledg'd King of Babylon, by the unanimous
Content of the Whole Court; but more particularly with
the Approbation of Astarte, who after such a long Series
of Misfortunes, now tasted the Sweets of seeing her
darling Zadig thought worthy, in the Opinion of the
whole World, to be the Partner of her royal Bed. Itobad
withdrew, and contented himself with being call'd my
Lord within the narrow Compass of his own Domesticks.
Zadig, in short, was elected King, and was as happy as
any 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 of Dust metamorphosed into a
Diamond. The Queen and He ador'd the Divine
Providence. Zadig permitted Missouf, the Fair Coquet, to
make her Conquests where she could. He sent Couriers
to bring the Free-booter Arbogad to Court, and gave him
an Honourable Military Post in his Army, with a farther
Promise of Promotion to the highest Dignity; but upon

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this express Condition, that he would act for the future 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
his Profession of Free-booting for the future.

Setoc was sent for from the lonely Desarts of Arabia,

together with the fair Almonza, his new Bride, to preside
over the commercial Affairs of Babylon. Cador was
advanc'd to a Post near himself, and was his Favourite
Minister at Court, as the just Reward of his past Services.
He was, in short, the King's real Friend; and Zadig was
the only Monarch in the Universe that could boast of
such 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 considerable Sum
for the Injustice done him in detaining his Wife; but to
resign her likewise to the proper Owner: The Fisherman,
however, grown wise by Experience, soften'd the Rigour
of the Sentence, and took the Money only in full of all
Accounts.

He didn't leave so much as Semira wholly disconsolate,

tho' she had such an Aversion to a blind Eye; nor Azora
comfortless, notwithstanding her affectionate Intention to
shorten his Nose; for he sooth'd their Sorrows by very
munificent Presents. The envious Informer indeed, died

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with Shame and Vexation. The Empire was glorious
abroad, and in the full Enjoyment of Tranquility, Peace
and Plenty, at home: This, in short, was the true golden
Age. The whole Country was sway'd by Love and
Justice. Every one blest Zadig; and Zadig blest Heav'n
for his unexpected Success.

***

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 Endnotes
*
[1] 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.

[2] The Chinese Term, Li, signifies, properly speaking,

natural Light, or Reason.

[3] Tien, the Heavens, or the supreme Being.

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