AsZadigwas 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.Zadigthrew himself in his Way, and made him a profound Bow. The Hermit return’d the Compliment with such an Air of Majesty and Benevolence, thatZadig’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, theBook of Fate; will youplease to look at it. He put the Book into the Hands ofZadig, 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, saidZadig. 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.Zadighad a secret Regard for the 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, thatZadigwas attach’d to him by an invincible Charm. He begg’d earnestly that he would favour him with his Company toBabylon. That Favour I was going to ask my self, said the old Man. Swear to me byOrosmades, that you won’t leave me, for some Days at least, let me do what I please.Zadigtook 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 wentwith 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 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, saidZadig, 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 fewmusty 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 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 returningyou 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, saidZadig, 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, thatGrandee, 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.Zadigwas at a stand at present; 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 thebusy 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 inBabylon. He seem’d entirely to be in the Queen’s Interest, and heartily wish’d thatZadighad entred the Lists for the regal Prize: ButBabylon, said he, don’t deserve a King of so much Merit. A modest Blush appear’d inZadig’s Face at this unexpected Compliment, which innocentlyaggravated 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 Conduct of the Whole, upon the bare Inspection of the minutest Part.
The next Topick they entred upon was the Passions. Alas! saidZadig, 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.
Zadigstood 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 Timesome Silver, to defray their Expences on 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 forBabylonby 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 werethe 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 theCottage 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 hisHead, 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’dZadig! 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, saidZadig? And when did you read that inhuman Event in yourBlack-BookofFate? Who gave you Permission pray, to drown so innocent a Youth, that had never disoblig’d you?
No sooner had our youngBabylonianceas’d his severe Reflections, but he perceiv’d that the old Hermit’s long Beard grewshorter 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’dZadig, 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 AngelJesrad, 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’dLeave 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 hisFatenot 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 Misfortunes should fall with Weight on the Heads of the Righteous? The Wicked, repliedJesrad, are always unhappy. Misfortunes areintended 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, saidZadig, Suppose the World was all Goodness, and there was no such Thing in Nature as Evil. Then, that World of yours, saidJesrad, 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 throughoutthe 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 byChance; and that our generous Benefactor’s House was reduc’d to Ashes by the sameChance; but know, there is no such Thing asChance, all Misfortunes are intended, 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 Mortalbreathing. The greatOrasmades, sent you to amend his Situation. Frail Mortal! Cease to contend with what you ought to adore. But, saidZadig—whilst the Sound of the Word But dwelt upon his Tongue, the Angel took his Flight towards the tenth Sphere.Zadigsunk 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 towardsBabylon.
Zadig, as one beside himself, and perfectly thunder-struck, beat his March at random. He entred, however, into the City ofBabylon, 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 theGrand Magusshould propose. All the Parties concern’d were present, except the Knight of the Green Armour. No sooner hadZadigmade his Appearancein 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 Arrival, was in the utmost Agony, between Hope and Despair. Her Vexation had almost brought her to Death’s Door; she couldn’t conceive whyZadigshould appear without his Accoutrements, nor imagine which WayItobadcould procure the snow-white Armour. At the Sight ofZadiga confus’d Murmur ran thro’ the whole Place. Every Eye was surpriz’d, tho’ charm’d at the same Timeto 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, saidZadig, 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 theGrand Maguspropos’d was this: What is the longest and yet the shortestThing 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 minute soever, and yet gives Life and Spirit to every Object or Being, however Great?
Itobadhad 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 wasFortune; others said theEarth; and others again theLight: ButZadigpronounced it to beTime. Nothing, said he, can be longer, since ’tis theMeasure 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 thatZadigwas 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; 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.Zadigwas the only Person that concluded it wasLife. 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 werepropos’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, saidZadig, 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, LordItobad, 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 engagewith the Usurper of the White Armour with my Sword only in my Mantle and Bonnet; and to testify that I only was the happy Victor of the justly admiredHottam.
Itobadaccepted 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.Zadigdrew his Sword, and saluted the Queen with it, who view’d him with Transport mix’d with Fear.Itobaddrew his, but paid his Compliments to Nobody. He approach’dZadig, as one, whom he imagin’d incapable of making anyconsiderable Resistance. He concluded, ’twas in his Power to cutZadiginto Atoms.Zadig, however, knew how to parry the Blow, by dexterously receiving it upon hisFort(as the Swords-men call it) by which MeansItobad’s Sword was snapt in two. With thatZadigin 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 permittedZadigto disrobe him by Degrees of his pompousHelmet, his superb Cuirass, his rich Bracelets, his brilliant Cuisses, or Armour for his Thighs, and other Martial Accoutrements. WhenZadighad equipp’d himselfCap-a-pee, in his now recover’d Armour, he flew toAstarte, and threw himself prostrate at her Feet.Cadorprov’d, without any great Difficulty, that the White Armour wasZadig’s Property. He was thereupon acknowledg’d King ofBabylon, by the unanimous Content of the Whole Court; but more particularly with the Approbation ofAstarte, who after such a long Series of Misfortunes, now tasted the Sweets of seeing her darlingZadigthought worthy, in the Opinion of the whole World, to be the Partner of her royal Bed.Itobadwithdrew, and contentedhimself with being call’dmy Lordwithin 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 AngelJesradhad said to him: Nay, he reflected so far back as the Story of theArabianAtom of Dust metamorphosed into a Diamond. The Queen and He ador’d the Divine Providence.ZadigpermittedMissouf, the Fair Coquet, to make her Conquests where she could. He sent Couriers to bring the Free-booterArbogadto Court, and gave him an Honourable Military Post in his Army, with a farther Promise of Promotion to the highest Dignity; but upon this express Condition, that he would act for the future as a Soldierof 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.
Setocwas sent for from the lonely Desarts ofArabia, together with the fairAlmonza, his new Bride, to preside over the commercial Affairs ofBabylon.Cadorwas 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; andZadigwas 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; andOrcanwas sentenc’d, not only to pay him a very considerableSum 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 asSemirawholly disconsolate, tho’ she had such an Aversion to a blind Eye; norAzoracomfortless, notwithstanding her affectionate Intention to shorten his Nose; for he sooth’d their Sorrows by very munificent Presents. The envious Informer indeed, died 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 truegolden Age. The whole Country was sway’d by Love and Justice. Every one blestZadig; andZadigblest Heav’n for his unexpected Success.
FINIS.
Transcriber’s Notes:Spelling and punctuation are as found (for example,Itabod/Itobadwas left as printed), with one exception: the original reads “purcha’d” in “AnArabianMerchant,Setocby Name, purchas’d them both;”Hyphenated words are closed up if all other examples are closed, otherwise not. If there is a mix of broken and not, then it was left with a hyphen.Page numbers are moved to end of the word if it was broken at a page break.