Chapter 6

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 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_ 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 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 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 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 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.

CHAP. 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 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 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, 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; 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.