Genii who preside over love, wafted their mutual vows of eternal constancy and truth, even to the sphere of Venus.

The whole train of slaves, after a long and fruitless search, returned to Ogul; when Zadig presented himself before him, and spoke to this effect--' May immortal health descend from heaven to preserve a life so precious as yours! I am a physician, and have hasted hither, at the report of your sickness, with a basilisk stewed in rose-water. As I can have no benefit of the high reward you have offered, in case my application succeeds, I only desire the liberty of a young Babylonian slave you have for some days had in your possession; and I consent to remain in slavery in her place, if I am not so happy as to restore the magnificent and illustrious lord Ogul to his former health and vigour.'

The proposal was accepted immediately, and Astarte set out for Babylon; promising speedily to send a courier to inform Zadig of all that should have passed. Their parting was as their meeting had been. The moment in which we meet, and in which we separate, are (as it is written in the Sacred book of Zend) the two most remarkable epochas of life. Zadig's love for the queen equalled his protestations; and the queen's love for Zadig was much greater than her words expressed.

In the mean time, Zadig spoke thus to Ogul-'My ord, my basilisk is not to be eaten; all its virtues must penetrate through the pores. I have put it in a little ball, blown up and covered with a fine skin: you must strike it with all your strength; and I must strike it back for some time. When you have for a

few days practised this regimen, the effects of my art will be perceived." On the first day Ogul was quite fatigued, and imagined he could not survive; on the second he was less tired, and slept better; in eight days he recovered all the strength, health, activity, and vigour, of his most agreeable years. 'You have played at ball and been moderate,' said Zadig, Know, then, that there is no such creature on earth as a basilisk; that exercise and temperance are friends to health; and that the art of making health and intemperance subsist together, is as chimerical as judicial astrology, or the philosopher's stone."

Ogul's former physician now perceiving how dan. gerous this man was to the cause of physic, raised a party amongst his dependants in order to destroy him; but, while they were concerting the destruction of Zadig, he received a courier from queen Astarte.

CHAPTER XVI.

THE TOURNAMENTS.

THE queen was received at Babylon with all those transports which are usually felt in favour of injured beauty. Babylon was at this time perfectly quiet and serene. The prince of Hircania had been slain in battle; and the Babylonians being conquerors, declared that Astarte should marry him whom they should choose for their sovereign. They would not have the first office in the world, that of husband to Astarte, and King of Babylon, depend on intrigues and cabals; they therefore swore to acknowledge for their king only him who was most valiant and possessed of the greatest wisdom. The lists were marked out at some leagues from the city, and surrounded by a magnificent amphitheatre. The combatants were to repair thither completely armed, and each had behind the amphitheatre a separate apartment, where he was neither to be seen nor known by any one. He was successively to encounter four knights; and those who were so happy as to conquer that number, were afterwards to engage against each other, in such a manner as that he who remained the last master of the field should be proclaimed conqueror at the games.

Four days after, he was to return with the same arms, and to explain such enigmas as the magi should propose; and, if he did not explain them, he was not to be king. The running at the lances was then to begin again, till a man should be found who was conqueror at both these combats; for they were resolutely bent on having a king possessed of the greatest valour and the most consummate wisdom. During all this time the queen was to be closely guarded, and only permitted to be a distant spectator of the games, covered with a veil; but they would not allow her te speak to any of the competitors, that they might have neither favour nor injustice.

Astarte made known to her lover the preliminary articles above mentioned, not doubting but he would shew himself, in such a cause, superior to every other person both in valour and wisdom. Zadig accordingly set out for Babylon; and besought Venus to fortify his courage, and illuminate his understanding, on this very important occasion.

He arrived on the banks of the Euphrates on the eve of this great day, and caused his device to be inscribed among those of the combatants, concealing his face and name, as the law required, and then went to repose himself in the apartment allotted him.

His friend Cador, who was returned to Babylon, after having in vain sought for him in Egypt, sent to his lodge a complete suit of armour, presented him by the queen, and also from himself the finest horse in Persia. Zadig attributed these presents to Astarte; and from this consideration his courage and his love derived fresh strength, and his mind was inspired with new hopes.

The next morning the queen having placed herself under a canopy sparkling with jewels, and the amphitheatre being filled with all the ladies, and with people of every station in Babylon, the combatants appeared in the circus. Each of them came and laid his device at the feet of the grand magi; with these devices they drew lots, and that of Zadig was the last. The first who advanced, was a lord of great wealth, named Itobad; he was filled with vanity, had little courage, was extremely awkward, and almost void of understanding. His parasites had persuaded him that such a man as he ought to be a king; he had answered them- Such a man as me ought to reign.' They had therefore armed him from head to foot. His armour was pure gold covered with green enamel; he had a plume of green feathers, and a lance adorned with green ribbands. It was quickly perceived, by the manner in which Itobad governed his horse, that it was not for such a man as him that heaven had destined the sceptre of Babylon. The first knight who tilted with him, drove him out a. hir saddle; the second threw him backwards over the horse's crupper, with his legs in the air, and his arms extended. He soon recovered himself, however, but with so ill a grace, that all the amphitheatre laughed heartily. A third disdained to use his lance against him, but making a feigned pass, took him by the right leg, and turning him half round, threw him upon the sand. The squires who attended ran laughing to his assistance, and replaced him in his saddle. The fourth knight then caught him by the left leg, and threw him off on the other side. After this, he was conveyed with scornful shouts from the multitude to his lodge, where, according to the rule prescribed, he was obliged to pass the night; and, as he hobbled with great difficulty along- What an adventure,' sighed he, 'is this, for such a man as me!'

The other knights performed their duty much better. There were those who conquered two combatants one after another; some proceeded even to three: none, however, but Prince Otamus, vanquished four. Zadig, at last, entered the lists, and successively threw four knights out of their saddles with the most graceful ease imaginable. It now remained to be tried whether Otamus or Zadig should be conqueror. The armour of the first was blue and gold, with a plume of the same colours; Zadig's were white. The wishes of the multitude were divided between the blue knight and the white. The queen, whose heart suffered the most violent palpitations, fervently petitioned heaven in behalf of the white.

The two champions made their passes and volts with such agility, they mutually gave and received