such shocks from each other's lances, and sat so firmly in their saddles, that every one but the queen wished to have two kings in Babylon. At last, their horses being weary, and their lances broken, Zadig made use of this stratagem: he passed artfully behind his antagonist, sprung nimbly upon his horse, seized the knight in his arms, threw him to the earth, and placing himself on the saddle, wheeled about Otamus, who lay extended in the dust. All the spectators cried out with loud acclamations, Victory to the white knight!' Otamus, highly enraged, arose and drew his sword, and Zadig leaped from his horse with his sabre in his hand. They were now both on the ground, engaged in a new combat, where strength and agility triumphed by turns. The plumes of their helmets, the studs of their brassarts, and the rings of which their armour was composed, flew afar off, by the force of a thousand precipitate blows. They sometimes struck at each other with their swords, at other times they thrust, as occasion best served; now on the right, then on the left; now on the head; then at the breast; they retreated, they advanced; they kept at a distance, they closed again; they grappled with each other, twining themselves like serpents; in short, they struggled and engaged as fiercely as two Lybian lions fighting for their prey, and their swords struck fire almost at every blow. At last Zadig for a moment stood still, and having in an instant recovered his breath, made a false pass at the prince, threw him on the ground, and disarmed him.

tamus then cried out- O thou knight in white armour! it is you alone who are destined to reign over Babylon.' The queen was transported with joy. The

knight in blue armour and the knight in white, were each conducted to their lodges, in conformity to the rules prescribed, and they were waited on by mutes, who carried them proper refreshments. It is easy to imagine that the queen's dwarf was appointed to wait on Zadig. After supper the mutes withdrew, and left the combatants to rest their wearied limbs till the next morning, when the conqueror was to produce his device before the grand magi, to compare it, and to make himself known.

Zadig slept pretty sound, notwithstanding his affection for the queen, so much was he fatigued: but Itobad, who lay near him, could not once close his eyes; he arose therefore during the night, entered Zadig's lodge, took his white armour and device, put his green armour in their place, and at day-break went boldly to the grand magi, to declare himself the mighty hero, the thrice happy conqueror. It is true, no one expected to see him the victor; he was, however proclaimed, while Zadig still slept. Astarte, astonished, and with her heart filled with despair, returned to Babylon. When Zadig awoke, the amphitheatre was almost empty; he sought for his arms, but finding none but the green, he was obliged to cover himself with them, because he had nothing else near him: confounded and enraged, he put them on, and went forth in this equipage.

Those who still remained in the circus, now received him with hootings; they surrounded him, and insulted him to his face: never man suffered such humbling mortifications. At length his patience forsook him; he dispersed, by striking with his sabre, the populace who dared to affront him; but he knew

not what measures to pursue, or how to rectify the mistake. He could not see the queen, nor could he reclaim the white armour she had sent him, without exposing her thus, while plunged in grief, he was filled with rage and inquietude. He walked on the banks of the Euphrates, fully persuaded that Fate had destined him to be irremediably wretched, and revolving in his mind all his misfortunes, from the adventure of the damsel who had an aversion to oneeyed men, to that by which he had lost his armour. This has happened,' said he, from my having awaked too late. Had I slept less, I should not only have been king of Babylon, but should also have been completely happy in the embraces of my dearest Astarte. The vast knowledge of the sciences, the sincere love of virtue, and the personal strength and courage I can boast, have answered no other purpose than involving me in misfortunes.' He at last presumed to murmur at the unequal dispensation of Divine Providence and was tempted to believe that all occurrences were governed by a cruel destiny, which oppressed the good, and gave prosperity to knights in green armour. One cause of this vexation was, his wearing the very green armour which had drawn on him such disgrace; and a merchant happening to pass by, exchanged it for a robe and bonnet. In this dress he walked along the banks of the Euphrates, filled with the deepest despair, and secretly accusing Providence for involving him in so many afflictions.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE HERMIT.

WHILE Zadig was thus rambling, he met a hermit, whose white and venerable beard descended even to his girdle, and who held in his hand a book which he seemed to read with much attention. Zadig approached him with a most profound obeisance, and the hermit returned his salute with an air so noble and beneficent, that he had the curiosity to converse with him. He asked of the venerable stranger the subject of the book he was reading; who informed him, it was the Book of Fate; and demanding if he wished to peruse it, put the book into his hands. Zadig, notwithstanding he was versed in many languages, could not explain a single character; this still more increased his curiosity. 'You appear to be much disturbed,' said the good father. 'Alas! I have but too much reason to be so,' said Zadig. 'If you permit me to accompany you,' replied the hermit, 'perhaps I may be of service to you; for I have sometimes poured the balm of consolation into the souls of the unhappy.' The air, the beard, and the book of the hermit, filled Zadig with the greatest respect for this venerable stranger, whose conversation diffused a superior and sublime knowledge into his soul. He discoursed of destiny, of justice, of morals, of the sovereign good, of human frailty, and of virtues and vices, with such a lively and persuasive eloquence, that Zadig felt himself attached to his person by an irresistible charm, and earnestly intreated the venerable stranger not to leave him till they returned

to Babylon. I myself desire this favour,' said the old man : 6 'swear by Orosmades, that whatever I do, you will not leave me for some days at least.' Zadig signified his assent, and they set out together.

The two travellers arrived that evening at a superb castle, when the hermit begged an hospitable reception for himself and the young man who accompanied him. The porter, who might have been taken for a great lord, introduced them with a kind of disdainful goodness; and they were conducted to a principal domestic, who shewed them the magnificent apartments of his master. They were admitted to the lower end of his table, without being honoured by the lord of the castle with the least notice; but were served with the same delicacy and profusion as the rest of his guests. After supper, water was brought them to wash, in a gold bason adorned with rubies and emeralds; and they were then conducted to an apartment richly furnished, in which they took their rest. When they arose in the morning, a servant presented to each a piece of gold, and they proceeded on their way.

"The lord of this castle,' said Zadig, as they passed along, appears to me a very hospitable man, though somewhat too haughty.' While he uttered these words, he took notice that the hermit's pocket, though very large, was considerably extended, and soon perceived that this appearance was occasioned by the golden bason which his fellow traveller had stolen. He was afraid to mention what he saw, but the thoughts of it gave him much concern. About noon, the hermit stood before the door of a little cottage, the residence of a rich miser, and desired they