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 ?nigmas, 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 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 ?nigmas 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 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 ?nigma 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; 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 ?nigma 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 ............