Itobad accepted 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. Zadig drew his Sword, and saluted the Queen with it, who view’d him with Transport mix’d with Fear. Itobad drew his, but paid his Compliments to Nobody. He approach’d Zadig, as one, whom he imagin’d incapable of making any considerable Resistance. He concluded, ’twas in his Power to cut Zadig into Atoms. Zadig, however, knew how to parry the Blow, by dexterously receiving it upon his Fort (as the Swords-men call it) by which Means Itobad’s Sword was snapt in two. With that Zadig in 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 permitted Zadig to disrobe him by Degrees of his pompous Helmet, his superb Cuirass, his rich Bracelets, his brilliant Cuisses, or Armour for his Thighs, and other Martial Accoutrements. When Zadig had equipp’d himself Cap-a-pee, in his now recover’d Armour, he flew to Astarte, and threw himself prostrate at her Feet. Cador prov’d, without any great Difficulty, that the White Armour was Zadig’s Property. He was thereupon acknowledg’d King of Babylon, by the unanimous Content of the Whole Court; but more particularly with the Approbation of Astarte, who after such a long Series of Misfortunes, now tasted the Sweets of seeing her darling Zadig thought worthy, in the Opinion of the whole World, to be the Partner of her royal Bed. Itobad withdrew, and contented himself with being call’d my Lord within 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 Angel Jesrad had said to him: Nay, he reflected so far back as the Story of the Arabian Atom of Dust metamorphosed into a Diamond. The Queen and He ador’d the Divine Providence. Zadig permitted Missouf, the Fair Coquet, to make her Conquests where she could. He sent Couriers to bring the Free-booter Arbogad to 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 Soldier of 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.

Setoc was sent for from the lonely Desarts of Arabia, together with the fair Almonza, his new Bride, to preside over the commercial Affairs of Babylon. Cador was 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; and Zadig was 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; and Orcan was sentenc’d, not only to pay him a very considerable Sum 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 as Semira wholly disconsolate, tho’ she had such an Aversion to a blind Eye; nor Azora comfortless, 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 true golden Age. The whole Country was sway’d by Love and Justice. Every one blest Zadig; and Zadig blest Heav’n for his unexpected Success.

FINIS.

Transcriber’s Notes: