“This,” said he, “is the consequence of my having slept too long.  Had I slept less, I should now have been King of Babylon and in possession of Astarte.  Knowledge, virtue, and courage have hitherto served only to make me miserable.”  He then let fall some secret murmurings against Providence, and was tempted to believe that the world was governed by a cruel destiny, which oppressed the good and prospered knights in green armor.  One of his greatest mortifications was his being obliged to wear that green armor which had exposed him to such contumelious treatment.  A merchant happening to pass by, he sold it to him for a trifle and bought a gown and a long bonnet.  In this garb he proceeded along the banks of the Euphrates, filled with despair, and secretly accusing Providence, which thus continued to persecute him with unremitting severity.

THE HERMIT

While he was thus sauntering he met a hermit, whose white and venerable beard hung down to his girdle.  He held a book in his hand, which he read with great attention.  Zadig stopped, and made him a profound obeisance.  The hermit returned the compliment with such a noble and engaging air, that Zadig had the curiosity to enter into conversation with him.  He asked him what book it was that he had been reading?  “It is the Book of Destinies,” said the hermit; “wouldst thou choose to look into it?” He put the book into the hands of Zadig, who, thoroughly versed as he was in several languages, could not decipher a single character of it.  This only redoubled his curiosity.

“Thou seemest,” said this good father, “to be in great distress.”

“Alas,” replied Zadig, “I have but too much reason.”

“If thou wilt permit me to accompany thee,” resumed the old man, “perhaps I may be of some service to thee.  I have often poured the balm of consolation into the bleeding heart of the unhappy.”

Zadig felt himself inspired with respect for the air, the beard, and the book of the hermit.  He found, in the course of the conversation, that he was possessed of superior degrees of knowledge.  The hermit talked of fate, of justice, of morals, of the chief good, of human weakness, and of virtue and vice, with such a spirited and moving eloquence, that Zadig felt himself drawn toward him by an irresistible charm.  He earnestly entreated the favor of his company till their return to Babylon.

“I ask the same favor of thee,” said the old man; “swear to me by Oromazes, that whatever I do, thou wilt not leave me for some days.”  Zadig swore, and they set out together.