t invincible courage. The queen was all the while to
be strictly guarded: she was only allowed to be present at the games,
and even there she was to be covered with a veil; but was not permitted
to speak to any of the competitors, that so they might neither receive
favor, nor suffer injustice.

These particulars Astarte communicated to her lover, hoping that in
order to obtain her he would show himself possessed of greater courage
and wisdom than any other person. Zadig set out on his journey,
beseeching Venus to fortify his courage and enlighten his
understanding. He arrived on the banks of the Euphrates on the eve of
this great day. He caused his device to be inscribed among those of the
combatants, concealing his face and his name, as the law ordained; and
then went to repose himself in the apartment that fell to him by lot.
His friend Cador, who, after the fruitless search he had made for him
in Egypt, was now returned to Babylon, sent to his tent a complete suit
of armor, which was a present from the queen; as also, from himself,
one of the finest horses in Persia. Zadig presently perceived that
these presents were sent by Astarte; and from thence his courage
derived fresh strength, and his love the most animating hopes.

Next day, the queen being seated under a canopy of jewels, and the
amphitheaters filled with all the gentlemen and ladies of rank in
Babylon, the combatants appeared in the circus. Each of them came and
laid his device at the feet of the grand magi. They drew their devices
by lot; and that of Zadig was the last. The first who advanced was a
certain lord, named Itobad, very rich and very vain, but possessed of
little courage, of less address, and hardly of any judgment at all. His
servants had persuaded him that such a man as he ought to be king; he
had said in reply, "Such a man as I ought to reign"; and thus they had
armed him for a cap-a-pie. He wore an armor of gold enameled with
green, a plume of green feathers, and a lance adorned with green
ribbons. It was instantly perceived by the manner in which Itobad
managed his horse, that it was not for such a man as he that Heaven
reserved the scepter of Babylon. The first knight that ran against him
threw him out of his saddle; the second laid him flat on his horse's
buttocks, with his legs in the air, and his arms extended. Itobad
recovered himself, but with so bad a grace that the whole amphitheater
burst out a-laughing. The third knight disdaine