me and other men.  I had my share of the good things of this world; and was even recompensed with usury for the hardships I had suffered.  I was greatly respected, and became the captain of a band of robbers.  I seized this castle by force.  The Satrap of Syria had a mind to dispossess me of it; but I was too rich to have any thing to fear.  I gave the satrap a handsome present, by which means I preserved my castle and increased my possessions.  He even appointed me treasurer of the tributes which Arabia Petraea pays to the king of kings.  I perform my office of receiver with great punctuality; but take the freedom to dispense with that of paymaster.

“The grand Desterham of Babylon sent hither a pretty satrap in the name of King Moabdar, to have me strangled.  This man arrived with his orders:  I was apprised of all; I caused to be strangled in his presence the four persons he had brought with him to draw the noose; after which I asked him how much his commission of strangling me might be worth.  He replied, that his fees would amount to about three hundred pieces of gold.  I then convinced him that he might gain more by staying with me.  I made him an inferior robber; and he is now one of my best and richest officers.  If thou wilt take my advice thy success may be equal to his; never was there a better season for plunder, since King Moabdar is killed, and all Babylon thrown into confusion.”

“Moabdar killed!” said Zadig, “and what is become of Queen Astarte?”

“I know not,” replied Arbogad.  “All I know is, that Moabdar lost his senses and was killed; that Babylon is a scene of disorder and bloodshed; that all the empire is desolated; that there are some fine strokes to be struck yet; and that, for my own part, I have struck some that are admirable.”

“But the queen,” said Zadig; “for heaven’s sake, knowest thou nothing of the queen’s fate?”

“Yes,” replied he, “I have heard something of a prince of Hircania; if she was not killed in the tumult, she is probably one of his concubines; but I am much fonder of booty than news.  I have taken several women in my excursions; but I keep none of them.  I sell them at a high price, when they are beautiful, without inquiring who they are.  In commodities of this kind rank makes no difference, and a queen that is ugly will never find a merchant.  Perhaps I may have sold Queen Astarte; perhaps she is dead; but, be it as it will, it is of little consequence to me, and I should imagine of as little to thee.”  So saying he drank a large draught which threw all his ideas into such confusion that Zadig could obtain no further information.

Zadig remained for some time without speech, sense, or motion.  Arbogad continued drinking; told stories; constantly repeated that he was the happiest man in the world; and exhorted Zadig to put himself in the same condition.  At last the soporiferous fumes of the wine lulled him into a gentle repose.