Detail of her own Misfortunes, and again requested to know his. Both of them, in short, having, in some Measure, appeas'd the Tumult of their Souls; _Zadig_, in a few Words, inform'd her of the Motives that brought him thither. But tell me, O unfortunate, tho' ever-venerable Queen, how I came to find you out, reclining on this verdant Bank, dress'd in this servile Habit, accompanied by other Female Slaves, who, I find, have been all Day long in Quest after a _Basilisk_, which, as I understand, is by Order of a celebrated Physician, to be dissolv'd in Rose-water, as a specific Medicine for his dying Patient. Whilst they busy in their fruitless Search, said the beauteous _Astarte_, I'll tell you the whole Series of Sorrows which I have undergone since last we parted; and since Heav'n has thus unexpectedly blest my Eyes once more with the Sight of my dear _Zadig_, I'll no longer exclaim against my impropitious Stars. You are not insensible, that the jealous King my Spouse, was disgusted to find you the most amiable of all Mortals, and that for no other Reason he determin'd to strangle you, and poison me. You know very well too, that indulgent Heav'n inspir'd, as it were, my little Dwarf, with artful Means to give me timely Notice of the rash Resolutions of the King, my cruel Husband. No sooner had the faithful _Cador_ oblig'd you to obey my Orders, and to fly the Court, but he ventur'd to enter my Apartment in the Dead of Night thro' a private Door. He snatch'd me up, and convey'd me directly into the Temple of _Orosmades_, where the holy _Magus_, who was his Brother, lock'd me up in that august and awful Statue, that stands erect upon the Pavement of the Temple, and _Colossus_-like, touches the lofty Ceiling with his Head. There I lay conceal'd, or rather buried for some Time; tho' taken all imaginable Care of, and furnish'd with all the Necessaries of Life by that venerable, and loyal Priest. In the mean Time, his Apothecary enter'd at Break of Day into my Apartment, with a Potion in his Hand, compos'd of Opium, black Hellebore, Aconite, and other Ingredients still more baneful. Whilst this mercenary Officer of the King's Vengeance was thus employ'd, another as inhuman as himself, went to your Lodgings with the silken Cord. Both, however, were disappointed, as both of us were fled. _Cador_, very officious, flew to the King, in order the more artfully to blind him; and in a feign'd Passion, rail'd at us both, and charg'd us both as perfidious Traitors. As for that Villain _Zadig_, said he, he has taken his Flight towards _India_; and your false, ungrateful Consort, Sire, said he, is fled to _Memphis_. The Guards were order'd that Moment to pursue us both.