Cacambo expressed his curiosity to the landlord, who made answer:
Cacambo told the landlord he was curious. The landlord replied:
"I am very ignorant, but not the worse on that account. However, we have in this neighbourhood an old man retired from Court who is the most learned and most communicative person in the kingdom."
"I am very ignorant. That does not make me any worse off. We have an old man in this neighborhood who retired from the Court. He is the most learned and most talkative person in the kingdom."
At once he took Cacambo to the old man. Candide acted now only a second character, and accompanied his valet. They entered a very plain house, for the door was only of silver, and the ceilings were only of gold, but wrought in so elegant a taste as to vie with the richest. The antechamber, indeed, was only encrusted with rubies and emeralds, but the order in which everything was arranged made amends for this great simplicity.
At once he took Cacambo to the old man. Candide now played only a second part and went along with his valet. They entered a very plain house, for the door was only of silver, and the ceilings were only of gold. But these were worked in such elegant taste that they rivaled the richest. The antechamber, it is true, was only encrusted with rubies and emeralds. But the order in which everything was arranged made up for this great simplicity.
The old man received the strangers on his sofa, which was stuffed with humming-birds' feathers, and ordered his servants to present them with liqueurs in diamond goblets; after which he satisfied their curiosity in the following terms:
The old man welcomed the strangers onto his sofa. It was stuffed with hummingbird feathers. He had his servants bring them liqueurs in diamond goblets. Then he satisfied their curiosity with these words:
"I am now one hundred and seventy-two years old, and I learnt of my late father, Master of the Horse to the King, the amazing revolutions of Peru, of which he had been an eyewitness. The kingdom we now inhabit is the ancient country of the Incas, who quitted it very imprudently to conquer another part of the world, and were at length destroyed by the Spaniards.
"I am now 172 years old. I learned about the astonishing revolutions in Peru from my late father, Master of the Horse to the King. He had witnessed them himself. The kingdom we now live in is the old country of the Incas. They very foolishly left it to try to conquer another part of the world. They were eventually destroyed by the Spaniards.
"More wise by far were the princes of their family, who remained in their native country; and they ordained, with the consent of the whole nation, that none of the inhabitants should ever be permitted to quit this little kingdom; and this has preserved our innocence and happiness. The Spaniards have had a confused notion of this country, and have called it El Dorado; and an Englishman, whose name was Sir Walter Raleigh, came very near it about a hundred years ago; but being surrounded by inaccessible rocks and precipices, we have hitherto been sheltered from the rapaciousness of European nations, who have an inconceivable passion for the pebbles and dirt of our land, for the sake of which they would murder us to the last man."
"The wiser princes of their family who stayed in their native country behaved much better. They decreed, with the whole nation's agreement, that no inhabitant should ever be allowed to leave this small kingdom. This has preserved our innocence and happiness. The Spaniards had a confused idea of this land. They called it El Dorado. An Englishman named Sir Walter Raleigh came very near it about a hundred years ago. But because it is surrounded by impassable rocks and cliffs, we have so far been sheltered from the greed of European nations. They have an unimaginable passion for the pebbles and dirt of our land. For those pebbles and dirt they would murder us to the last man."
The conversation was long: it turned chiefly on their form of government, their manners, their women, their public entertainments, and the arts. At length Candide, having always had a taste for metaphysics, made Cacambo ask whether there was any religion in that country.
The conversation was long. They talked mainly about their form of government, their manners, their women, their public entertainments, and the arts. After a while, Candide, who had always liked metaphysics, asked Cacambo to ask whether the country had any religion.
The old man reddened a little.
The old man's face reddened slightly.
"How then," said he, "can you doubt it? Do you take us for ungrateful wretches?"
"How can you still doubt it?" he said. "Do you think we are ungrateful wretches?"
Cacambo humbly asked, "What was the religion in El Dorado?"
Cacambo asked politely, "What religion did they have in El Dorado?"
The old man reddened again.
The old man turned red again.
"Can there be two religions?" said he. "We have, I believe, the religion of all the world: we worship God night and morning."
"Can there be two religions?" he said. "I believe we have the religion of the whole world. We worship God morning and night."
"Do you worship but one God?" said Cacambo, who still acted as interpreter in representing Candide's doubts.
"Do you worship only one God?" said Cacambo. He still acted as interpreter and expressed Candide's doubts.
"Surely," said the old man, "there are not two, nor three, nor four. I must confess the people from your side of the world ask very extraordinary questions."
"Surely," said the old man, "there are not two, not three, not four. I must admit people from your part of the world ask very strange questions."
Candide was not yet tired of interrogating the good old man; he wanted to know in what manner they prayed to God in El Dorado.
Candide was not yet tired of questioning the good old man. He wanted to know how they prayed to God in El Dorado.
"We do not pray to Him," said the worthy sage; "we have nothing to ask of Him; He has given us all we need, and we return Him thanks without ceasing."
"We do not pray to him," said the worthy sage. "We have nothing to ask of him. He has given us all we need, and we thank him constantly."
Candide having a curiosity to see the priests asked where they were. The good old man smiled.
Candide was curious to see the priests. He asked where they were. The good old man smiled.
"My friend," said he, "we are all priests. The King and all the heads of families sing solemn canticles of thanksgiving every morning, accompanied by five or six thousand musicians."
"My friend," he said, "we are all priests. The King and all the heads of households sing solemn hymns of thanksgiving every morning. They are accompanied by five or six thousand musicians."
"What! have you no monks who teach, who dispute, who govern, who cabal, and who burn people that are not of their opinion?"
"What! Don't you have monks who teach, argue, govern, plot, and burn people who disagree with them?"
"We must be mad, indeed, if that were the case," said the old man; "here we are all of one opinion, and we know not what you mean by monks."
"We'd have to be crazy if that were true," said the old man. "We're all of the same opinion here, and we don't know what you mean by monks."
During this whole discourse Candide was in raptures, and he said to himself:
Throughout the whole discussion, Candide was delighted. He said to himself:
"This is vastly different from Westphalia and the Baron's castle. Had our friend Pangloss seen El Dorado he would no longer have said that the castle of Thunder-ten-Tronckh was the finest upon earth. It is evident that one must travel."
"This is very different from Westphalia and the Baron's castle. If our friend Pangloss had seen El Dorado, he would not have said so. He would not have called the castle of Thunder-ten-Tronckh the finest on earth. It is clear that one must travel."
After this long conversation the old man ordered a coach and six sheep to be got ready, and twelve of his domestics to conduct the travellers to Court.
After that long conversation, the old man ordered a coach and six sheep to be prepared. He had twelve of his servants escort the travellers to Court.
"Excuse me," said he, "if my age deprives me of the honour of accompanying you. The King will receive you in a manner that cannot displease you; and no doubt you will make an allowance for the customs of the country, if some things should not be to your liking."
"Excuse me," he said. "My age keeps me from the honor of accompanying you. The King will receive you in a way that should please you. And no doubt you will make allowances for the country's customs if some things are not to your liking."
Candide and Cacambo got into the coach, the six sheep flew, and in less than four hours they reached the King's palace situated at the extremity of the capital. The portal was two hundred and twenty feet high, and one hundred wide; but words are wanting to express the materials of which it was built. It is plain such materials must have prodigious superiority over those pebbles and sand which we call gold and precious stones.
Candide and Cacambo got into the coach. The six sheep flew, and in less than four hours they reached the King's palace, at the far end of the capital. The portal was two hundred and twenty feet high and one hundred wide. But words fail to express the materials it was built of. It is plain that such materials must be prodigiously superior to those pebbles and that sand which we call gold and precious stones.
Twenty beautiful damsels of the King's guard received Candide and Cacambo as they alighted from the coach, conducted them to the bath, and dressed them in robes woven of the down of humming-birds; after which the great crown officers, of both sexes, led them to the King's apartment, between two files of musicians, a thousand on each side. When they drew near to the audience chamber Cacambo asked one of the great officers in what way he should pay his obeisance to his Majesty; whether they should throw themselves upon their knees or on their stomachs; whether they should put their hands upon their heads or behind their backs; whether they should lick the dust off the floor; in a word, what was the ceremony?
Twenty beautiful damsels of the King's guard met Candide and Cacambo when they got out of the coach. They led them to the bath and dressed them in robes woven from the down of hummingbirds. Then the great crown officers, both men and women, led them to the King's apartment. Musicians formed two files, a thousand on each side. As they drew near the audience chamber, Cacambo asked one of the great officers how he should pay his obeisance to his Majesty. Should they throw themselves on their knees or on their stomachs? Should they put their hands on their heads or behind their backs? Should they lick the dust off the floor? In short, what was the ceremony?
"The custom," said the great officer, "is to embrace the King, and to kiss him on each cheek."
"It's the custom," the senior officer said. "You embrace the King and kiss him on each cheek."
Candide and Cacambo threw themselves round his Majesty's neck. He received them with all the goodness imaginable, and politely invited them to supper.
Candide and Cacambo threw their arms around the king's neck. He received them with great kindness. He politely invited them to supper.
While waiting they were shown the city, and saw the public edifices raised as high as the clouds, the market places ornamented with a thousand columns, the fountains of spring water, those of rose water, those of liqueurs drawn from sugar-cane, incessantly flowing into the great squares, which were paved with a kind of precious stone, which gave off a delicious fragrancy like that of cloves and cinnamon. Candide asked to see the court of justice, the parliament. They told him they had none, and that they were strangers to lawsuits. He asked if they had any prisons, and they answered no. But what surprised him most and gave him the greatest pleasure was the palace of sciences, where he saw a gallery two thousand feet long, and filled with instruments employed in mathematics and physics.
While they waited, they were shown the city. They saw public buildings rising as high as the clouds. The marketplaces were decorated with a thousand columns. There were fountains of spring water, fountains of rose water, and fountains of liqueurs made from sugar-cane. These flowed constantly into the large squares. The squares were paved with a kind of precious stone that gave off a delicious scent like cloves and cinnamon. Candide asked to see the court of justice and the parliament. They told him they had none and that they were strangers to lawsuits. He asked if they had any prisons. They answered no. What surprised and pleased him most was the palace of sciences. There he saw a gallery two thousand feet long, filled with instruments used in mathematics and physics.
After rambling about the city the whole afternoon, and seeing but a thousandth part of it, they were reconducted to the royal palace, where Candide sat down to table with his Majesty, his valet Cacambo, and several ladies. Never was there a better entertainment, and never was more wit shown at a table than that which fell from his Majesty. Cacambo explained the King's bon-mots to Candide, and notwithstanding they were translated they still appeared to be bon-mots. Of all the things that surprised Candide this was not the least.
They wandered about the city the whole afternoon and saw only a thousandth part of it. Then they were led back to the royal palace. There Candide sat down to table with his Majesty, his valet Cacambo, and several ladies. Never was there a better banquet, and never was more wit shown at any table than came from his Majesty. Cacambo explained the King's bon-mots to Candide, and even though they were translated, they still seemed to be bon-mots. Of all the things that surprised Candide, this was not the least.
They spent a month in this hospitable place. Candide frequently said to Cacambo:
They stayed a month in that welcoming place. Candide often said to Cacambo:
"I own, my friend, once more that the castle where I was born is nothing in comparison with this; but, after all, Miss Cunegonde is not here, and you have, without doubt, some mistress in Europe. If we abide here we shall only be upon a footing with the rest, whereas, if we return to our old world, only with twelve sheep laden with the pebbles of El Dorado, we shall be richer than all the kings in Europe. We shall have no more Inquisitors to fear, and we may easily recover Miss Cunegonde."
"I admit, my friend, the castle where I was born is nothing compared to this one. But Miss Cunegonde is not here. You probably have some mistress in Europe. If we stay here, we will be no better off than everyone else. If we return to our old world with only twelve sheep loaded with pebbles from El Dorado, we will be richer than all the kings in Europe. We will no longer have Inquisitors to fear. We can easily get Miss Cunegonde back."
This speech was agreeable to Cacambo; mankind are so fond of roving, of making a figure in their own country, and of boasting of what they have seen in their travels, that the two happy ones resolved to be no longer so, but to ask his Majesty's leave to quit the country.
This speech pleased Cacambo. Mankind is so fond of roving, of cutting a figure in their own country, and of boasting about what they have seen on their travels, that the two happy ones resolved to be happy no longer. They would ask his Majesty's leave to quit the country.
"You are foolish," said the King. "I am sensible that my kingdom is but a small place, but when a person is comfortably settled in any part he should abide there. I have not the right to detain strangers. It is a tyranny which neither our manners nor our laws permit. All men are free. Go when you wish, but the going will be very difficult. It is impossible to ascend that rapid river on which you came as by a miracle, and which runs under vaulted rocks. The mountains which surround my kingdom are ten thousand feet high, and as steep as walls; they are each over ten leagues in breadth, and there is no other way to descend them than by precipices. However, since you absolutely wish to depart, I shall give orders to my engineers to construct a machine that will convey you very safely. When we have conducted you over the mountains no one can accompany you further, for my subjects have made a vow never to quit the kingdom, and they are too wise to break it. Ask me besides anything that you please."
"You are foolish," said the King. "I know my kingdom is small. But when someone is comfortably settled in a place, they should stay. I have no right to detain strangers. Our customs and laws forbid that kind of tyranny. Everyone is free. Leave whenever you like, but the journey will be hard. It is impossible to go back up that fast river you came on, which flows under vaulted rocks. The mountains around my kingdom rise ten thousand feet and are as steep as walls. Each is more than ten leagues across. There is no way down except by cliffs. However, since you insist on leaving, I will order my engineers to build a machine to carry you safely. Once we have taken you over the mountains, no one can go with you any farther. My subjects have vowed never to leave the kingdom, and they are too wise to break it. Ask me anything else you wish."
"We desire nothing of your Majesty," says Candide, "but a few sheep laden with provisions, pebbles, and the earth of this country."
"We want nothing from Your Majesty," Candide says. "We only ask for a few sheep carrying provisions, some pebbles, and some soil from this land."
The King laughed.
The King laughed.
"I cannot conceive," said he, "what pleasure you Europeans find in our yellow clay, but take as much as you like, and great good may it do you."
"I can't imagine," he said, "what pleasure you Europeans find in our yellow clay. Take as much as you want. May it do you a lot of good."
At once he gave directions that his engineers should construct a machine to hoist up these two extraordinary men out of the kingdom. Three thousand good mathematicians went to work; it was ready in fifteen days, and did not cost more than twenty million sterling in the specie of that country. They placed Candide and Cacambo on the machine. There were two great red sheep saddled and bridled to ride upon as soon as they were beyond the mountains, twenty pack-sheep laden with provisions, thirty with presents of the curiosities of the country, and fifty with gold, diamonds, and precious stones. The King embraced the two wanderers very tenderly.
He immediately ordered his engineers to build a machine to lift the two extraordinary men out of the kingdom. Three thousand skilled mathematicians began work. It was ready in fifteen days. It cost no more than twenty million sterling, in that country's coin. They put Candide and Cacambo on the machine. Two large red sheep were saddled and bridled for them to ride once they passed the mountains. Twenty pack-sheep carried provisions. Thirty carried gifts of the country's curiosities. Fifty carried gold, diamonds, and precious stones. The King embraced the two wanderers very tenderly.
Their departure, with the ingenious manner in which they and their sheep were hoisted over the mountains, was a splendid spectacle. The mathematicians took their leave after conveying them to a place of safety, and Candide had no other desire, no other aim, than to present his sheep to Miss Cunegonde.
Their departure was a splendid sight. They and their sheep were lifted over the mountains in a clever way. The mathematicians said goodbye after bringing them to safety. Candide had only one wish. He wanted to give his sheep to Miss Cunegonde.
"Now," said he, "we are able to pay the Governor of Buenos Ayres if Miss Cunegonde can be ransomed. Let us journey towards Cayenne. Let us embark, and we will afterwards see what kingdom we shall be able to purchase."
"Now," he said, "we can pay the Governor of Buenos Aires if Miss Cunegonde can be ransomed. Let us travel to Cayenne. Let us set sail. Afterwards, we will see which kingdom we can buy."