Chapter XXVII

Candide and Martin board a ship to Constantinople with the help of Cacambo, who has arranged passage with a Turkish skipper conducting Sultan Achmet.

Candide reflects that despite his modest losses and the misfortune of dethroned kings, he is reunited with Cunegonde, claiming this proves Pangloss was right that all is for the best.

Martin simply expresses a wish that Candide's optimism proves true, without endorsing his philosophy.

Candide remarks on how unusual it was to dine with six dethroned kings together at a public inn.

Martin counters that such occurrences are not extraordinary, as kings are frequently dethroned and this dinner is unworthy of attention.

Candide eagerly embraces his old friend Cacambo and asks anxiously about Cunegonde's status and whereabouts.

Cacambo reveals that Cunegonde is enslaved as a dishwasher in Turkey and has become ugly, shattering Candide's romantic expectations.

Candide insists he will love Cunegonde regardless of her ugliness, claiming it is his duty as a man of honor.

Candide expresses puzzlement at how Cunegonde's wealth of five or six million was dissipated.

Cacambo details how two million was paid to the Governor of Buenos Aires, and corsairs robbed the remainder, carrying them across the Mediterranean.

Candide exclaims in shock at the series of disasters but expresses confidence that his remaining diamonds can ransom Cunegonde, while regretting her lost beauty.

Candide asks Martin who deserves more pity among the dethroned sultans and kings or himself.

Martin claims he cannot judge comparative suffering without understanding the inner experience of each person.

Candide laments that Pangloss would know how to measure human suffering and rank misfortunes fairly.

Martin argues that millions of ordinary people suffer far more than these deposed monarchs, challenging Pangloss's comparative logic.

Candide acknowledges the validity of Martin's observation.

The party reaches the Bosphorus, and Candide pays a high ransom to free Cacambo, then sets out to find Cunegonde.

Candide notices two badly rowing slaves and, moved by pity, recognizes features resembling Pangloss and the Baron, though he believes both are dead.

Despite the resemblance, Candide reasons that the slaves cannot be Pangloss (whom he saw hanged) or the Baron (whom he killed).

Upon hearing the names of the Baron and Pangloss, the slaves cry out and are beaten by the captain for losing their oars.

Candide demands the captain stop beating the slaves and offers payment for their release.

The slaves identify themselves as the Baron and Pangloss, shocking Candide who thought them both dead.

Candide questions whether he is dreaming or awake, struggling to comprehend that the supposedly dead Baron and Pangloss are alive.

Martin dryly comments on whether this is 'the great philosopher,' suggesting skepticism about Pangloss's wisdom.

Candide appeals to the captain on the basis of the Baron's aristocratic status and Pangloss's reputation as a metaphysician, offering to pay ransom.

The captain, skeptical of the slaves' claims to high status, demands fifty thousand sequins and immediately directs the galley toward Constantinople.

Candide embraces the Baron and Pangloss repeatedly and asks how they survived their supposed deaths and came to be enslaved.

The Baron confirms that Candide has reunited with his old friend and asks whether his sister Cunegonde is truly in Turkey.

Cacambo briefly affirms that Cunegonde is present in the region.

Pangloss greets Candide warmly, overcome with emotion at their unexpected reunion.

Candide introduces Martin and Cacambo to the Baron and Pangloss, and the group embraces in joyful reunion.

The galley reaches port where Candide sells a diamond to a Jewish merchant at a loss and pays the ransom for the Baron and Pangloss.

The Baron questions whether his sister could truly be enslaved in Turkey.

Cacambo confirms the baron's sister is indeed in Turkey, currently serving as a dishwasher for a Transylvanian prince.

Candide sells more diamonds to Jews and sets out with the entire group in another galley to free Cunegonde from slavery.