The unfortunate politique, first written in French by C.N. Englished by G.P.

THE VNFORTVNATE POLITIQUE, OR THE LIFE OF HEROD

I Have caſt my eyes and thoughts on divers Hiſtories, but never could light on any that might better bring great ones really to apprehend how much they are deceived, who ſway a Court, or State by pure policie, and humane wiſdome, ſquaring religion to their own ends, and intereſts, then the life and death of this unfortunate King of Iury. Hee had a naturall judgement of a deep reach; an underſtanding, that could pierce unto, and fathome the moſt wonderfull and myſterious practices; & a courage mounted to the higheſt degree and pitch that can bee expreſſed: A mā that had ſprung out of nothing, yet built his fortunes as high as a Throne, and eſtabliſhed it amidſt ſo various, ſo knotty, and intricate affaires, that he made himſelfe to be admired even of the moſt underſtanding heads thē in the world. But ſince he built on that impious maxime, That hee ought to make Law and Religion his ſtalkinghorſe for to ſerve his own purpoſes, hee led a life as full of villany, as diſquiet, which ended with the moſt wofull death that imagination can reach unto to conceive. What made me yet to reſolve upon this Hiſtory (which I have taken out of Ioſephus, and ſome other ſmaller fragments, and Commentaries, ſpinning it out according to the copiouſneſſe of my ſtyle, & not ſtrictly tying my ſelfe to any exact tranſlation) was, that (beſide the Vnfortunate Politique) you read there Innocence perſecuted and wearied in the life of a Lady that was the very mirrour of Patience; and whom I propoſe here in the firſt rank, as one of the greateſt Ornaments of our holy Court. It is not here without reaſon, that I would cull the faireſt Roſes amidſt the ſharpeſt Thornes; ſhew her ſerenity, and calmneſſe in the greateſt tempeſt of a troubleſome ſtate; and ſeek a hony Comb even in the jawes of a Lion: ſince from Herods Court I goe to fetch out a chaſt, and patient Mariamne, the very Tablet of Innocence moſt deſpightfully entreated. The patience of this poore Queen deſerves to bee conſecrated with the pen of a Diamond to the Temple of Eternity; ſince it is able to ecclipſe the glory of the greateſt Heroes, to tranſcend the power of Rhetorick, and to raviſh the ſpirits, even of thoſe that uſe not to admire ought that is obvious and vulgar. God who rayſes the glory of his choſen on the foundation (as it were) of the greateſt miſeries, ſeeing the ſoule of this Princeſſe to be of a moſt hardy, and noble temper, thought fit to give her a ſpacious field for combat, that ſo ſhee might win the more glorious & triumphant Palmes of patience: And to this end he gave her wicked Herod to her husband, a Perſecutor, a barbarous, and infamous Executioner, but by ſo much the more ſutable to the patience of Mariamne, by how much the more like a Perſecutor, and a Headſman then a huſband, and a head. To know the ſtrength, and roughneſſe of this anvill, we muſt know the hammer that beat upon it: The better to ſpeak the ſingular goodneſſe of this Queen, wee muſt oppoſe unto it an anti-parallel, the malice of Herod; wee muſt obſerue how this diſloyall perſon, holding his Life, Scepter, & Crown from the houſe of Mariamne, in recompence thereof, took away from her both Scepter, Crown, and Life. After hee had ript out her bowels (as I may ſo ſpeak) putting to death her neereſt blood before her eyes, & at laſt he flings her too, all weltring in her blood, upon the pile (where her kindred, and brethren were made a holocauſt) to bee the laſt ſacrifice to his helliſh furie; yet could he never ſhake her invincible patience, and conſtancy. Each one ſpeaks of Herod, as a man compoſed of clay tempered with blood, as of a Tyrant that would murther mercy it ſelfe: But every man knoweth not the art, and ſubtlety, which hee uſed to get into poſſeſſion of his Mariamne, and Davids Scepter; oppreſſing the one with all Ingratitude, and ſwaying the other with extream Tyranny.

About fifty yeares before the Nativity of our Saviour, the kingdome of Iudah, that ſince David ſtood on its bottome neer a thouſand yeares (though in that period it oft had ſuffered ſtrange ecclipſes, & changes, being often rent, and ſore ſhaken, & by thoſe concuſſions often knit again, and took deeper root,) found its Tombe, and utter ruine in the fatall diſcord of two Brothers. Hyrcanus an honeſt man, but a bad King, did then beare rule: hee had neither ſtrength, reſolution, nor courage; as coward like in his charge, as innocent in his manners, & converſation. His over-facile demeanour made him degenerate into a kinde of ſtupidity, and though unable to do any harm, yet did he ſuffer himſelfe to bee an inſtrument of all the inſolencies that were committed, for that he was too ductile, & capable of the impreſſions of another: Being apprehenſive of this his weakneſſe, hee caſts the honour, and burden of the Realme (with all willingneſſe) on the ſhoulder of his brother Aristobulus, a man valiant, and hearty, but who had more imploiments then good ſucceſſe. During this declining and tottering ſtate of Royalty, Paleſtina was much eyed, and courted of her Neighbours, and aboue all, by Antipater (the father of this Herod) an Idumean by birth, in's manners an Arabian, a factious ſpirit, well monied, and by his ſtratagems able to overturne a great Empire; who had of a long time on foot a project upon the Realm of Iudea, he well foreſaw that it would be a hard taske for him to put in practiſe his wicked deſignes, as long as that bold Lion Ariſtobulus ſtood on the top, or pinacle; but if hee were once diſmounted, and Hircanus reſtored to the throne, then all ſhould be at his arbitrement and diſpoſall. What doth the Arabian, but goe about ſowing the ſeeds of rebellion in the hearts of the people againſt their Leige Lord Aristobulus? Telling them, they were diſloyall cowards, to permit their lawfull King Hircanus to be dethroned (in whoſe hand nature had put the Scepter,) and the Kingdome to be transferred on a mutinous, and a turbulent ſpirit, who ere long would make them the wracks & deſolation of all Paleſtine; that they had abandoned a King, whom they could not tax with ought, but exceſſe of goodneſſe, to admit of one, who having entred at the gate of treachery, could not reigne over them without the trouble, and combuſtion of his country, when good Hircanus would deveſt himſelfe of his right, they were to blame to cō deſcend to his modeſty, who was by ſo much the worthier to rule, by how much he deem'd himſelfe the more unworthy: The glory which hee did fly frō in undervaluing his own perſon, ſhould have purſued him to his grave. If they did object againſt him too much gentleneſſe, it was the more agreeable to the piety, and ſweet behaviour of the Iews. If the Doues were to chuſe them a King, they would ever make a choiſe of a Stalue, before a Sparrow-hawk. This ſubtile head, by ſuch like remonſtrances found many that gave eare unto him, partly amongſt thoſe that loved innovation, & partly too, among thoſe that were carried away with the pretended juſtice of the cauſe, & none would yet eſpie his drift, which under the colour of publique good, went about to erect a Monarchy for himſelfe, or his heires. Having now thruſt the iron ſo farre into the fire, hee ſtudied how to win the heart of Hyrcanus with all manner of obſequiouſneſſe, and teſtimonies of friendſhip, which was not difficult to purchaſe; this Prince permitting himſelfe to be overruled by thoſe that would make any ſemblance of good will towards him.

Behold him now (become as it were) Lord Protector, or Guardian of this flexible ſpirit, when under pretence of love he poſſeſſes in that manner, that all the actions of Hyrcanus paſt currant no longer by any other authority, then the directions and counſells of Antipater. Nevertheleſſe when he began to egge him forward for to make warre on his brother for the recovery of the royall Throne, hee found his heart ſo far benumbd that he had much adoe to warm it, and ſtrike a ſpark of courage into his ſoule, for the exceſſive coldneſſe and the unmanlineſſe of his Nature. But at length hee preacht one day effectually, and did edifie much, telling him, that this quitting of his kingdome, which he had tranſlated to his brother, was a thing that could not ſtand with his Honour, and ſafety of Life. What eye would not diſtill teares to ſee him in that contempt, & miſery, while his brother lived in riot, and pomp: This was to confound the Laws of nature; this was to authorize tyranny. Petty theeves are caſt into a Dungeon, or Stocks, and Ariſtobulus that had uſurpt a kingdome, rufled in ſilk, & ſparkled with Diamonds.

A Kingdome was a ſhirt which a man ſhould not ſhift off, but with his life: they were the tales and dreames of idle talking Philoſophy, that Crowns were lin'd with thorns, whereas they are Rubies & Diamonds, that never yet moleſted any mans head. The life which then Hyrcanus lead, would better become an Eſsean Monk, or a Capuchin, then a King: And to conclude, that all the people deſired with paſſion to ſee him reenſtated in his fathers Throne. Hee poſſeſt his eares with ſo powerfull Rhetorique, that hee began now to gaine upon him But there were many reaſons, which held him in ſuſpenſe. The one was his oath, by which hee had renounced his Royalty; the other want of ſufficient ſtrength for the enterpriſe. For the oath, Antipater ſoon reſolved him of that, telling him, he ſwore a hainous crime, and there was nothing could obliege him to the performance; and for ſtrength, he acquainted him with the auxiliary forces of luſty Arabians, which he could levy at his command. While hee yet ſtaggerd at this unſteedy footing, he went on to breath into his heart black miſtruſts, and jealouſies touching his brother, as though (after he had preyed upon his eſtate) he had an enterprize upon his life; ſurmiſing conſpiracies to be plotted againſt him: and this hee did with ſuch art, & ſleight, that Hyrcanus yeelded to him, and gave him full commiſſion of war, or peace, to doe according as it liked him beſt. This concluded, the Apple of diſcord was flung into the midſt: Antipater fail'd not to implore the ayd of Aretas King of the Arabs, who comes up with a mighty army, which like an inundation overruns all Paleſtine, committing overruns all Paleſtine, committing all outrage, and hoſtility, ſacking & depopulating (without mercy) all the way he went, inſomuch, that hee drove Ariſtobulus to a very narrow ſtrait, beſeiging him within Ieruſalem the Metropolis, and Royall City.

But as the greater Serpent devours the leſſer; ſo hapneth it hereupon, that the Romans under the conduct of Pompey the Great, now diſplaying their dreadfull Eagles on the plaines of Syria, leading an army of fire, before which all other Roytlets or minor Princes were but as chaffe, make this Arabian glad to retire within his own territories, they march on victoriouſly without controle, and interpoſe themſelves to preſcribe laws, to pronounce peace, or war, how, and to whom ſoever they pleaſed. The two brothers made all Courtſhip to the Roman, to purchaſe his favour, and amity; each one ſtriving eagerly to win him of his ſide, well perceiving that the obtaining of this would ſpeedily put a period to the controverſie. Ariſtobulus (as the more generous hold, and King-like) at the firſt acceſſefound the more favour, in regard that among other largeſſes, he preſented him with a vine al of maſſie gold, one of the rareſt, and moſt exact workmanſhip in the world, which afterward, for a long time ſerved for an ornament in the Capitoll. At length behold both brothers proſtrate at Pompey's feet, conteſting both, & pleading not for a Hamlet, or Vineyard, but a Kingdome; nothing ſuſpecting that while they ſtaked their fortunes in the hands of a ſtranger, (who knew no other law but his ambition) inſteed of Umpire he would play the Vulture, & claſp them in his tallons. Antipater ſeeing at firſt the ballance to perpend to Ariſtobulus his ſide, as one that the Romans had reaſon to hope would be more ſerviceable, & advantagious to their deſignes, never ceaſed to decry him, to caſt black aſpertions on his reputation, and to work the Romans to a miſtruſt of his inclination towards them, ſtill fawning, and couching like a Spaniell before Pompey: inſomuch that Aristobulus foreſeeing that this pernicious ſpirit, abuſing the name, & weakneſſe of his brother, would ſel both to the Roman, ſets himſelfe on his gard; where he had but too much reſolution, and too little ſtrength to cope with the Army of ſo potent an Empire. This poore Prince being overmatched, and ſinking under the weight of ſuch an encounter, was taken captive, bound in chaines with his two ſoones and ſo many daughters, and led away to Rome to furniſh a triumph for Pompey: Ieruſalem is made tributary, the Pontificate confer'd upon Hyrcanus, but all the authority committed to the hands of Antipater. This was a ſpectacle that drew teares evē from thoſe, who before times could not affect Aristobulus, to ſee this unfortunate King in bolts, laden with iron, together with his Princely ſonnes, and the poor Ladies his daughters, all the heires of their fathers misfortunes who were, leaving their native country, where they reigned in ſuch Honour, for to ſeek through ſo uncouth and tedious voyages by ſea & • and, their thraldome or death, which is the more ordinary wiſh of unhappy wights.

Antipater reapes the bayes of this victory, and begins (though as yet ſtaind with blood) to eſtabliſh his litle Monarchy which he had been ſo long a cōtriving. Hyrcanus ſeem'd like an old ſepulcher which retain'd nothing but the name, or inſcription. All things were effected by him in appearance, though not any thing indeed: The other entertain'd the Romans out of his Exchequer, beſtowed preſents, ſent, and received Embaſſadours, practiſed confederacies, corrupted the forces of his adverſaries and rid his way of all the rubs, and impediments that might oppoſe his advancement, & greatneſſe; and made it beleeved that this mild Pontiffie was prime mover and author of all. Then ſeeing himſelfe each day to grow ſtronger in repute and authority, the better to aſſure the Realme for his ſonnes after his deceaſe, hee made the elder (namely Phaſelus) governour of Ieruſalem, and on Herod his younger ſon he confer'd the Prefectureſhip of Galile. In ſhort time after, whē he had ſuckt up all the winde with his flatulent ambition had engendred, and being now at his non ultra, not knowing which way to bend his machinations, he ſuckt up a glaſſe of poyſon that was miniſted unto him at a feaſt by the device of Malicus his enemie. Behold here the iſſue of humane practices! Thoſe who are drunk with ambition, and are mad for Honours which they ſeeke to arrive at by miſchievous plots, and all the travell of body and minde, are like thoſe litle bubbles which ariſe on the ſurface of the water in a tempeſt, they ſwell, and burſt in a moment. Antipater being dead, his two ſonnes, Phaſelus and Herod ſhare equally in the ſucceſſion, each of them maintaines his own ſtation firmly, & ſtudies to temper the matter ſo as to get Hyrcanus ſtill to act the ſame part to repreſent a King. Herod was no ſooner entred upō his charge, even while his father was yet living (being not full fifteen yeares of age) ſhewed early what in time hee would prove by ſome excurſions of his inbred diſpoſition, which ſometimes hee made to ſallie out, like thoſe litle ſtreaks, and ſparks of heat in the ayre, that burſt out of a cloud, and then after flaſh in lightning. He was of a fraudulent, and malignant ſpirit, ambitious even to a degree of madnes, whoſe fingers did alwaies itch to bee imbrued in blood, and ſlaughter; and indeed he ſtained his tender years and the prologue of his reigne with effuſion of humane blood, putting to the ſword Ezekias, who indeed lived in the eſteem of a Rover & common robber, but he cut in peeces many other Iews with him without diſcerning the guiltleſſe, fed the guilty, which cauſed that many innocent ſoules were involv'd in this common ruine. The mothers of theſe people who were maſſacred by Herod, ſtirr'd not out of the Temple, lamenting, and with their heire diſheveld, demanding juſtice from Hyrcanus, who was but an Idoll, or Statue of Majeſtie. Notwithſtanding being importun'd with the cryes of theſe diſtreſſed women, & ſet on by ſome of his Nobility, he cauſed Herod to be ſummond for to appeare in judgement. In this action it was well that this young Prince ſhewed ſome reſolution, and gave ſome aſſurance of courage. Others that were accuſed came to this Parliament of Iudea, all ſad & dejected, but he arrived thither as to a feaſt or Theatre, attended with a flouriſhing convoy clad in Skarlet, all perfum'd and his haire frizel'd, & moreover with Letters of recommendation from the Romans, which were writ in the ſtile of authority, and military language, commanding the Iudges to acquit him without any further proceſſe. Hee was ſcarce fifteen yeares of age, and yet with his very preſence daſht the Iudges, and Advocates ſo out of countenance that of all thoſe that had provided long haranges againſt him, there was not one that durſt open his mouth while he was there. One of the Iudges whoſe name was Sameas, a right honeſt man, and of more courage then all the reſt, ſpake aloud to King Hyrcanns, who was there preſent: Idoe not wonder that this young Lord appeares before this Tribunal in ſuch equipage every man would ſecure him ſelfe as well as he may; but I doe wonder Sir, that you and your Counſell ſhould omit this demeanour, as if he came hither not to be judg'd, but to cut the Iudges throats. You will now pardon him in favour, but he will one day aſſacinate you in juſtice. And indeed of this whole Senate there ſcap'd not one that Herod did not put to death, when he had got the full power of the kingdome, except him onely that had delivered his opinion of him with this bold ſimplicity. It is recorded of this Sameas, how that ſome yeares after a queſtion being made of receiving Herod to bee their King; when others did ſtiffely oppoſe it, he ſpake freely that hee gave his ſuffrage to Herod, & as they were wondring at the ſpeech, marvell not at the matter (quoth he) God would give you a King in his anger, and hee could not finde one naughtier then Herod: He is the ſcourge which you doe want to chaſtiſe your infidelity. Hyrcanus then ſeeing the Iudges ſomewhat animated by the ſpeech of Sameas and to be more inclined to the ſide of luſtice then Mercy, made him ſecretly to ſlink away, for hee loved him intirely, and ſo hatcht the egge of a Cockatrice within his own boſome. Herod who came not any way behind his Father in pollicie, following his examples and practices adhered firmly unto the Romans, winning them by all manner of obſervances, and entertaining Hyrcanus with all pleaſance, and flattery. The kingdome of Iudea ſeemd as yet to bee farre enough from his reach, Phaſelus as the elder held the better part of it: Ariſtobulus whom you have ſeen led away in chaines to Rome, had yet two ſonnes, whereof the elder call'd Alexander was father to chaſt Mariamne, whoſe patience we doe here blazon; the other was Antigonus, who ſpunne Herod a ſpindle full of matter to untwiſt. But hee was ſoone rid of both; for unfortunate Alexander ſucceſſour of his father Aristobulus his diſaſters, being come to the field with certaine forces, which he had pickt up as well as his weak fortunes enabled him, was oppreſt by the Romans, who came to the aſſiſtance of Herod. Antigonus being got looſe from captivity, wherein he was detained at Rome, together with his father Ariſtobulus, cut out much employment too for Herod. For caſting himſelf into the armes of the Parthians, hee made them ſo many promiſes, and ſwel'd them with ſuch hopes that they undertook to inveſt him with the kingdome: and forthwith they made preparations by Sea & Land, and prevailed ſo far both by force, and cunning, that they chaſed out Hyrcanus, & Phaſelus: Herod very narrowly eſcapt his life, and though he had a courage of ſteele, yet was hee ſo amaz'd with this ſurpriſe, that hee went very neer to make himſelf away. Hyrcanus was very courſly handled by the command of his Nephew Antigonus, he had his eares cropt off, and ſo was made forever uncapable of the Pontificate. Phaſelus, Herods brother, being ſo enraged with this unexpected chance of fortune, daſht his brains againſt a ſtone.

Herod, who had alwaies ſtuck as cloſe to the Romans, as the lvy to the wall, ſeeing his affaires in ſuch a plunge & extream hazard, implores their aid, and complains in moſt pathetick expreſſions of the violence of Antigonus, the incurſions, and hoſtility of the Parthians, puts them in minde of the good ſervices of his father Antipater, and promiſes on his part the Ocean, and all the ſcaly Legions. Which letters found ſo good ſucceſſe, that he (beyond all hopes and expectation) was proclaimed King of Iudea, and Antigonus an enemy to the Roman eſtate becauſe a fugitive, and allyed to the Parthians. Herod purſues him with hue & cry, being aſſiſted with the forces of the Roman Empire. Antigonus ſtill unfortunate in all adventures, after a fierce encounter, and long reſiſtance was taken priſoner, and was the firſt of any king that by the command of M. Anthony was executed in a manner ſo unbefitting his quality, and to the Romans unuſuall, leaving his head upon a ſcaffold in the City of Antioch, for no other reaſon then ſeeking to recover his fathers inheritance: But Strabo ſaith that M. Anthony knew no other way to make Herod to bee agniz'd for King; both for that there were yet living ſome of the blood Royall, that were capable of the Scepter; and for that the people loved their naturall King, but hated the ſtranger.

This Tragoedy ended, Herod mounted on the top of fortunes wheele. Lo • all the thornes in his way (as he thinks) now grub'd up. There now remained of the Illuſtrious race of the H • ſmoneans, but an aged & weather-beaten Prince, one infant Boy, and two Girles to bee defeated. Hyrcanus was that aged Prince, who intruth drew an unwilling breath, whoſe head many turmoiles, and viciſſitudes of fortune haſtned his hoary haire, he was then held captive in the Parthians hands; but the King, though a Barbarian, had cō paſſion on a milde, debonaire nature in ſo deplor'd a caſe, ſo that hee permitted him to live within the walls of Babylon, with all the liberty as might be deſired. This poor Prince who lived all his life time without any ambition did beare this change of fortune with an equall temper, and tenor of minde. The Iews who lived in that Kings dominions ſeeing him ſo maim'd, and in a manner excoriated with ſtripes, poore & forlorn, yet gave him the reſpect of a King and expreſſed ſuch honour, and reverence towards him, that hee found a kingdome (in a manner even in his captivity.) Herod who ſaw that this man might ſtand him yet in ſome ſteed againſt thoſe that could diſquiet and annoy his anxious and unſetled eſtate diſpatcheth an Embaſſadour ſtrait to the King of the Parthians, with many faire preſents, and Letters fraught with ſugred words, and ſoothing complements; wherein hee doth beſeech him not to bereave him of that onely and beſt contentment that he had in the world but to ad this curteſie unto his former favours wherewith hee had obliged him: Hyrcanus, ſaith hee, was his good Benefactor, his Protector, & Father, and ſince God had now given ſome repoſe unto his affairs, it would be a ſingular comfort unto him to communicate the Scepter, the cares and pleaſures of a King with one ſo truſty & ſo worthy to be beloved. The Parthian King willing to gratifie Herod whom he ſaw to be ſupported by the Roman Empire (which he did more feare for its puiſſance, then honour for its valour) granted full leave to Hyrcanus to goe whither he would. He (good man) conſulted with the principall men of his nation, who did altogether diſſwade him from it, but the eaſines of his good nature (which did alwaies ſwallow the bait without heeding the hooke) yeelded to thoſe ſuppoſed curteſies of Herod, and ſo returned ſtraight to Ieruſalem, where hee was received with all demonſtrations of joy, & amity. Behold no wall the Royall family in the hands of this barbarous uſurper. Hyrcanus had but one daughter, who took not after her father kinde, for ſhee was extream haughty, and in this ſervitude did fret, and champ upon the bit, with much diſcontent, ſhe was the mother of two children, a Boy and a Girle, his name was Ariſtobulus, and hers Mariamne, who was after married to Herod. Mariamne was eſteemed the moſt beautifull Princeſſe in the world. For Gellius who went about to ſurvey the rareſt features in the world, for to return a Liſt of them to M. Anthony, having well ſcan'd the moſt excellent pieces of Nature, when he ſaw Mariamne, he proteſted that all other beauties were courſe, & caſt in a mould of earth, in compariſon of this which ſeemed to him to have dropt from the ſpheres, & to have been drawn by ſome divine, and immortall Limmer. This man ſaw but the bark, and casket, and yet was raviſhed with admiration; but her comelineſſe of body was nothing in compariſon of the noble qualities of her ſoule. This was a tender Imp of the ſtock of the famous Machabees, well verſt in Gods laws, diſcreet, modeſt, & reſpectfull, that as Suſanna, but aboue all couragious and patient; living in the Court of Herad as Iob upon the dunghill. Never was beauty, & goodneſſe ſo diſcountenanc'd, & unhappy in the fortunes of one perſon. This creature that might have been courted by ſo many Princes, that might have had ſuch attendance ever ready at her feet, had now Herod for her Lord, who had nothing of a man but skin, & ſhape; and it was even all one to couple the Lamb with the Lion, the Dove with the Hawk, and tye the living to the dead, joyning thē mouth to mouth, as to wed ſuch a Lady to ſuch a Monſter. But hee that had now the power in his own hand, ſues for her very paſſionatly, both for her unparallel'd beauty, and moreover the better to ſtrengthen his eſtate, conſidering that the alliance of this young Lady, who deſcended from ſo great kindred, would adde honour to him, and his houſe, who was but lately ſprung up, and might make him to place more confidence in the lews, and make them more loving, and loyall to him.

Hyrcanus the Grandfather of Mariamne, and Alexandra her mother, ſeeing that Herod had now got his head aboue the waters, and was become maſter of his affaires, having now got the Scepter into his own hands, although by tyranny, and intruſion; yet they meaſuring all by his place, & fortunes, not by his perſon and conditions, judg'd that this marriage might be yet for their advantage, and that his wife might ſupple his harſh nature, and make him more favourable to the Royall houſe. This noble maid fore-ſaw well that to put her into the hands of Herod, was to caſt her into the Lions jawes: But not to contradict thoſe to whom ſhee owed her being, and to obey the lawes of neceſſity, ſhee ſubmitted her neck to the yoke, fortifying her royall heart againſt all the ſtormes that ſeemed to threaten & come thronging upon her. Behold her now married! Herod loues her, as the Huntſman doth his Veniſon for his own ends, and benefit: not looſing by love one graine of his former ambition, or cruelty. This perverſe thing held a kingdome like a woolfe by the eares, ſtill fickle, and ſhaking, and when his affaires ſeemed to be well ſetled, hee ſtudied nothing but how to rid himſelfe of thoſe, whom hee had ſtript naked of their fortunes, and ſtrength. His Queen could finde no reſpect, nor could ſhe any whit mollifie, and reclaim his ſavage conditions; hee ſhewed how litle affection he bare to her ſoly, when he wrought for his own pretended intereſts, at that time when it was debated whom to Surrogate to be grand Pontifie in liew of H ••• nus who (by his late deformation) being irregular in the law, was excluded from the Altar. Herod ſaw every day before his eyes in his own Court young Ariſtobulus, the only brother of his wife a Prince every way accompliſht, and generally deſigned for the Tiare, yet he caſts his eyes abroad and goes to ſeek beyond Euphrates in the City of Babylon a forraigne Iew named Ananell, & created him chiefe Prieſt. This was a pill which Alexandra the mother of Ariſtobulus, and Mariamne could not eaſily ſwallow. It was in vain to candy o're the buſineſſe: Shee ſaw manifeſtly the rejection of her houſe, in that her ſon (notwithſtanding ſo many obligations) was in a manner diſpoſſeſt of an honour, which blood & nature, and the generall vote of the world did call him unto, and to be beſtowed on a man of no worth, no repute. Shee could not well repreſſe her anger from breaking out, and that in a higher ſtraine then the miſeries of the times, and malice of Herod would ſuffer unqueſtioned. Mariamne all this while injoying the tranquility of her noble minde, goes upon a day unto the King, and with her naturall gracefulneſſe, and ſweet carriage tells him, that the prop, & ſtay of her houſe was ſore fhaken, and greatly weakned, & at the preſent in ſuch a plight that ſhe had no joy to hold a Scepter any longer: She deſired only ſhee might quit the world with honour: Had he then beſtowed the Miter on her brother, he had advanced a creature, whom he could not ſtand in feare of, his Scepter being thereby the more ſecured, and of whom hee could not (in all reaſon) but hope the beſt, who was but young, and tender as wax (being in his own hand) ſhe could temper, and ſtamp what impreſſions he pleaſed. This act would haue made him reigne in hearts as well as Provinces, when men ſhould ſee him the father, and protectour of the young ſon of Hyrcanus, whoſe vertues he had alwaies hououred. Laſtly, that the honor which did redound to her by his alliance could not ſeem to her conſummate, ſo long as ſhe ſaw her own blood debar'd from thoſe honours, and promotions which he could place them in, without any prejudice to his own eſtate.

Herod ſuffred himſelfe to bee wonne for that time by the charming language of Marinmne, and when he had well pondred the buſineſſe, after mature deliberation, he reſolved to confer the Pontificate on young Ariſtobulus his brother in law, which was performed with great ſolemnity. He aſſembles his friends in the Pallace hall; then calling for Alexandra, hee made a ſet ſpeech againſt her in the preſence of them all, much cō plaining of her behaviour, and telling them that ſhe ſtudied nothing but how to thwart, and diſquiet his affaires, and to take from him a Scepter which Heaven made him to purchaſe with much travell, & ſweat, for to put it into the hands of an Infant to the prejudice of the Queen her daughter: nevertheleſſe he could forget injuries, but could not forget his nature, which was to doe well to thoſe that ſought to doe him harme. Inteſtimony and confirmation hereof, hee conferres the Pontificate on her ſon, his purpoſe being never any other, and the Surrogation of Ananel made with no other intention then to continue for a time, while hee did expect the child ſhould grow to riper yeares. This poore mother ambitious according to and beyond the nature of her ſex (upon this tender of the Pontificate) was ſo tranſported with joy, that her heart melted at her eyes, and thereupon avowed freely to Herod, that ſhe attempted all the means poſſible to retain the Tiare in the royall houſe, judging it a matter very unbefitting to transfer it another way: but as for the Kingdome that ſhe never pretended any right to it, & that ſuch deſignes were farre from her thoughts: when it would pleaſe God to ſequeſter her from the world ſhe would dye with a contented heart, leaving her ſon great Pontifie, and her daughter Queen. Moreover if ſhe had laſht it out beyond the bounds of duty and decency in uncivill ſpeeches, that ſhe was excuſable, as being a mother very tenderly affected towards a ſon that deſerv'd to bee belov'd, the mother in law of a King to whom ſuch a neer affinity would permit ſome more liberty of ſpeech, and the daughter of a King to whom ſervitude was ſuch a tough morſell, that her ſtomacke could not well digeſt: and ſince he did deal fo friendly with her, that he ſhould have no occaſion hence forth to complain of her contumacy, and diſobedience. Hereupon they joyne hands, and behold them now very good friends. But alas how like are the friendſhips of this world to the felicity of it: Worldly friendſhip is fickle & deceitfull, & worldly felicity hangs on a rotten Cable, and hath its foundation on the Quick-fands. This poore mother rejoyced for a little tickling of her ambition, but could not perceive that her ſonne was not a Prieſt indeed, but a ſacrifice to the cruelty of Herod. Wiſe Mariamne, who by long experience had learn't to hold proſperity ſtil in ſuſpicion, would not permit her heart to be ſo dilated, nor give the reynes to her joyes, but that ſhee arm'd her ſelfe each day againſt the revolt of fottune. The feaſt of Tabernacles which is ſo ſolemnly celebrated among the Iews, being come, Ananel after he had ſerved a while for a Cipher is ſhamefully diſcarded. Ariſtobulus begins to exerciſe his function: He was then but ſeventeen yeares of age, but of a very tall ſtature, well proportion'd, and ſtreight as a Palm-tree, glorious as a Star, and very much reſembling his father: When the people ſaw him accoutred in his Pontificalibus, which were full of Majeſty, marching up to the Altar, and performing his office with ſuch gravity and decency, hee ſeem'd to them like a new Sunne that iſſued out of the Clouds, and came to guild the world, which was before enwrapt in gloomy darkneſſe. The hearts of al the Hebrews which had groaned under the preſſures of civill warres, did now ſpread like Roſes by the favourable aſpect of this young Pontifie. His naturall comelineſſe enchafed (as it were) within his Majeſtich Robes did caſt an incredible luſter, and ſtatelineſſe, which did dazle the eyes of the ſpectators. Some beheld him with a wiſt, and earneſt look, remaining like ſtatues, but yet their teares prov'd that their eyes were not of marble. Others did betray their affections by many dumb emblems, and inarticulate expreſſions. Others gave vent to their joyes, and their mouthes delivered what their hearts conceiv'd; not being able to forbeare acclamations, though ſomewhat too free in reſpect of the times; yet pardonable in their ſimple affection. They call'd to minde the proweſſe of thoſe ancient Macchabees, who had redeem'd them from Idolatry; they knew how that poore Hyrcanus was but a Ghoſt, or ſhadow ſurviving his own funerall. They had freſh in memory the Grandfather of this young Pontifie, the great Ariſtobulus, who was led away manacled, and faſt bound in cords like a Gallie-ſlave to Rome. They were not ignorant how that Alexander his father, and his uncle Antigonus had loſt their lives in oppoſing the uſurpation of a ſtranger. This young Prince alone remain'd, that had eſcapt ſo many wracks, and they ſaw that in his youth did live and ſpring forth the hopes of their country, and (as it is eaſie to believe what we love) they perſwaded themſelves, that Herod who at the beginning demanded the Realme in the name of this young Prince Ariſtobulus, was now to relinquiſh the booty, yeelding to equity, and right. And for this effect, they did expreſſe their applauſe with the more freedome. But the ignorant multitude were far out in their accompts.

Herod having well obſerv'd the poſture of this peoples countenance, ſaw that to talke out-right according to maxims of ſtate, or to make a grave morall ſpeech, would have ſavoured ſomewhat of a Clark, (and this was not his method or ordinary ſtile) but enters into a furious jealouſie, & cauſeth the Pontifie, and his mother, and his own wife to be ſo narrowly watcht, and their actions pried into, that they could not wag a finger but he was advertis'd thereof. The prudent Mariamne, among theſe ſuſpicions, ſtill living in good reſpect, appeaſing diſcontents on either party, as much as her employments would permit her: But her mother Alexandra being prickt to the heart to ſee her ſelfe among ſo many ſpies, and evesdroppers, who ever uſed, and ſtill would faine converſe with Royall freedome, reſolv'd to play hazard, either to quit loſſes, or to double them, and to break the bonds of her ſpecious ſervitude, or to offer her neck to Herods fauchion. So high a point did her miſeries carry her to! In this extremity, what doth ſhee? Cleopatra that Queene, whoſe name had travel'd the world over, and fill'd it with the noiſe, was at that time in Aegypt; and ſhe hated Herod naturally, both for his barbarous cō ditions, and for ſome reſpects of her own: for ſhee underſtood by good intelligence that he had entermedled in her affaires, and had counſell'd M. Anthony to forſake her, yea, and to take away her life too. This Tyrant was ſo accuſtom'd to the word Kill, that hee preſcribes eaſily to others thoſe remedies which himſelfe us'd for his own maladies. 'Tis a ſtrange memorable thing that Cleopatra being to paſſe one day through Iudea, he took a reſolution to ſend her to another world, thinking to gratifie Mark. Anthony by this meanes: but his friends diſſwaded him from it, telling him it was an enterpriſe too raſh, and difficult, & able to ruine his fortunes eternally. But yet the project was never diſcovered. Cleopatra had but too much reaſon to hate Herod: which did embolden diſtreſſed Alexandra to write unto her in theſe tearmes.

ALEXANDRA to Queen CLEOPATRA Sends Greeting. MADAM

SInce God hath made you to be borne with that advantage aboue all other Queenes for eminent qualities, it ſtands with good reaſon, that your greatneſſe ſhould ſerve as a refuge, and Sanctuary to the innocent, and an Altar to miſerable perſons. Poore Alexandra that hath much innocence without ſupport, and too much miſery without all ſuccour, or cō ſolation, caſts her ſelfe into the armes of your Majeſtie, & is now become your ſuppliant not for the recovery of a Scepter, but for the ſecurity of her life, and the life of her ſon, which is the moſt pretious gage, and pledge of heavens bounty, that was now left her. Your Majeſtie is not ignorant how that fortune made mee the daughter and mother of a King, but Herod hath reduc'd me to the ranke, and condition of Maid-ſervants. I am not ambitious of my ſuffering which I had rather diſſemble, then with oſtentation repeat, but all that a ſlave can endure in a Galley, doe I undergoe in a Kingdome, by the in humanity of a ſon in law, who having ſnatcht the Diadem into his hands, would faine deprive me alſo of life. Wee are all the day among ſpies, knives and the apprehenſions of death, which would doe us leſſer harme if it were more ſuddain. Reach out your aſſiſting hand to the afflicted and grant us ſome ſmall obſcure nook within your Realme, while we expect this tēpeſt to be blown over; while we wait the dawning of ſome hope, and ſome light of comfort to ſhine againe on our affaires: The glory will remaine yours, ours the eternall commemoration of your piety.

Cleopatra having received theſe Letters, made anſwer without delay, and invited her to come down to Aegypt with all ſpeed convenient, and her ſon with her, telling her that ſhe held it an honour for her to bee able to ſerve for an harbour to the afflictions of ſuch a Princeſſe. Departure is fully reſolved of, but the meanes to contrive it was a piece of difficultie. Poore Io knew no way to ſteale her ſelfe away from this Argus, who had ſo many eyes upon her: at laſt (as the wits of women are nimble for inventions, eſpecially in caſes that neerely concern them) ſhee without imparting her intention to any body, no not to her daughter Mariamne, fearing leſt her too ſoft, and tender nature would adviſe her to continue ſtill within the bounds of patience, rather then to undergoe ſo dangerous, and weariſome a voyage: ſhee (I ſay) conſorting the buſineſſe onely to her own fancy, caus'd two Coffins (by an unlucky omen) to be provided for to put her ſelfe and her ſon in; (thinking by this meanes to delude the diligence of the Guard, where in they were to bee conveyed to the ſea-ſide, where lay a Shippe ready to waft them, and ſo to ſave her life through the dominions of death. But by misfortune one of her ſervants named Eſop one of thoſe that ſhould have carried the Coffin, going to viſit one Sabbion, a man well affected to the houſe of Alexandra, hapned to let fly ſome ſpeeches touching this adventure of his Miſtris, as thinking hee had talkt to one that was privie to all her ſecrets. Perfidious Sabbion had no ſooner pumpt out the whole ſtory from this groom, but he repaires ſtraight to Herod, to diſcloſe all that hee had heard, judging this to bee a very expedient courſe for to purchaſe a reconciliation: for hee was a long time ſuſpected to bee of the faction of Alexandra. Herod, when he received this intelligence, multiplies the number of his ſpies and ſentinells. The poore Lady is apprehended, and taken out of the Coffin (as out of the Sepulchre of the dead, & condemned to live a longer captivity) all abaſht, & chafing for that the Comoedy ſorted not to a wiſht effect, thinking that (ſince ſhee miſt her ayme) ſhee ſhould not deſire to live any longer. Yet notwithſtanding Hered (whether it was that he feared the great name of Cleopatra, or that he would not ſtartle Alexandra, that hee might oppreſſe her by ſome more facile way,) did nothing to her for the preſent: He kept cloſe within himſelfe, diſſembling over the matter without ſpeaking one word thereof, though hee ſaw the clouds to gather thick, and ready to burſt into thunder and tempeſt.

This royall Divell that had rid ſo many ſoules out of the world by Martiall Law, and force of Armes would now ſend away one in ſport. Vpon a day in ſommer, as hee dined with unhappy Alexandra, fayning all that had paſt to be buried in deep oblivion, tells her that in favour of youth, hee would play the young man, and invites Ariſtobulus his brother in law to play at Racket, or ſome ſuch exerciſe. The match is made, the emulation growes hot, the young Prince being earneſt at his game had not plaid long before he was all in a ſweat, as many other Lords, and Gentlemen were. Behold they runne all to the waters, which did glide along neere the place of recreation. Hered (who well knew the cuſtome of Aristobulus, and preſuppoſed that hee would not fayle to goe and fling himſelfe into theſe cold bathes,) doth villanouſly complot with ſome youngſters, who (under colour of ſporting) ſhould make him drinke more water then ſhould ſerve to quench his thirſt. All things ſucceed according as hee had forecaſt. Aristobulus ſeeing others in the water, ſtrips himſelfe of his cloathes, and beares 'them company, hee had no other intent but to ſwim, play, and skirmiſh on this element, alwaies dangerous, though not ſo treacherous as Herod. The poore ſacrifice frisks, & leaps, nothing aware of the miſfortune that attended him: But the execrable murtherers knew it wel, foreſpying their opportunity at this fatal ſport, they ſtifle the poor Pontifie under the mercileſſe waters, being the 18 yeare of his age, and the firſt of his Pontificate. This faire ſun which aroſe with ſuch ſplendor and applauſe, ſets under the waters never to riſe again but with the palenes of death in's viſage. O humane hopes, where, or what be yee? Meere dreames of waking men, aëry phantaſmes of flitting fire, that ſhine only to be extinguiſhed, and in extinguiſhing bereave us of light, leaving us a bad ſtench, and the ſorrow of your loſſe! This Prince in whom was built a new all the hopes, and glory of the roy, all houſe of the Haſmoneans; This Prince that ſhould have reunited the Miter, and the Diadem, and revived the honour of a race quite extinct, behold him now by accurſed treaſon ſtifl'd under water, in ſuch an age, and of ſo comely a perſonage, that they made this accident by ſo much the more full of pitty, by how much it was more deſperate of all remedy. At this newes all the City of Ieruſalem was in ſuch amazement, as if Nebuchadnezar being returned from the other world ſtood again before her gates. Every where there was nothing but teares and lamentations, but horrour and aſtoniſhment, out-cries, and the image of death. You would have ſaid that each houſe carried forth to buriall their firſt borne, as had been ſeen long before to fall out in Egypt. But above all others Alexandra the pitious mother afflicted her ſelſe with ſorrow that would admit of no conſolation: Sometime ſhee bemoan'd, lying proſtrate on the dead corps of her ſon, ſeeking within his eyes (thoſe two ecclipſed luminaries) and on his cold lips for ſome remnant of life: Sometimes ſhe roles her eyes like ſome franticke Prieſteſſe of Sacchus, crying for fire & ſword, halters and precipices, that ſhee might put a period to her life and miſeries! Heavie Mariamne, (though the patientſt of all) yet had much adoe to withſtand the violent aſſault of incomparable griefe: ſhee lov'd this brother entirely, as the portrait of her ſelfe, as the diſpoſitary of her heart, as the hope of her houſe too miſerably rent, and all wounded with griefe (as ſhe was;) yet (good Lady) ſhe thought of the ſorrows of her mother, and lies behind the dead body of her brother, as if ſhe had been the very ſhadow thereof. Then turning to God with an affectionate heart ſhe ſends up this • jaculation.

O my God behold mee now in an eſtate wherein I have nothing more to feare but thy juſtice, and nothing more to hope for then thy mercies. Hee for whom I fear'd, and in whom I hop't all that might be fear'd or hopt for in all the events, and affaires of this world is raviſht from me by ſome ſecret decree of thy providence, which I have taught my hart to adore, though the weakneſſe of my apprehenſion cannot trace the footſteps of it. If among ſo many calamities, I did yet ſuck any ſweetnes from the world in preſence of this object, which thou haſt bereaved mee of, loe I am now robd of all; hence for ward, I ſhal finde nothing but worm wood, that ſo renouncing all earthly comforts, I may learne to relliſh thoſe which are proper to thy children reſerv'd in Heaven. Behold how pious and gentle ſouls can extract hony out of the rock and turn all to merit even the diſtillation of a teare that trickles down the cheekes. The impatient, as Alexandra, wound themſelves without all conſolation, torture themſelves without remedy, and ſometimes ſplit againſt the rock of diſpaire without remiſſion.

What ſhall wee ſay that Herod too in this ſad conſort of grief did beare his part? He made (indeed) an outward ſhew, and by cloſe hypocriſie, did well perſonate a reall mourner. He curſt the ſport, rail'd againſt fortune: He charg'd Heaven with ſiniſter envy in bereaving him of an object, on whom he deſired to expreſſe all the cordiall love, and reſpect that he bore to the royall houſe, to the which he did (in part) owe his advancement.

He went to viſit the Queen, and her Mother very ceremoniouſly, and when he beheld them bemoaning about the dead body, the briniſh teares guſht out of his eyes: whether it was that he had taught them to drop at command, to carry this diſſembling the more artificially, or whether indeed he had ſome compaſſion, or pang of grief beholding on the one ſide this tender flowre, ſo early cut down with deaths impartiall ſickle, together with ſo many celeſtiall graces, which found their period and horizon, at the point of their upriſing and nativity; and on the other ſide conſidering the poore Queene drown'd in a ſea of ſorrow, which to behold might force teares from rocks. This perfidious wretch that had ſomething yet of a man, and I believe that nature for that time did extort thoſe teares from his barbarous cruelty: hitherto he feigned himſelfe to have ſuppreſt his griefe manfully; then turning to the Ladies, tells them that hee was not come then to dry up the flouds of their teares ſo ſoone, which had but too juſt a ſubject to be ſpent upon, himſelfe had not the power to keep back his, he was forc't to give nature leave to haue her courſe, and act her part, time would ſhortly act his too, and apply a plaiſter to their griefes; that he would performe in the memory of the dead Prince as much as an only ſon could expect from an affectionate father, and potent King, and that thenceforth hee would bee the ſon of Alexandra, the husband and brother eke of Mariamne, ſince God would needs redouble his obligations by the loſſe that they had ſuffered.

Genuine Tytanny, what is it but an inſatiable appetite of revenge? Alexandra who (a man would think) ſhould have thundred in injurious and reproachfull termes, as one that knew well that Herod (whatſoever hee put upon it) was author of this Tragoedy, did diſſemble the matter very ſtrongly without ſhewing towards the king on her part, ſo much as a diſcontented look when time and place would favour her. Herod withdrawing himſelfe now from the ſtage, thought hee had acted his part wondrous well, without caſting any ſhadow of ſuſpicion on his ſide, ſeeing that Alexandra did not utter a ſyllable, whoſe manner was to pout, and quarrell on farre ſmaller occaſions. To bring in the laſt lenitive, he cauſes the funcralls of the deceaſed Prince to bee celebrated with ſuch pomp, and magnificence, that nothing more could be added, both for the order, or conduct, and for the rarity of the ſpices, and odours, and alſo for the coſtly ſtructure of the Sepulchre: the ſimpler ſort did verily belieue that this proceeded from a true, & ſincere affection; but wiſer judgements ſaid they were but feigned teares, or wrung out perforce, and that Herod could not be ſad in earneſt for this accident, which took the mote out of his eye, and did lettle him in full poſſeſſion of the Kingdome of Iude a. Alexandra joyning the paſſion of ſorrow with that of vengeance, fayl'd not preſently after funerall rites performed to advertiſe Queen Cleopatra of all that had haphed, and in ſuch dolefull accents, that each period ſeem'd to have beene writ in teares of bloud. Cleopatra, who was already well prepar'd, took fire ſuddenly: ſhee entertaines the matter ſo hotly, as though it had been her own, ſhe gives the alarme to the whole Court, ſhee ſtormes & doth continually laſh the eares of M. Anthony, crying, that this was a thing inſupportable, to ſee a forreigner weare a Scepter, that did by no right belong to him, to maſſacre the heyre apparent with ſuch barbarous cruelty, to keep poore Queenes in ſlavery againſt all reaſon, and the priviledge of their births. Anthony who knew that Herod was his creature, & the work of his own hands, did not willingly give eare to theſe complaints: Nevertheleſſe to ſatisfie Cleopatra, he ſwore a ſolemn oath, that hee would examine the buſineſſe, and would ſend for Herod, and if he found him guilty of ſuch barbarouſneſſe, he would execute exemplary juſtice upon him. Behold Herod is ſummoned to Laodicea, where M. Anthony for a time was to ſojourn', hither hee is citee to make his appearāce, & to purge himſelfe of the murther of Ariſtobulus, which hee was held to be the author of. This was a crack of thunder to his guilty ſoule, which did terribly awaken him, when he leaſt of all thought of it, & put him in ſuch fearefull dumps, and apprehenſions that can ſcarce bee imagined. On the one ſide hee had before his eyes the guilt of his ofſence, and the voice of blood which cryed loudly in his eares: On the other ſide, hee ſaw that all his fortune did depend on M. Anthony, who would not have ſtirr'd then, but by the inſtigations of Cleopatra his mortall adverſary, & whom hee knew to have had a great longing after the Kingdome of Iudea for her own accommodation. But nothing tortur'd his braines ſo much as ſome franticke fit of jealouſie, for hee imagined that Anthony, a wanton Prince, who went about to obſerve the beauties of Queenes, would have had a taſt of his wife, whoſe picture had been before brought unto him, and that for to purchaſe his quietneſſe, he would cauſe him to proſtitute her, as a ſacrifice to his luſtfull pleaſures.

The man was puzzl'd and perplext on all ſides, and did deſcry every where objects of feare and danger; ſometimes he reſolves on a voluntary baniſhment, ſometimes hee thought it the better courſe to rid himſelfe out of the world, another time he muſters up his wits, and ſtrength, and goes about to make reſiſtance, but nothing ſeem'd better in his judgement, then to delay, and protract the buſineſſe, as much as he could poſſibly. Anthony being ready preſt for his expedition againſt the Parthians, ſends for him in good earneſt; his delayes, and evaſions did improve the former ſuſpicion. He muſt needs travell: or reſolve to looſe all. Hee takes leave of his Mother-in-law Alexandra, and his wife Mariamne, without all feare, or complaining, not ſhewing any ſigne of diſcontentment, as if he had been tomake a journy only for pleaſure. Moreover, he had yet his own Mother at Court, and his Siſter Salome, to whom hee gave ſtrict charge to watch heedfully the ſteps and behaviour of thoſe whō he thought had wrapt this web for him. Then taking his unkle Ioſeph aſide, hee ſpeakes to him in theſe words; Uncle, you know the buſineſſe which cals me to Laodicea, which is indeed of no ſmal conſequence, ſeeing my innocence undermin'd with ſo much ſtudy, & eagernes, and by many powerfull perſonages, who were the more to be feared, if their purpoſes could take ſo much effect as it hath of affection. But I hope to break through this miſt, and fowle weather, that you ſhall ſee me triumph over calumny by mine integrity, as you have er'ſt ſeen me triumph over hoſtile attempts by mine Armes: if God diſpoſe of it otherwiſe, all this trouble is procured mee for my beauteous wifes ſake, on whō M. Anthony might have ſome plot, & this might be the occaſion of haſtning my journey, for to give his paſſion more eaſe, and liberty. But for the preſent I adjure you by the reſpect you did alwaies beare towards me, by my fortune which you doe reverence, by our bloud and nature, that if (peradventure) you doe underſtand that I bee otherwiſe entreated, then my quality and innocence will beare, you permit not after the death of Herod that his bed be injur'd. Maintaine the Kingdome for you and yours, and cauſe my wife forthwith to be diſpatcht out of the world, for to beare mee company in another life. Kill her reſolutely for feare ſome take poſſeſſion of her after my death. If ſoules departed have any ſenſe, or ſeeling of the affaires of this world, this will greatly ſolace, and content me.

Ioſeph was not a litle ſtartled at this tale, yet promiſes notwithſtanding to put all things in execution according to his will, in caſe neceſſity required it. But his fortune alwaies dreadfull, and invincible, made him to conceive farre better hopes: Hereupon hee ſets him on his way, taking with him the choiceſt pieces, and ornaments in his Treaſury for to preſent unto thoſe, whom he ſhould ſtand in need of: ſhewing moreover ſuch confidence in his countenance, as he harbour'd diſpaire in his heart.

When he was arrived at Laodicea, he found many ſtrange informations, & articles drawn againſt him, which did charge him ſorely with the murther of Ariſtobulus. It was made manifeſt to M. Anthony, that Herod had alwaies his eyes, and thoughts bent upon the kingdome of Iudea, ſet on by his furious and exorbitant ambition, ſo that nothing more did check his hopes then to ſee Ariſtobulus living, to whom hee knew in his conſcience, the Scepter ſo juſtly to belong, that he durſt not beg it himſelfe from the Romans, but with the title of Regency, & Protectorſhip, during the minority of the right heire. That hee had converted his Regency firſt into a Royalty, then to Tyranny, removing (as much as poſſibly hee could) the blood Royall from all dignities, for to advance men of naught into ſuch places, witneſſe Ananel ſubſtituted to the Pontificate, whereof Hyrcanus was diſpoil'd, that which made him change his purpoſe was not his good will and affection, but importunity, and the apparent danger which he ſaw to ariſe by the peoples inſurrection, for the repulſe of the Royall family. That Ariſtobulus being promoted to the and receiv'd with the generall ſhouts, and acclamations of the people, this action was ſo diſtaſtfull and odious unto him, that hee could not conceale the madneſſe of his envy, under the mask of his ordinary hypocriſie, that ſince that time he never gave over to perſecute the deceaſed Prince and his mother, in ſuch amanner, that they finding no place of reſt among the living, hid themſelves in the Coffins among the dead, ſo to be convei'd to Sea, and thence to ſaile for Egypt; that hee cauſed them to bee apprehended in the fact, and that from thence forward, he ſtudied nothing more then how to rid them out of his way, that the young Prince died in the waters not ſolitary, & abandoned to himſelfe, but ſtifled manifeſtly by ſome inſolent Pages of the Court, and boſome of Herod.

All this proceſſe, or bill of information (ſay they) was ſo evident, and cleare, as if it were written with the Sun-beam. The voice of blood reacht up into heaven, that the Traytor could not ſtill the cry. They ſhew'd the picture of this poore Prince, which was a litle before his death brought into Egypt for the ſingular admiration of his beauty, they made his Ghoſt alſo to ſpeak, & to demād juſtice of M. Anthony, for being ſo inhumanely aſſaſcinned in the flowre and ſpring of his yeares, by the blackeſt treaſon that ever had been devis'd. The regrets and ſorrows of the poor mother amongſt all theſe were not pretermitted in her abſence. Cleopatra did act on the Tragoedy, the onſet was hot, the battery very fierce, and violent: Herod who never wanted an eloquent, and ſmooth tongue in his own behalfe, makes his Apology with a moſt demure, and ſober modeſt countenance.

Illuſtrious Prince,

ANd you my Noble Lords that aſſiſt at this Councell, I doe not hold the Scepter of Iudea from Hyrcanus, nor yet from Alexandra, I never had the intention to flatter them to this effect, and have leſſe reaſon yet to ſtand in awe of them: You know (moſt noble Anthony) that the Kingdome that is now in my hands I hold from you; by you have I advanced my greatneſſe, and in you are terminated all my hopes. If you command, I am ready at this houre, not to lay downe my Scepter only, but alſo my life, which I was never deſirous to preſerve but for your ſervice: But it troubles mee that the way of death, being wide and open to all the world, that of reputation (which to mee is dearer then my life) is blockt up againſt mine innocence. I am perſecuted by women, and I doe greatly wonder that the ſoule of Cleopatra all divine could ingender ſo much choller, and rancor againſt a King, who never fail'd in his reſpects juſtly due to her worth and honor. For Alexandra I doe not at all marvell if ſhe rais'd this tempeſt againſt me; her fierce, and high ſpirit hath ſtill tempted my patience, labouring by all ſiniſter waies to avile, and diſparage my government, and to take away perforce a crown, with a more puiſſant hand then thoſe of her fore-fathers hath ſet upon my head. What reaſon could ſhe pretend? Since by the favour of the Romans, I doe peaceably ſtand in a Kingdome, which was caſt upon me with the conſent even of my adverſaries. I never ſought for it (my ambition was ſo regular & modeſt) if I had, I had been guilty of a crime ſo horrible, that could not come within the thoughts of a mankind-wolfe. There is no man would play the villaine meerly for pleaſure; the Idea of vengeance, which is repreſented to the fancie, carries (as it were) a torch before the offence for to reveale it to the world. To what purpoſe had it beene to attempt the life of Aristobulus? Was it to eſtabliſh my eſtate? That was ſecure enough already: Your favour (moſt noble PRINCE) hath conferr'd on me more then all caſualities whatſoever ſhall be able to conquer, or raviſh from me. But I have ever put back the royall houſe from all promotions. How put it back? What in calling the disjoynted and ſcattered kindred within my boſome, as much as lay in my power? Every man knowes, how that Hyrcanus chiefe of the royall family, being detained priſoner among the Parthians, I ſtretcht my nerves, bent my veines, and engaged all my credit to ſet him at liberty, and make him returne to Court where he lives now in contented peace, partaking of all the rights, and priviledges of Majeſtie, without moleſting his head with any care of Civil affairs. 'Tis well knowne I have ſhar'd with him my Crowne, and my bed with his daughter Mariamne, making her Queene of Nations, and the ſpouſe of a King. I gave the Pontificate to her brother Aristobulus of meere free-will, being no way conſtrained thereunto, as being abſolute in the managing of my eſtate; and if I have adjourn'd it for a time, it was becauſe the age of the child did not tread equall paces with my deſires, for in effect they have ſeene him Pontiffie at eighteene yeares of age, which was no ordinary favour. Alexandra his Mother which cauſed all this ſtirre and turmoile, ever had full liberty in my Court, except the Licence to undoe her ſelfe, which ſhe ſo oft, and eagerly deſir'd. For what reaſon had ſhe to thruſt her ſelfe into a Coffin, and be carried by night as a dead body, to ſteale away out of my Court, and after ſhe had revil'd me in my houſe, now to goe and diſparage me abroad among ſtrangers? If ſhee had deſire to make a journey to Egypt, had ſhe ſpoke the word, it would have ſufficed; but ſhe pleas'd to ſurmiſe falſe dangers in true ſafety, and to put thoſe into hazard of their lives, that made her to live in all ſecurity. When I had diſcover'd this impoſture I have not let out one harſh diſtaſtfull word againſt her, making her to enjoy with caſe the ſpectacle of my patience, and judging that every fooliſh offender is ſufficiently puniſhed by his owne conſcience. A ſhort time after followed the lamentable death of the young PRINCE, which drew from me bitter teares of compaſſion, for I lov'd him dearly, and I am ſorry his Mother alter'd the ſweetneſſe of his good nature, and caus'd ſo much trouble to his younger yeares. He died not with me, but at his Mothers houſe, and by an accident which no man could prevent; died ſporting in the water, an element that we cannot truſt unto, where thouſands have periſhed, without any treachery; died with ſome pages of the Court, with whom he did uſually take his paſtime. 'Twas his owne motion that brought him to the water: The alacrity of his youth made him play with danger it ſelfe, which none could diſſwade him from, and his diſmall fate drowned him. It were too hard, and unreaſonable a taske impos'd upon me, if Alexandra would have me be accountable for the youthfulneſſe of her ſon, as though I had been his Governour, or for the infidelity and inconſtancy of the elements, as if I were Lord over them.

This pernicious head delivered this ſpeech with ſuch grace, and plauſibility that hee tooke off the edge of their ſpleene. Such power hath Rhetorick even in the tongue of a miſcreant! Loe he is paſt all danger, being as yet but got abord (as they ſay,) walking in the Court of Anthony with all freedome, expecting his ſentence of juſtification. In the meane while (as he was courteous & liberal on occaſions) by vertue of his donatives hee wonne the hearts of the chiefeſt men in the Court, and made all the accuſations to be but the pettiſhneſſe, and ſpleen of a woman miſinform'd. inform'd. M. Anthony himſelfe told Cleopatra that ſhe did ill to intermedie ſo much in forreigne Kingdomes, and if that he ſhould offend by her incitement ſhee might ſtirre up enemies to the hazard of his eſtate; that Herod was a King, and it was not fit to uſe him as a ſubject, nay it was his happineſſe to have him rather for his friend then his foe. While matters were a canvaſing in Anthony's Court, the Mother and ſiſter of Herod fail'd not to obſerve with all diligent circumſpection the actions of the Queene Mariamne and of her Mother Alexandra. His Vncle Joſeph was Keeper of the Priſon, and did often viſit Mariamne, ſometimes for buſineſſe, and ſometimes for complement. This man began to be ſindged like a butterfly with beames ſhot from the eyes of this incomparable beauty, and did beare a great deal of affection towards her, and though hee ſaw himſelfe farre enough from all manner of pretenſions, yet notwithſtanding he took a delight, that hee had plac'd his love on ſo high an object. This paſſion turn'd his braines, and made him fooliſh and talkative, being already clowne enough by ill education, which made him talke wonderfull ridiculous, and fooliſh. For one day when there was a ſpeech made of the affection that Herod beare to his wife Mariamne, Alexandra her Mother jeer'd at it very ironically, according to her faſhion; Ioſeph who would have the Queene ſtill to entertaine a good liking of her husband his Maſter, whether hee was mad or drunke ſpake with a loud voice:

Madam, let your Mother Alexandra ſpeak her pleaſure, but to ſhew you an evident teſtimony of the love the King your husband beares you, he gave me a charge, in caſe he were put to death himſelf, to kill you alſo, for that he could not be without your company in the other world.

At this ſpeech the poor Ladies grew pale and wan with feare. Alas the Tyrant (quoth Alexandra in her heart) what will hee doe being alive, ſince that in his death he cauſeth thoſe to die that ſurvive him. In the mean while there went a rumour very briefe in Ieruſalem (the dreames of credulous men) that Herod was dead, that M. Anthony had ſent him to execution, being convicted of the death of Aristobulus. Whether this bruite was divulged abroad by ſome of Herod's enemies, or whether himſelfe made it be ſpread ſecretly, for to prove the countenance and inclinations of men. Wiſe Marianme ſeem'd to give it no credit. Alexandra grew impatient and ſhrudded like a bird on the perch, beſeeching Ioſeph with all ſupplications poſſible to take them out of the pallace, and to lead them to the Court of Guard of the Roman legions, committing them into the protection of Colonel Iulius, that they might thence paſſe with ſafe conduct to M, Anthony; for ſhee greatly deſir'd that this PRINCE might ſee her daughter; perſwading her ſelfe that as ſoone as hee ſhould have a view of her, hee ſhould be captivated with her eies, and would ſhew all poſſible favour. Theſe intentions being naughty, had no good ſucceſſe at all, and all the purſuits of Alexandra ſerv'd for nothing but to vent her paſſion. Herod at length returnes victoriouſly with authentique teſtimonies of his juſtification, notwithſtanding all the endeavours of Cleopatra: God reſerving this Paracide for a Cain's life which concluded with a wretched, and fearefull death. His mother and ſiſter fail'd not to preſent him forthwith at his arrivall with a modell of their myſtery, and to acquaint him with the intention that Alexandra had to put her ſelfe under the power of the Romans. Salome, who envy'd Mariamne beyond meaſure, dipping her ſerpentine tongue in the gall of calumnie, accuſed her of ſecret familiarity with Ioſeph: Wherefore Herod who was extreamly jealous, thought inſtantly to cure it, and taking Mariamne apart, askt her whence proceeded that amitie which ſhee had contracted with Ioſeph. The moſt Chaſt Queen, whoſe patience was never vanquiſht, ſhew'd by her eies, by the poſture of her countenance, and ſpeeches that ſhee was ſo ſtung with this black ſlander that her perfidious husband did eaſily perceive how farre ſhe was from ſuch thoughts; and (in truth) being aſham'd of himſelfe for propoſing ſuch Queſtions unto her, he crav'd pardon, ſhedding hot tears, and thanking her for proving ſo faithfull to his bed, and making a thouſand proteſtations of immortal affection. The good Lady ſomewhat diſpleas'd to ſee ſo much hypocriſie, told him covertly, that indeed hee bare reall love to his wife who would needs have her company in the other world. Herod preſently apprehended at halfe a word what ſhee meant, and entred into ſuch diſtemper and violent paſſiō, that he ſeemed to be diſtracted, tearing his beard & hair, and crying Ioſeph had betray'd him, and that now hee muſt needs ſay hee had too much intelligence with Mariamne; otherwiſe no man could be ſo ſimple and ſottiſh as to reveale ſo important a ſecret. Hereupon he commands Ioſeph to be kill'd outright for a ſacrifice to his returne, not permitting him to come in his ſight, nor would he hearken to one word of excuſe. It did want but a litle that he did not thē fel down more ſacrifices to his wide inſatiate cruelty, and did not put Mariamne too to death; but the aſſured proofe of her innocence, and the impatient heate of his love ſuſpended the blow, that hee might make his anger (like nimble lightning) fly further off, which hee diſcharged on Alexandra, whom hee did confine for a •• me, keeping her aſunder from Queene Mariamne her daughter, taking it now for certaine that it was in her forge that all the machinations, & conſpiracies for his ruine were fram'd and fill'd.

Not long after, Herod ſaw himſelfe imbarkt in another buſineſſe no leſſe dangerous then the former. M. Anthony (who ever lent him his ſhoulder to ſupport him) had a long time contended againſt the fortune of Auguſtus Caeſar, and was quite diſcomfited in the battell of Actium, ending his hopes and life with a ſad Cataſtrophe. This accident aſtoniſht the Tyrant more then can be imagined, ſeeing the prop whereon he lean'd, ruin'd: His affaires which hee thought were now well knit, ripe againe in a night, and had him for an adverſary who was ſo forward in his deſigne for the Empire of the whole world. His friends and foes deem'd him one of the forlorne hope: He that eſcap't ſo many ſhipwracks doth not a whit deſpaire in this extremity, he takes a reſolution to goe, and find Caeſar who was then at Rhodes, and to caſt himſelfe at his feet: but before he ſets out on's journey, hee commits one moſt barbarous and inhumane act. Hyrcanus the right and lawfull King, who by his gentleneſſe and facility of nature firſt rais'd Antipater, then ſav'd Herod's life, promoting him to the Kingdome to the prejudice of his owne blood, was yet ſurviving in a decrepit age laden with yeares & cares: for he was paſt foureſcore yeares. The Tyrant fearing that he alone being left of the Royall blood, ſhould bee reſtored to the throne by the requeſts of the people, who did tender his innocence, ſeeing him now at the brinck of the grave flings him in, expelling (by brutiſh violence) that ſoule which he was ready to ſurrender up to nature. This was judg'd meer ſavage cruelty without any colour of juſtice, wherewith this abominable monſter ever us'd to palliat his actions: others write the death of Hyrcanus to have beene haſtned by this occaſion.

Alexandra (who could not ſhake off her ambitiō but with her skin) ſeeing that Herod went on a voyage, whence, peradventure, he was never to return, boords her father Hyrcanus, and ſhews him that the time was come wherein God would make his venerable old age to flouriſh anew in Royall purple: The Tyrant is intangled in ſuch nets and labyrinths that hee ſhall never get himſelf out againe. Fortune knocks at Hyrcanus his dore to render him the Diadem which is due unto him by right of inheritance, and taken from him by tyranny. It remain'd that he would but help himſelfe as much as in him lay, and his good fortune would work out the reſt. Hyrcanus replies; daughter the time is come that I ſhould rather meditate on my grave then a Royall Throne. You know what eſteem I made of greatneſſe being yet in an age, and condition when I had all reaſon to entertaine them, yet I have reno •• ac't them with a free-will, preferring my reſt before all the Diadems in the world. Now that I am in the Haven would you have me lanch again into the tempeſtuous Seas: Forbeare ſuch fond ſpeeches (good daughter) I have beheld but too much miſeries, talk to me of a Sepulchre, and not of a Scepter. Alexandra replies, that ſince he did not pretend to the life, nor the fortune of the living, yet notwithſtanding that he ought not to neglect his own blood, that he ſhould give way to equity, and he needed not to diſquiet himſelf, but onely to write a few lines to Malchus Lieutenant of Arabia, and hee would ſupply him with mony & ſufficient forces, as much as he had need of. Laſtly, he was bound in conſcience, and by the law of nature to preſerve his daughter and Grand child from the teeth of this Tigre. She did ſo ply his eares with theſe & the like reaſons, that at length hee yeelded to her, and treats with Malchus, that he ſhould levy for him anumber of horſe. The Letters are delivered into the hands of one D • ſitheus (a Coſen of this Ioſeph which Herod had caus'd lately to be ſlaine) for to be carried withall ſafety; but this perfidious ſlave betraying the blood of his allies, and the fortune of Hyrcanus, inſteed of carrying faithfully the Letter to Malchus, delivers it into the hands of Herod, who bids him go and deliver the ſaid Letter, and bring back the anſwer to him for to diſcover further the countenance, and intention of the Arabian. He fail'd not to promiſe Hyrcanus all aſſiſtance, inviting him with all kindneſſe to come over ſpeedily unto him. Herod having diſcover'd the whole matter, calls for Hyrcanus, and asketh him if he had received any Letters from Malchus? Yea (quoth he) but they contained nothing but complements: the other demandes, if with theſe Letters he did not receive ſome preſents? He confeſſed that Malchus (indeed) had made him a preſent of foure horſes to draw his Coach. Hereupon without any further forme of proceeding, the Tyrant commands the reverend old man to be murther'd, dying with blood the hoary head of him who had been his Nurſe, Protector, Father & all. Then after he had cag'd up Alexandra, and Mariamne in ſome place of ſtrength under the guard of Ioſeph his Treaſurer, & Soheme the I • urean, he goes ſtreight waies towards Rhodes, committing the whole charge of his Realme to his brother Pheroras. The Hiſtory makes no mention of the laments of the Queene and her Mother upon the death of Hyrcanus: Tis credible that all was conceald from them a long time, being kept in cloſe priſon, having no communication with any body. Alexandra champt upon the bit with much impatience: Mariamne did beare out the tediouſneſſe of this captivity with noble conſtancy,& ſought by all meanes to addulce her Mothe • s diſcontents. All her comfort was in God, for what elſe could ſhe ſpeak of, or think on? My God (quoth ſhe) thou ſteepeſt all thy creatures for me in wormewood: If I have at any time lov'd them and ſuckt any ſweet from the world, thou gaveſt me for one ounce of Hony a pound of Gall, Ever ſince I lai'd the Diadem on my head, I have felt nothing but thornes, and ſoveraignty was to me but a gorgious and noble ſlavery. My God, when ſhall we behold that joyfull day to ſhine upon us, which wee doe each day wait for, that ſhall dry up our teares, and burſting the bonds of our captivity, ſhall ſend us into Abrahams boſome, and into the freedome of thine elect? Theſe poore Ladies remained there in durance among horrid wals without ſeeing any thing but rocks, & wild ſolitude, which ſeemed to retain ſome compaſſion of their griefes: they knew not how the world went, much leſſe how any of the affaires of the Court ſtood: Every time the keeper came to viſit them, they expected no other tidings but the doome of death.

The Guard at the beginning ſhewed ſome ſeverity in their looks, & were reſerv'd in their ſpeeches, & all ſeem'd full of horrour, feare, & ſad ſilence. But there is no iron but molifies at laſt in the fire. Soheme, viſiting them the oftner according to his commiſſion, felt the rayes that iſſued from Mariamnes eyes ſo ſharp, that they pierc't his heart with relenting compaſſion; judging it too harſh dealing, to detaine a Queene captive, who by the liberall endowments which heaven had enricht her perſon with, could captivate all hearts. Hee begins to carry a more benigne aſpect towards her, and Mariamne ſeeing him one day in a good mood took occaſion to ſpeak to him with boldneſſe, and to aske him ſome news from the other world.

Soheme (ſaith the Princeſſe) you ſee us now in a very wofull eſtate, and our perſonages, but a day will come (perhaps) when this tempeſt will be blown over: misfortunes doe not alwaies attend at the ſame haven; you know what I am, and that in ſhewing me favour you ſhall not oblige an impotent much leſſe an ingratefull creature: only give us ſome hint of Herods purpoſe in deteining us here, and in what caſe the affaires are now abroad. Soheme at theſe words felt his heart ſorely ſhaken with a moſT fierce aſſault: on th'one ſide repreſented to his thoughts the revenge of Herod, which he obſerved lately in the example of Ioſeph, on the other ſide hee was ſo touched with commiſeration at this noble Princeſſe, that this frozen heart began now to melt and to break forth at his eyes. Mariamne ſeeing him perplext, and at a ſtand: Speak boldly Soheme, this ſhall no way prejudice thee being lockt up in deep ſecrecy, & it may doe us much ſervice, for the ſafty of our eſtate. Soheme imagining that either Herod would never return in the quality of a King, or that being in the protection of Mariamne, hee might eaſily purchaſe his pardon, unfolds his heart and tells her.

Madam I commit my ſecrets, & life into your power; alſo I deſire to dye the death before that ever I ſhould come to execute the barbarous command that Herod gave me, in caſe the affaires where of hee now treats with Caeſar, ſhould not ſucceed according to his expectation. And what was it (quoth Madam) Madam I tremble only to think on it. 'Tis a matter that concernes your life. My friend (replied Mariamne) this is his ordinary ſtile: ſo ran the mandate to his uncle Ioſeph in his firſt voyage. But are there no meanes to get out hence? Soheme makes anſwer, that Pheroras Herod's brother had charge of the Realme, & that (as extreamly jealous & miſtruſting) he has a heedfull eye, left by ſome new device you contrive your eſcape. Well, dye then wee muſt (quoth the Princeſſe:) to what ſide ſhall I turne my ſelfe? I ſee nothing but angers and the Image of death, with which I begin now to be familiarly acquainted. Soheme comforted her as much as lay in his power; but the ſtopping her eares thence forward to all charmes of worldly comfort dilated her heart to receive ſome from heaven; purifying her vexed ſoule day by day in a Bath of teares, & the ſmarting fornace of her afflictions. O the providence of the Almighty! 'Tis very true what the Scripture ſaith, Thy paths are in the deep, and thy tracks on the waters, who can diſcover ſuch dark footſteps! When this moſt chaſt, and innocent Queen in an obſcure priſon ſwimmes every day for a good part of her life in her own teares.

Herod being imbarkt (as yet all bloody with the maſſacre committed on the perſon of Hyrcanus) findes the Seas and Windes, men and opportunity all propitious to his affaires. This Proteus whoſe wit was pliant for all adventures, ſeeing that he could not diſſemble the ſervices hee had done to M. Anthony, ſtill proſtrating himſelf, like a fawning Curre at the feet of his fortune, intends to put a faire gloſſe upon them, and cover them with the mantle of vertue. Hee knew that Augustus was a Prince well born, generous and juſt, and that hee would employ faithfull ſervants in this new motion of buſineſſes which he had thē in hand; hee diſguiſeth himſelfe under the ſhadow of vertue, and cheats under the colour of conſtancy, and pretext of fidelity. Loe now he preſents himſelf to the Emperour & beſpeaks his Highneſſe in theſe tearmes.

Great Emperour,

BEhold my Perſon and my Crown at your Highneſſe feet; tis reaſon good that all ſhould riſe by your greatneſſe, ſince that God would commit the Empire of the univerſe to your hands. As for me I cannot feigne, and bely what I have been, no more would I diſſemble what I ought and ſhould be. I haue hitherto ('tis true) ſtood for my noble friend M. Anthony, and if he had given eare to mee as he did to Cleopatra his Miſtris, you ſhould have found (Caeſar) how much I was your enimy, and his friend; but this unhappy Prince being gull'd and beſotted by that creature took money from me, & adviſe from her to ruinate (by ſo doing, his own fortune, & to build yours upon their ruines: I have followed him even to the margen of the grave but did not enter in, in regard my death could no way advantage him; he is in that conditiō that I cā do nothing but ſend him the tribute of my teares; To you (great Caeſar) are due the ſervices which I do tēder with a fre & ready heart, if you bee pleas'd to accept of them on the conditiō not to conſtrain mee to think or ſpeak any thing injuriouſly to the memory of my ancient Maſter, whom being not able to ſerve, I ought nevertheleſſe to reſpect, and love after death.

Augustus liked well of this bold language, and deem'd that this man was of good proofe & mettle to make a good ſervant of, not ſeeing the ſubtlety of the Fox, meaſuring all for his own intereſt. He takes the Crown and places it on the head of Herod, ſaying, I would you ſhould live peaceably in your dominions, and be but as loyall to me as you have bin to M. Anthony.

Herod after this ſo lucky an acceſſe, ceaſt not to ſet himſelfe forward to the good liking of Auguſtus, ſeeking all occaſions ſo to do, but moſt of all in that voyage of the Emperour made to Aegypt, where he did continually give aſſiſtance and ſerve in many good offices. This buſineſſe ſo happily ſped, hee returnes in triumph to Hieruſalem with the aſtoniſhment of all the world. This was it that the vertuous Queen Mariamne did protract a life for ever to bee a ſacrifice for the ſolemnity of her bloody husbands triumphs.

Let us now ſee how this Lamp was extinguiſht, we cannot expect any ill ſent, the faire qualities of her life did accompany her to her death. Aſſoon as Herod was entred within the chief City, he goes to ſalute the Queen his wife whom he had cauſed to be ſet at liberty, being his affaires were in ſafety, & brings her the firſt tidings of the happy ſucceſſe of his voyage, hee was ſo ſwolne with the conceit of his good fortunes, that hee could hardly contain himſelfe within his skin, and the loue of ſo amiable an object as was then preſent after ſo many dangers exhauſted, did let his tongue looſe to much boaſting & vain ſuperfluous ſpeeches, thinking that by his diſcourſe he did much improve his honour and reputation. Mariamne pin'd away upon her leggs with fretfulneſſe to heare his vanities, and as ſhe was free and genuine in all her carriage, ſhee ſhewed how litle pleaſure ſhe took in his Rhodomantades, which his joy did heighthen to a degree of folly. He imagining this at firſt to bee but a fit of Melancholy which would ſoon vaniſh into ſmoak, did chear her up the more with words, ſhewing more Court-ſhip then uſuall. Among theſe careſſes, the poore Lady breathes out a ſigh or two, calling to minde the ſecret command lately given to Soheme. He well perceived by her countenance that ſhe was ſomewhat diſcontented, and entred into a ſuſpition that Soheme alſo had the flux in the tongue as well as Ioſeph. He knew not then how to compoſe his countenance, ſo much was hee moved within himſelfe. Love, choler, and jealouſie did inceſſantly hurry, and diſquiet him: hee could not be angry as he would, & could not chooſe but love whom he had ſtill impotently lov'd. This haughty ſpirit that could never ſtoop to any, but to deceive, was aſham'd to ſee himſelfe thus diſarm'd, and become as it were a Zanie in amorous dalliances not ordinary to his nature; then ſeeing that theſe ſubtilties did not ſucceed, hee torments himſelfe the more, and thinks now to flouriſh with the ſword, but love was ſo predominant over wrath, & withheld the ſtroak: Hereupon he retires, ſhaking his head, and muttering I know not what between his teeth, as curſing that love which made him mercifull in deſpight of his inclination. But alas there is no hatred to that of womē againſt their own kinde, when a jealouſie once ſeiſeth on their braines! Cipre an Arabian by nation, the mother of Herod, & Salome his ſiſter, ſeeing him ſo paſſionate fayled not to blow the coales with their tongues, and to kindle them with impudent ſlanders which the Tyrant gave credit to in part, but yet could not reſolve to ſtrike the ſtroak. It was a long time in agitation ere any thing could be concluded upon; at laſt there arives an unhappy day, when at noone-tide having withdrawn himſelfe to his privy chamber he ſends for Mariamne, who preſently comes upon the meſſage: But Herod being minded to a game in bed, ſhee would not conſent thereto, telling him the law of nature forbad her to lye with a man that had murther'd her Father and her Brother, meaning Alexander, who by the perſuit of Herod had been overthrown by the Romans, and her brother Ariſtobulus ſo cruelly ſtifled in the waters. Here Ioſephus the Hiſtorian, after hee hath ſo highly extol'd Mariamne as a chaſt Queen and truly endowed with an inviolable faith (for theſe be his words) taxes her with a litle diſdain which was (as hee ſaith) grown up with her nature, in that ſhee did diſreſpect the careſſes of her husband. But hee that would well ponder how Herod had entreated her neereſt kindred, maſſacring them moſt indignly, & how that holding the Scepter from her houſe hee did not eſteem of her as of a Queen, but as of a poore victime, which he caus'd to be ſhut up, commanding it to be beheaded whenſoever he ran in jeopardie of his life, for feare that any other ſhould enjoy her after his death; he ſhall finde that the Lady had ſufficient reaſon to give him this anſwer. Nevertheleſſe Herod that could not brook ſuch freedome of ſpeech, was ſo incens'd at theſe words that he went neere then to doe her a miſchiefe; his eyes ſparkling with anger, his voice rough, and his hands lift up to commit violence. As he walkt up & down in his chamber in a chafe, skirmiſhing thus with his choler, Mariamne ſtanding by without any farther reply, treacherous Salome thought it now a convenient time to give vent to her malitious project; ſhee ſends a ſervant that had pawn'd his faith and credit, and whom ſhe a long time had been inſtructing for to make him depoſe a ſlander as wicked as ridiculous, which was, that Mariamne having an intention to giue her husband a philtre (or love potion) ſhe addreſt her ſelfe to him, who being then the Kings Taſter and ſought to work him to doe this feat with many rewards, and promiſes, which he would never give care unto. Moreover hee was ſo taught his leſſon, that if, peradventure Herod demanded the ingredients of the Philtre, hee ſhould anſwer without farther heſitation that the Queen had the contriving of it, and that ſhe required of him only but to adminiſter it. This miſcreant enters the chamber in cold bloud, and makes depoſition moſt ſeriouſly: whereat Herod, who was all fire already, being more inflam'd then ever, thought with himſelfe that he needed not wonder any more whence this impatience of love ſhould proceed. Hee commands preſently an Eunuch of the Queen, one of the moſt truſtie of them to be attacht, thinking that nothing paſt without his knowledge, hee puts him to the rack, inſomuch that his body being already weak enough, not able to beare out the violence of the tortures, and on the other ſide having nothing to ſpeak againſt his good Miſtris, in whoſe converſation he never knew any thing but what was honourable and honeſt; hee was kept a great while in this miſerable plight, at length hee lets fly a word, ſaying that hee had ſeen Soheme talking a long time in private with the Queen, as though hee made ſome diſcovery and that ſince that time hee well perceived that ſhe was much dejected. Herod had no ſooner heard this ſpeech, but 'tis enough, ſaith he, take him off and call Soheme.

Soheme knew nothing of this that paſſed, he liv'd in great content, having lately attain'd to ſome good place of command by the Queens recommendation. He was quite aſtoniſht when he ſaw them lay hands on him and compell him to confeſſe the diſcourſe hee had with Mariamne when ſhe was in priſon: he utterly denying the matter is forthwith ſlain. This day Herod retires into his Cabinet, drinking by full draughts the gaul and venome of his fatall anger, meditating in his heart on the fury which hee ſhould make to burſt out ſhortly in publique: for without allowing any truce to his labouring brain, he aſſembles his Privie Councell, and ſends for his Queen, who exprected nothing leſſe then ſuch arraignment. This monſter that ſtudied alwaies to ſet a colour of juſtice on his moſt unreaſonable actions, beginnes a long Oration which he had indited at his leaſure, and as every man ſtood like a Ghoſt ſtruck with feare and filence, expecting the iſſue of this Tragoedy (onely bold Mariamne ſtood arm'd with an undanted conſtancy for all events) he ſpeaks to them in theſe termes.

It ſeems God would counterballance my proſperous affaires abroad with the unhappineſſe of domeſtick evills: I have found ſafety among the winds and tempeſts in irkſome voyages I have undertaken, and in many perillous atchievements that I have brought about, to finde in my return a tempeſt in mine own Court. You are not ignorant how that I have foſtered all the houſe of Hyrcanus in my boſome in thoſe deplored times, when it was at a low ebb, & neer confuſion; in recompence whereof as if I did ſit upon the egs of a Serpent, ſo I have found but hiſſing and ſtinging. God knowes how oft I have diſſembled injuries, and how oft I have cur'd thē with patience, but yet I cannot bring my heart to ſo obdurat and brawnie a temper, but it is ever & anon ſtirr'd up and ſcarified with ſome new ſores. Behold there my wife, who following his Mothers ſteps, is ever bent to trouble my repoſe. As ſoon as I was return'd from my late dangerous voyage, as you know, I brought her tiding of the happy ſucceſſe to my affaires, ſhee ſhewing how litle eſteem ſhe made of my eſtate and perſon, did heare mee with ſuch a coy and diſdainfull carriage, that notwithſtanding all the Courtſhip I made to her, I could not draw from her pride one good word, nay ſhee was not content with this, ſhee proceeds to open miſchiefes, and bloudy machinations, which I had rather (in honour of your eares) paſſe over in ſilence, & come to effects. Behold there one of my faithfull ſervants, that doth teſtifie how that ſhe had ſuborn'd him to give me a Philtre, that is, poyſon for to giddie my braines, and take away my life, which God doth ſtill preſerve to make a recognizance of all the good offices which all in generall and you in particular have done me: So you ſee that I am arrived home with my temples girt with Laurells, honoured and favour'd by the moſt renowned men of the world, to bee the ſhittle-cock of a womans mallice, and the But of her treachery. I could not win her by ardency of love, or any good turnes, no more then if ſhee had been a Lioneſſe. Conſult among you what you ought to doe, I deliver her to the power of your iuſtice, being not (in this caſe) to follow mine own judgement, that poſterity may know that mine own intereſts come alwaies below the truth, to which I have taught them ever to ſtoop and bend the knee.

Herod in ſpeaking theſe words would ſeem to be very calme conjuring down his paſſion, and curbing his nature which was pliable enough, but yet his choler ſo wrought and fum'd up, that the Councell ſoon diſcover'd his malady, & that he had a full purpoſe to exterminate the Queen. They ſummon her to anſwer upon the ſuddain without any Advocate. This glorious Amazon, a young Impe of the Macchabees, and heire of their heroick patience, being preſented before this crue & conventicle of malignant ſpirits, 28 yeares before the comming of our Saviour in the fleſh, did then what may inſtruct poſterity moſt illuſtriouſly by her example. No man ever obſerv'd an impatient word to ſally out of her mouth, ſhe uſed not any word of recrimination, or charged back any with their own crimes, and being able to lay before the Councell the many outrages ſhe had ſuffered in her own perſon, and in her kindred, ſhe ſwallowed all wrongs with more then humane patience only touching the main Article of her accuſation, ſhe ſaid that for the draught or potion that was objected to her, 'twas a thing in the judgement of all that would confider it well, fartheſt off any thing from her thoughts, ſeeing that ſhe had alwaies dreaded the love of Herod more then his hate: moreover that ſhe made not any account of her life wherein ſhe had endur'd but too many afflictions, much leſſe of the Court where ſhe never drew any ayre of delight, and that if they would oppreſſe her innocence by falſe witneſſe, it was moſt eaſie to overcome her, no ſubject more obvious and probable. It was moſt eaſie to take the Diadem off her head and her head off her ſhoulders, but it would bee no eaſie taske to take from her the reputation of a Lady of Honour which ſhe held in Capite from her anceſtors, & which ſhe would carry along with her to the duſt.

The poore ſoule was as a filly Lamb in the jawes of a Lion, and in the fangs of many Wolues: They proceed to judgement and all proceed according to Herods propenſion. They knew it was his will to rid her out of his way, that was ſufficient. There was not one found that had the boldneſſe to ſtand up in the defence of the innocent Queen, or to aſſwage the paſſion of Herod in any manner. Each mans conſcience was clog'd either with crimes, or timorouſneſſe; whence it hapned that theſe impious judges did more in favour of the Tyrant then he would have done, for they all concluded to adjudge her to death: hee was ſtruck with ſome horrour at the firſt, as bloudy a man as he was, & commanded that ſhee ſhould bee committed to ſafe cuſtody within the Court, ſuſpending the execution, thinking perhaps thereby to make her the more tractable to his humour. But enraged Salome that had ſtirr'd up this tempeſt not willing to leave a thing halfe done drawes neere to the King her brother, & makes remonſtrance, that ſuch birds were not to be kept in cages that this was a buſineſſe which concern'd his Crowne and Life, and that all now tended to a revolt, if he delai'd this execution he would haſten his owne ruine and the eſtates both: whereupon Herod let ſlip this ſpeech, Why let ber be taken away; and immediately a Tribune was diſpatcht, to the good Queene, who brings her news of her laſt houres approach, ſaluting her with all reverence, Madam the King calls for you, and you are preſently to die: ſhe nothing moved with the meſſage replies, let us goe (friend) outright, Herod cannot be ſo ſpeedy but he ſeemes ſlow to me: and when ſhe had thus ſaid ſhee advances forward, and marches ſtreight to the place of execution, without changing her colour, with a cleer countenance which drew tears from all ſpectatours to crowne her patience. As ſhe was ready to receive the fatall ſtoake, Alexander a her Mother, her companion in Priſon, the Cabinet of her thoughts, that both ſeem'd to have but one heart intwo breaſts betraying her blood, nature, and all pietie for ſome miſchievous reaſon of eſtate that ſhe might not be ſuſpected of Herod as though ſhe had conſented to her daughters perverſneſſe, comes there to taxe her with horrible injuries, and ſhee went neere to dragge the poore Princeſſe by the haire of the head, and to hale her along the pavement, telling her in extreme rage, that ſhe was an untoward peeviſh dame, and that ſhee did well deſerve death for that ſhe would not agree with ſo good a husband for the ſupporting of their common fortunes. See here the greateſt indignity that can be conceived! In ſuch an accident there is no better hony, nor a worſer ſting then that of bees, and no better amity, nor worſer enmity then that of kindred. Patient Mariamne did not ſpeake a word, not ſo much as, Good Mother permit my ſoule to depart in peace which is now upon my lips ready to take her flight, and trouble not my laſt and eternall reſt; but with a generous ſilence ſealing her mouth to all replies, and opening her heart towards God the only witneſſe of her innocence, being thus indignly handled, ſhee profers her neck to the headſman for to ſeale with her blood the laſt teſtimonies of her patience. Ioſephus ſpeakes not ſo expreſſely of the manner of her death as being a matter without controverſie that ſhee was executed according to the ordinary manner of thoſe times, which was to behead all delinquents of ſuch ranke. This faire breaking of the day which as yet carried comfort and healing in his wings to the poore afflicted ſoules that were in this horrible confuſion of Tyranny, was then obſcur'd and quite put out with her blood: the eyes of all the throng that did aſſiſt at this ruefull tragedie being bath'd in teares did behold her in her red lips. When they ſaw this countenance (arm'd with royall Majeſty) ſo couragiouſly to affront death which makes the boldeſt heart to tremble, and her alabaſter neck ſtretcht out and ſtoop't to the glittering axe to be ſever'd from her faire body, a cold horror ran through the ſhivering joynts, and bones of all the croud, and there was no rock ſo hard but would have ſweated watry drops of teares to ranſome her blood from being ſpilt. Her head was ſever'd from her body, and her body from her ſoule, but this will never be ſeparated from her God, who rears to her memory an eternall trophie of patience. Her trunck lay cold, and extended upon the place, and the voice of innocent blood, which now mounted up to pierce the Clouds, & demand revenge from the protector of innocence, was incontinently heard to good purpoſe, as you ſhall e're long underſtand.

This faithleſſe husband that had ſo barbarouſly handled a Princeſſe ſo worthy of all reſpect, was ſoone as ſhe had yeelded up the ghoſt as if he had been ſtruck with an inviſible dart, cryed out of griefe, and ſai'd that he had given a blow that deſerved God's anger & vengeance; then with fearfull howling he invokes inceſſantly the memory and name of the deceaſed Queene, to whom hee could not by his plaints reſtore what he had taken away by the executioners hatchet: whither ſoever he went, he was ſtil accompanied with the Image of his crime; black furies revelling in his cōſeience, & terrifying him with ſights and fearfull apparitions: hee tried all manner of feaſting, dancing, and delights to expell melancholy; but it encreas'd the more, in ſo much that he was conſtrained to abandon the helme of government, though hee had been active and indefatigable in this exerciſe: he became at firſt a dotard, and all ſtupid, not knowing what hee did; for ſometime at dinner he ſpeakes to his attendants, and bids them call the Queene to him, as if ſhee had been ſtill alive, they hearkned unto him without returning a word, & all the Court was ſtruck with ſilence and amazement; at laſt he being not able to endure the pallace walles, as though they did upbraid his cruelty, hee goes and haunts the groves & uncouth places of retreate like a ſalvage, thereby contracting ſuch a ſtrange diſeaſe in his braines, and ſo violent a frenzy, that the Phyſitians ſaw no way to remedy it, telling him freely that it was a blow from heaven: God who did reſerve him for further calamities would not vouchſafe to take away his life at that preſent. That wicked Mother Alexandra that ſo outragiouſſly ſcolded at her daughter on the ſcaffold, went ſhortly after the way of all fleſh, taſting the bitterneſſe of death but looſing the glory of it. In the reare of this, followed a peſtilence which ſwept away many of Herod's counſellors of ſtate; and all theſe were but the ſcourges of heaven to avenge this ſo lamentable death, but never enough lamented. Mariamne from her chaſt bed left Herod two ſonnes, Alexander and Ariſtobulus who were very young, capable to endure much more in after-times, but as then incapable to underſtand their preſent miſeries. Herod for to take away from them the reſentments of this horrid fact, and to raiſe them both together by good education to the glory of his Scepter, packs them away in good time, and ſends them to Rome to be train'd up in Auguſtus Caſar's Court, held at that time the Academy of Kings, and the moſt renowned School of the world. After ſome years expir'd he tooke a deſire to make a journey into Italy for to ſalute Caſar, and by that meanes to ſee his ſonnes, whom hee found very well improv'd, and ingeniouſly brought up, and ſo compleat, that hee would faine with the good leave of Auguſtus bring thē along with him back to Iudea, and ſo he did: Theſe young Princes returning to Ieruſalem with Herod, did raviſh all the people with admiration; they were of a very comely proportion very nimble and active, and well exercis'd in feats of armes, well ſpoken, affable, and as much worthy of love as their Father of hatred. Men beheld them as they doe the two ſtarres of Castor and Pollux after a tempeſt; they fill'd all with joy, and ſeem'd already to have wonne hearts enough to winne them crownes according to their merit, yet thoſe that call'd to mind the uſage of their Mother Mariamne could not containe their teares.

Pheroras, Herod's brother, and his ſiſter Salome, who had both of them a hand in the murther of the innocent Queene, entred into ſuch apprehenſions that cannot be expreſt, ſeeing that the blood which they had ſpilt was one day to rule over them: They began thenceforth tartly to traduce them, and convey (by ſome creatures ſubborn'd thereto) many reports to Herod's cares, which were in effect to informe, how that the Princes his ſonnes (in regard of what had hapned touching their mother) were very averſe frō their Father, & would never beinduced to affect him againe. Herod who was yet warm with the heat of his affection towards thē, gave no credit to the ſlander; for ſeeing them now upon the march towards ripes yeares, he bethought him how to match thē honourably, ſueing for his ſon Alexander the daughter of Archilaus King of Capadocia named Glaphira, which was granted him, & for Ariſtobulus he was betrothd to the daughter of Salome, his coſin Germane; thus cementing the breaches & enmities of his houſe. Alexander and Aristobulus did converſe together very freely, and ſpoke all that lay upō their hearts, talking of the death of their mother, in ſuch a manner, that they ſhewed that they were ſenſible of it: Pheroras, and Salome very cloſe and malignant ſpies, did not ceaſe to toll them into dangerous ipeeches, and all that they had ſpoken (either through vanity, or ſome fit of anger, or through preſumption of ſecrecy) was preſently reported to Herod's eares. Crafty Salome yet beating ſway over her new married daughter, who was a ſimple harmleſſe creature, did ſhrife her punctually, to know of her what her husband did uſe to talke of in the privacy of their mutuall embraces. Shee forth with related all the ſpeeches, which theſe poor Princes had ſpoken in ſimplicity or merriment, namely, that Ariſtobulus brag'd, that the Empire appertain'd to the iſſue of Mariamne as the linage of a true Queen: as for the ſonnes of Herod, they were ſow'd abroad, and diſperſed in good number (for hee had ſome nine or ten wives) ſo that he made moſt of them advocates in petty Townes, and it went well with them if they had learn'd to read and write; ſhee added moreover, that Alexander ſpake in a bravado, that he was ſomewhat of another mold then his Father, yet notwithſtanding when hee convers'd with him, ſeeing him of a jealous humour he kept himſelfe within his ſcabbard, not daring freely to expreſſe himſelfe, for fear of caſting ſhadowes of his ability; that going to hunt, and walke with Herod, he us'd to contract and wind in his body, that he might not ſeem bigger then his father: If he went to draw a bowe, hee did it very bungler-like, of purpoſe to free himſelfe from all envy. This was a maine peece of wiſdome to doe ſo, but the trick of a very novice to talk ſo much, though words as innocently ſpoken, as ſiniſterly and captiouſly interpreted; and above all a very ſimple errour, to commit their ſecrets to a woman, whoſe breſt (for the moſt part) is as fit to guard any thing intruſted to its cuſtody, as a five to carry water. When Pheroras, and Salome had diligently plyed the ears of Herod with theſe petty informations, ſeeing ſome ſuſpition to plant, & take rooting in his mind, and that the fathers affection towards his ſonnes did waxe cold, they ſtrike in opportunely, and adviſe him ſeriouſly to take heed of his ſons, that they were in labour with ſome great exploit, and ſpake loudly, That all thoſe that had any hand in the ſhedding their mothers blood, ſhould not beare the puniſhment off in the other world: For indeed as they were harping on that harſh ſtring, ſuch like ſpeeches did eſcape from them. Herod was exceedingly aſtoniſht at this freedome, as thinking it neceſſary to repreſſe their boldneſſe with ſome counterpriſe. What doth he to take downe the ſpirits of theſe Princes? Hee goes, and takes him one of his other ſonnes call'd Antipater, (begot upon one Dorid a woman of meane ranck, and who was afterward ſhamefully baniſht the Court) he hoiſts him in a moment to the top of the wheele, not that hee purpos'd to leave him there, but hee would have him ſerve as a Check-mate for the ſons of Mariamne, judging him a fit inſtrument for that end: For indeed this Antipater was a darke, ſullen, and malicious ſpirit, who held much after the Father. When he ſaw himſelfe on an inſtant ſo highly mounted, he reſolv'd not to deſcend, but with the loſſe of his skin, & to ſhare of the Realm as well as the reſt, by ſome device or other. Well, to that end he fits the Scene, and conforms himſelfe to all faſhions for to get into credit with Herod, (who from that time began to like him very well) and he fail'd not under hand to put on foot afreſh thoſe accuſations, to get ſurer footing in this new preferment, that had been commenced againſt the ſonnes of Mariamne. And when hee had flung the ſtone, he drew in his arm ſo neatly, that hee ſeem'd not to have any way ſtirr'd in it; for he did alwaies bear a moſt reſpectful carriage towards Alexander, and Aristobulus, as towards his Maſters, eſpcially when hee caus'd thoſe falſe reports to be inſtill'd afreſh into his Fathers eares, by ſome creatures well taught and rewarded. He fain'd alſo, with a borrowed modeſty to take their cauſe in hand, but hee excuſed them ſo ſlily to his own advantage, that he brought them within greater ſuſpicion then before. King Herod for to bring him into ſome eſteem and authority, thought it were not amiſſe to ſend him to Rome for a time, which he did, giving him a flouriſhing attendance, and an infinite deale of recommendations. Here hee ſate a brooding more ingenious miſchiefs, & from hence purſued his plots more cloſely, & with more art. In a letter to his father, hee wrote that he had diſcovered at Rome ſtrange plots, that he ſhould beware of his brethren, Alexander and Ariſtobulus; for they had every where ingroſſed the hearts of the people, and that their deſigne was no other, then to ſhorten his daies, & to diſpoſſeſſe him of his kingdome. This had the more colour, for that the yong Princes being not a litle moved with their late rejection or degradation could not diſſemble their diſcontents, and did dayly caſt about ſome words, which were gather'd up by the ſpies of Pheroras, and Salome, that no fillable fell to the earth. It griev'd Herod to ſee that having compos'd all in peace abroad, the fire had caught hold on his own houſe: and thence forward he had a minde to ſeize upon his ſonnes, but hee would not make any attempt upon their perſons without Caſars command, to whom he referr'd all, both for the expreſſion of his obeiſance, and for the ſafety of his eſtate. After he had meditated on the matter with himſelfe very carefully and ſeriouſly, (for it did much grieve his heart whence all his Counſels did ſpring, & had their firſt riſe,) he reſolv'd to bring his ſonnes to Rome, & there to accuſe them before Caeſar. All along the way frō Paleſtine to Italy, did hee carry his thoughts ſo cloſe, that his lookes did never betray them, nor did he ſhew any ſymptoms of diſtaſt towards his Sonnes, leſt hee ſhould caſt ſome ſhadowes of ſuſpition. Being arriv'd at Rome, hee underſtands that Caeſar was then in Aquilegia, whither hee poſts without delay, bringing his two ſons along, who were by the Emperor (who was as a father to them) very courteouſly received with all demonſtrations of affection. In the interim this wretched father, eſpying his opportunity begges from Caeſar a day of audience, in a buſineſſe (as he ſaid) of great conſequence, which he granted him, & he came upon the very inſtant agreed upon, bringing with him the two delinquēts, who intended nothing as then, but to laugh, & paſſe the time with their old acquaintance. When they were in the midſt of a glorious aſſembly (which were of purpoſe there met) Herod fetching a deep ſigh, addreſſeth his ſpeech to the Emperour.

You now behold (Great Caeſar) a King happy enough by your Grace, and favour, but a moſt unhappy Father in the diſgraces, & ill fortunes of my houſe: if nature had deni'd me iſſue, fortune would haue ſav'd me much miſery, and trouble. It doth much grieue mee to ſoile your eares (renowned Caeſar) with the recitall of ſuch ungraciouſneſſe; but neceſſity which hath no law compels me, & your juſtice which protects all Lawes, invited me to it. Loe here my two Sonnes (unnaturall Sons) who had the honour to bee brought up at your feet, after that they had receiv'd from mee all favour, that might be expected from a king by your goodneſſe potent enough, & from a father by his own nature moſt indulgent, betraying the glory of their education received at your hands, and forgetting their bloud and nature receiv'd from me, they have attempted a crime which I am afraid to utter. I endured much for them, add their welfare, and I enjoy a kingdome now a faire terme of yeares, which I have purchas'd with ſo much ſweat, and turmoile; I have opened the gate of honour for them to enter at after my deceaſe, when a naturall death ſhould cloſe up mine eyes; but they would needs enter in at the gate of paricide, laying ambuſh for my life, for to take away the ſpoile ſoakened in my bloud. I haue them here at your feet, not retaining in mine own wrongs any right of a King, or father, but what your juſtice will think fit to ordaine, and preſcribe: Yet (Creat Caeſar) I muſt beg of you this requeſt, that you would grant my old age, which you have ſo much honoured, ſome reſt in mine own houſe, & to reſcue me from the hands of theſe Paricides. Alſo I doe not think it any way expedient, that ſuch graceleſſe, & ungratefull Sons, that have trod under feet the Laws of God and men, ſhould any longer look the Sun in the face, which ſhould both witneſſe, and upbraid their folly.

The man ſpake this with wonderfull vehemency, ſo that he did amaze all the aſſembly; and the poor youths which had as much innocence, as ſimplicity, ſeeing themſelves thus battered, & overborne with a tempeſt of words, which they did never preſage, made their eyes to weep an Apologie, & they fall a crying in good earneſt: they ſtrove to recover their ſpeech, fearing that their ſilence would prove them guilty; but the more they labour'd to vent their thoughts, the more did their ſobs interrupt their courſe.

Augustus Caeſar, a judicious and humane Prince, ſaw well by their demeanour, and countenance, that the young men were guilty of more miſery, then miſchiefe, and caſting a gracious look upon them Courage my Youths, ſaith hee to them, ſtand firme, anſwer all by leaſure, let nothing diſmay, or trouble you. All the Court did now pitty them, and Herod too ſhew'd in his countenance, that he was a litle mov'd; ſo eloquent are our naturall ſtrength and armes Alexander ſeeing the eyes of all to caſt propitious, and favourable beames upon them, wakens his ſpirits, and breaking through a throng of ſighs (as he was pretty well tongu'd) he ſpake as followeth: My Lord and Father, your Majeſtie hath not (I truſt) brought us ſo far before the Altars of mercy, for to make us a ſacrifice to vengeance; wee are at the knees of Caeſar, as in the temple of clemencie, whither being conducted by your conſent, & command, I muſt needs ſay, that as your words were rough, and bitter, ſo are your proceedings moſt faite and gentle. If calumnie could have ſo altered your good nature, as to have wrought you to aſſaile our lives, to the diſadvantage, and hazard of our innocence, this you might have done in Palestine, as a Father, and as a King, the doome and execution was in your own power: but God permitted it, that you have led us to the court of Caeſar, not to leave our heads here, which you have deſtinated to a Crowne, but to bring them backe victoriouſly triumphing over detractio. It is a ſtrange thing, to invent ſo erroneous a crime againſt perſons of our quality & reputation, without alleaging why, or how. Here is no ſpeech of any letters, poyſons, complots, treacheries, Miniſters ſubom'd to practiſe them, only we are proclaim'd Paricides, and the proofes left behind, not any produc'd: if this ſufficeth, there will not be found ſuch exalted innocence in the world, which ſlander wil not dare to faſten his teeth upon. Our enimies, who of a long time have been weaving this web, ſay nothing, but that we have age and courage enough to performe this, & that we would one day attempt to avenge our Mother Mariamnes death. As for the firſt reaſon, who ſees not how weak it is? If there needs but age, & courage to commit a murther, this were to make the whole ſurface of the world a 〈◊〉 and to overwhelm it with a deluge of bloud; to make all parents jealous, & miſtruſtfull, and all children criminall. For the ſecond reaſon, which touched out deceaſed Mother, ſhe hath left us at thoſe yeares, that we cannot as yet bemoan, or apprehend well our miſeries. Since we have out-liv'd our childhood, we were never deſirous to prie into your cabinet counſells, to examine your juſtice: Her falt to doe ill ſhould not have made us the more bold, but the more heedfull, and ſtudious to doe well. We beſtowed our teares upon her only, not to bewaile her death, but to ſatisfie our ſorrowes, ſeeing that our enimies ceaſed not to diſquiet her urne, whole bloud they ſpilt. Father, if our teares which did iſſue forth by the command of nature, behold crimes at your barre, where ſhall wee finde any ſafety, but in your juſtice? Never among theſe our complaints did there eſcape a hard, or irreverent ſpeech againſt your ſelfe, but indeed againſt thoſe, who abuſe your authority to the ruine of yours. We have no reaſon to hate your life, but to loue it; and by ſo much the more, in that you have judged us capable, & worthy to inherit your Crown, before all our brethren. You have given us all the enſignes of ſoveraignty, all the honour we can expect; ſo that to demande more were to beg a Licence to undoe our ſelves: Why ſhould wee ſeek a Kingdome by a murther, which is to fall to us with your conſent, and good liking, that ſo Heaven, Earth, and Se as conſpiring with Caeſar might bar thoſe gates againſtus, to the which wee would have made a key tempred in the blood of our Father. Your Majeſtie (it may be) hath begot us more unfortunate, then now it were expedient for your eſtate; but we ſhall never be ſo fooliſhly impious, as to commit a villany that would eternally ruine us without recovery. Moſt honour'd Father, expell that fiend of ſuſpition which hath poſſeſt you; or if it pleaſe you to entertain it longer we will both part with our lives, whereof wee are not ſo tenderly enamour'd, that we would retain them, with the diſpleaſure of him that gave them.

This ſpeech attended with the teares of the young Princes did raviſh all the Auditors, and as they ſaw them both with dejected eies, expecting the ſentence of the judge, each man burn'd with a defire to ſtand up in their juſtification, Caeſar caſts his eyes on Herod, who ſhewed himſelfe to be much moved with pitty, & would have wiſht hee had never thought on ſuch an accuſation; for indeed this accuſation did put him much out oſ conceit, and credit with the aſſembly, and made him blame his credulity. Auguſtus not willing to ſhame him, pronounced that (in truth) the children were much to blame, that they had any way moleſted him; but as for the crime intended, hee ought to raze it out of his Regiſter.

The young Princes were well bred, and brought up hitherto; it remained that they ſhould live henceforward in good correſpondence, and renew the ſacred bond of nature, which could not bee broken by ſo good a father, nor by the children, who did promiſe ſo much & ſo faire for the future. This being ſpoken, Herod embraces his Sonnes one after another with weeping eyes, which drew teares even from thoſe that were no way intereſſed in it.

After many Leuvoyes, & complements, behold them now on their return, together with their father, and brother Antipater, who did act (though behinde the curtain) all this faire Tragoedy; nevertheleſſe he did captivate them with his curteſies, rejoycing and congratulating their good ſucceſſe, as if his heart had blaz'd in joyfull fires. So works the tyrannie of diſſimulation in Courts untill that God one day take off the maske! Being return'd to Ieruſalem, a yeare did ſcarce run about, before that malice lay'd new giones, to the innocence of theſe poore Princes. Pheroras thought within himſelfe to poſſeſſe Alexanders head with jealouſie, telling him with much ſecrecy, that his father Herod did wantonly ſport and dally with Glaphyra, his wife, (daughter of King Archelaus) judging that this would be a powerfull way to make him revolt, and ſet him all in a rage againſt his father, and ſo to precipitate him to his ruine. Theſe words indeed did very ſenfibly touch this noble ſoule, that he began thence forvvard to obſerve vvith a jealous eye, the actions of Herod, vvho in truth plai'd the minion all day with the young Princeſſe, vvho vvas endow'd vvith ſurpaſſing feature, but more he could not diſcover at all in his converſation: ſave the blandiſhments of a father in Law towards a daughter, vvorthy to be cheriſht for her many good parts. Yet notwithſtanding Alexander, after hee had taken in this ſubtile intelligence of Pheroras, turned this hony into poyſon, interpreting all to the worſt, and was ſo tranſported therewith, that (ruſhing one day to his fathers chamber, he declared unto him the jealouſie, and ſuſpition that he had conceived, with many ſighes, and teares of anger. Herod vvas much troubled vvith this imputation, & deeming it a thing unbefitting his perſon to ſtir in juſtifying himſelfe vvith multitude of vvords, in excuſe of that vvhich vvanted not any, hee ſaith to him only, my good Son, vvho hath put this into thy head? The other repli'd. That he knew it partly, & Pheroras did aſſure him of it. Pheroras is preſently ſent for and Herod, vvho d • d ever u • e him like a ſervant, frown'd upon him, as though hee vvould have lookt him dead. Thou Rake-hell (quoth he) vvhat haſt thou ſpoken to this young man? It vvas not a tale vvhich thou haſt vvhiſper'd him in the eare, but a ſword thou haſt arm'd his hand vvith againſt his father: for he doth juſtly not to brook acompanion of his bed, no more vvould I of my Realme. U • gratefull vvretch ſhould not thou have torne thy heart out of thy breſt, rather then conceiv'd ſuch a thought of thy brother? The houſe was never tainted with ſuch crimes, nor never ſhal, except thou peſter it with thine: Pa • k, and let me ſee thee no more; I ordaine tortures for other delinquents, but for thee (in that thou art ſo wicked) I leave thee to the rack of thine own conſcience, not finding a fitter executioner.

Pheroras nothing amated with this noiſe, anſwered, • hat he knew nothing, but what Salome (who was there preſent) had told him; as indeed it ſprung from her. But the crafty Megera incontinently crying out, and tearing her haire, ſaid, it was a lamentable caſe, that ſhe ſhould be perſecuted by all the world, onely for being faithfull to her brother. Herod could not chooſe but ſtand amaz'd to ſee theſe ruptures in his houſe; and he ſaw not in the mean while, that his bad example was the ſourſe & originall of all theſe curſes that befell it. He did nothing to Pheroras, but diſcard him for a time: for though he was much incenſt, yet he did not ſtorme in earneſt, but againſt thoſe that hee thought to conſpire againſt his eſtate; and Pheroras ſeem'd to bee none of thoſe, for he was a lewd perſon, a libertine that had married his maid for luſt, refuſing a Kings daughter, & all his thoughts were bent only upon pleaſure. It was by others judg'd that this was no ſufficient penance for Pheroras in ſuch a fault, and that this might increaſe the defiance between the Father and his Son. Now ſee the reaſon why Antipater, who had alwaies maintain'd his credit with Herod, taking hold on this occaſion, begins the battery more furiouſly then ever, and having obſerved ſome familiarity between Alexander, and the three Eunuchs, that were moſt entruſted with Herods chamber, he gave intelligence under hand, that Alexanders conſpiracie was all finiſht, & that the chiefeſt Eunuches about Herods chamber were his complices here in. They are forthwith attacht, & tortur'd. Their bodies grown effeminate with eaſe and delicacie, ſeeing thēſelves ſo rudely pincht, ſpake both what they knew, and what they knew not, and after all, they could not ſpeak any thing, but of the bravery and youthfull boaſtings that had ſlipt from Alexanders mouth, as theſe and the like; That theſe Eunuches were but fooles to adhere to an old dotard, who did colour his haire for to ſeem young, but it was bootles, his houre-glaſſe was run out, his time was paſt, & theirs was come: that the kingdome could not eſcape them, having juſtice, ſtrength, and good credit to their ſide, yea and ſo many ſonnes of Mars, men of ſteel, and valour, that would not faile them in time of need. Such ſpeeches they utter'd, but no ſuch as Antipater pretended, and they ſpake too much for a ſuſpicious head. It was a miſery to ſee this miſerable Court ſo much diſmembred, here was nothing to be heard or ſeen, but accuſations, defiances, diſtruſts and tortures. Every man lookt one upon the other, and thought he had no other way of ſecurity, but to prevent his companion. They depoſe each day many ridiculous and improbable things that took no effect. There were not found but one or two, that being preſt with the extremity of pain, and to rid themſelves out, ſaid that Alexander had given out in Rome, that his father was more inclin'd to the Parthians then to the Romans, and as they redoubled their torments in the favour of Antipater, they did even ſpeak what ever they would have them; as that Alexander and Ariſtobulus had conſpired to make away their father by poyſon, and then to goe to Rome to demand the Crown, which had no ſhew of probability; and as they were askt where was this poyſon? They added that it was in the Caſtle of Aſcalon. And diligent ſearch being made, there was no ſuch matter found: Nevertheleſſe Alexander is areſted; hee being of a generous temper, and much moved to ſee executioners ſo buſily imployed, ſpake with a lowd voice to Herod, by way of Irony, What needs all theſe butcheries? Since that you will needs be deceived, why I have conſpired againſt your life: And if you deſire to know with whom, it was with Pheroras, your brother and ſiſter Salome, with Ptolomie, Lapritius, and others of your Conncellers. Kill all the world and you may reigne alone in ſafety. Hee ſpoke too mueh to be believed, and ſpoke it with an accent, that ſpoke nothing leſſe. He is hereupon ſhut up in priſon for ſome daies, untill that Archelaus (King of Capadocia) his father in law, being advertis'd of this diſaſter, arrives at Herods Court. Hee makes with Herod no raſh encounter, charging him with too much credulity, and the like with a mild temper. This was not the courſe to deale with a man that deſir'd altogether to juſtifie his actions. The Capadocian with a mild temper ſtrikes ſayle, makes a ſhew of great pitty to ſee him in theſe troubles; ſaying, that his ſons did him great wrong to moleſt him in this wiſe, that he came thither not to excuſe his own ſon in law, but to puniſh his own daughter, if ſhe were faulty. Herod took ſuch comfort to heare him ſpeak in that manner, that the teares trill'd down his cheeks: And Archelaus ſeeing that hee found it fit ſeaſon for perſwaſion, begins by degrees to tell him, that intruth the young Princes ſhew'd ſomewhat too much ſtubbornneſſe, but their youth and gentleneſſe were abuſed, and it were well if this were lookt to. He acted his part ſo well that he at laſt diſpell'd the miſt of calumnie. And Glaphira ſeeing her ſelfe now upon the ſtage, did with good language, & her teares carry all ſhee would for her huſband, ſo that the poore priſoner was forthwith releaſed.

Herod began now to live like a Cyclops in his Cave, walking ſtill in the miſts, and darkneſſe of diſtruſtfull feares, and each moment upon the point to perpetrate freſh cruelties. And when they ſaw him to bee ſo much frighted with ſhadowes, Antipater did not faile to ſupply him with ſtuffe, and matter to feed his ſuſpitions, thereby to advance his own tortunes. There arrives an impoſtor, a Grecian to the Court of Iudea, nam'd Euricles, in the ſtate, and equipage of a Prince, and beſtowed many preſents on Herod, for to inſinuate to his favours. The unhappy King likes well of the man, and places him in the liſt, and number of his moſt intimate friends. Hee did Iodge with Antipater, and (ſeeing him predominant in Court) in all his actions hee ſtudied to win his favour, and liking aboue all, which he did abtain by converſing frequently, and familiarly with Alexander, and fetching the ſecrets of his heart, which hee would after report (true, or falſe) to the eares of Herod, who did give him much credit.

Three yeares being ſcarce paſt over, behold calumnie diſgorgeth the reſt of its venome: Two ſouldiers of Herods guard being caſheer'd for ſome light offence, were afterwards imprudently received into Alexanders houſe, who did favour them ſeeing they were men of goodly perſonages, and capable of good ſervice. Theſe are accus'd to have partakt in the conſpiracy, they are immediatly apprehended and put upon the rack; the violence of the to • ments forc't them to ſay that by the ſollicitation of Alexander and Ariſtobulus they had a deſigne upon the perſon of Herod for to kill him in hunting. At that very time the Governour of the Alexandrine Citadell (which was one of the ſtrongeſt piec • s of the Realme) is charged to have promiſed to betray it into the power of theſe young Princes which he did ſtifly renege.

But his ſon who had ſuffered ſome diſgrace by his father, ſteps out and ſaith the depoſition was true: then hee produc'd letters as from Alexander, which confirm'd it, which were thought notwithſtanding to have come from Secretary Diophantes, who made a trade of ſuch forgeries.

Herod required no farther proofes, he makes his two ſons to be laid hold on, and reſolves to deſtroy them. And indeed every man from that time forward held them but loſt men. While theſe things were in motion, Melas one of the Councellours of the King of Capadocia comes to Iudea to knowe where lay the knot and difficulty of the buſineſſe; hee findes the diſcord very much rankled & feſtred beyond his art and remedies. The wicked father convents his ſonne (calling him from priſon) before Melas, there to examine him, and to charge him with ſuch crimes as were depos'd againſt him. Alexā der asks where the deponēts were? It was anſwer'd they were now dead. H • e repli'd that this was wrong dealing to put them to death with a lye in their mouthes, which was extorted from them by force of torments, and to ſeale thē up for ever that they might not deliver the truth. As for him and his brother Aristobulus they had no other intention then to fly to Capadocia and thence to Rome for to deliver themſelves from the violent hands of their father. When Herod heard him ſpeak of the voiage to Capadocia, he deſires Melas to enquire particularly of Glaphira, if ſhe did not reveal more evidence touching this deſigne; who when ſhe law at firſt entry her huſband in bolts, it was a pittious thing to ſee how it afflicted her. O my deare husband, ſaith ſhe, are theſe the favours your father beſtowes on you! Is this the Diadem that he hath promiſed you? Grief that clogg'd her heart ſmothered the reſt. A ſpring of teares flowed from Alexanders eyes, who lov'd her moſt dearely, and all the company was ſo moved with this piteous ſpectacle, that thoſe who ſate there to examine them, lookt one upon another, and forgot the formality of juſtice. Herod demanded of Alexander if his wife were not, privy to all his ſecrets, he made anſwer, that for her deſerts and diſcretion he, never conceal'd ought from her. The poor Princeſſe was ſomewhat frighted at the ſpeech, yet ſpake very ſimply that ſhe was ignorant of all that was paſt as the child that was yet unborn: howbeit ſhe was very ready to tell a ly for to ſave her husband, and ſhee never uſed to diſavow any fault that her husband ſhould tax her with. Alexander being toucht to the quick with her pious intention tells her, Madam never wonder at it, you know well that I never had any other drift but to bring you to Capadocia to ſee the King your Father; loe that is all our offence. This did not cure Herod, but made his ſuſpition yet to extend towards King Archelaus, taking it ill that hee would have withdrawn his ſon without his leave, and knowledge: he ſends the priſoners back to their quarter, & in the mean while diſpatcheth new Embaſſadou • s to Rome for to juſtifie himſelfe of ſome falſe aſperſions caſt upon him, & to obtain frō Caeſar the liberty to diſpoſe of his Children according as juſtice would require, which was granted him. The young Princes were ſo exclaim'd upon & belied with ſuch ſtrange reports at Rome, that there was no man would adventure to undertake their defence. He being very glad of ſuch ſpecdy and ſucceſſefull audience (as he was a man ful of formalities, who did alwaies give his paſſions the gloſſe and tincture of juſtice. He calls a Councel for the arraigning of his ſonnes, admitting all thoſe that he ſaw, and knew to be ill inform'd, for to favour his intentions, & omitting others that might any way divert or hinder them; among others Archelaus, who was expreſſely named by Caeſar for to examine the cauſe. Morcover, which was horrible injuſtice, he would not have his ſonnes to appeare before the Iudges to heare what they could ſpeake in their owne defence, but he enters to the Court full gorg'd with gall and venome; he was never ſeene to change the Copy of his countenance ſo much as that time; his paſſions had all tranſſigur'd him in ſuch ſort, that hee ſpake ſuch words, and did ſuch actions as litle beſeem his gravity: his friends were miſtaken in him, and he ſeem'd to them to be a ſavage rather then a King: ſometimes hee did complaine and lament, ſometimes ſtood mute and ſtampt for anger; he produced ſome Letters of his ſonnes that carried nothing of weight but only their journey to Capadocia, and yet notwitſtanding, as if he gain'd ſome greatvictory, he cryes out, my Maſters, what ſay you to this? See you not this ungracious dealing! O that I had dyed before I had know and ſeen ſuch treachery! Then he ſaith he would referre all to the courſe of juſtice, that he would doe nothing through paſſion, and anon he proclaimes, that he had not called the Aſſembly for to paſſe a Iudgment, but to follow and ſubſcribe to his ſentence, that poſterity might with the more horror ſpeake of ſuch Parracides, then playing the Scribe or Theologer, he quotes Deuteronomy, where it is permitted to Fathers to ſtone their rebellious children to death, then he ſhewes Caeſars Letters, which with them carried more ſtrength then his Deuteronomy, and inſiſted ſo much upon them, as if the Delinquents had been formerly condemned by the ſentence of Auguſtus Caeſar. When they came to reckon the voices, Saturnine a Roman, one of Conſular dignity and great authority, diſwaded plainly this cruelty, telling him that hee was himſelfe a Father, and hee knew what it was to be ſuch a one, and that Herod would repent of his raſhneſſe: this good man had three of his ſonnes with him at that time, all gallant men and imployed in places of dignity and truſt, who did plead in favour of the young Princes, but all to no effect. After them ſtarts up one Volumnius a rude fellow, who was a prime man, and a leader of the factious file, which was impanell'd to ſerve Herod's purpoſes; theſe all with one accord paſt a ſē tence of death moſt unjuſtly: when this arreſt was divulg'd abroad, an old ſouldier of Herods guard named Tero, much moved with the newes, ſtreight goes to the pallace, and deſires to ſpeake with the King in private, which was permitted him: This good man taking him aſide uttered his tale ſo ſeriouſly, and withall ſo boldly, that he ſtuck not to ſay that he had loſt his wits, when hee would put to death the true heires for to ſet up a Viper, who in fine would gnaw his bowels when he thought himſelfe ſafeſt. Herod at firſt liſtned to him patiently; but when hee ran on to much on that ſtrain, he askt him who were thoſe that found fault with his proceedings? why that is I (ſaid the old man) & theſe and theſe perſons of quality, which he reckoned unto him. Herod ſends him to ſafe cuſtody, while he makes ſure of the reſt, whom he dooms all to die. Then cauſing his ſonnes to be brought all to the City of Sebaſt, hee diſpatcheth two of the moſt cruell Lictors that he had in his ſervice, for to ſtrangle them in priſon. The poor Princes, who expected nothing leſſe then ſuch a ſentence, ſeeing the dreadfull viſages of theſe hel-hounds, and the horrid ſhape of death before their eyes, grew pale and bloodleſſe with feare, and askt them what newes they brought? but they taking them apart like ſheepe aocounted for the ſlaughter, and ſhewing them the inſtrument of death, they plainly diſcover'd the reaſon of their comming; for without any more adoe they tooke them by the throats, & putting the fatall cords about, ſtrangled them by maine force without any mercy. Poore Glaphira, who did yet cheriſh a good hope of her husband's deſiverance, when ſhe was a preparing of new batteries to move her Father in law to mercy, ſhe heares at once the ſad ſtory of Alexander's death, and her owne widdow. hood: ſhe was for a good while in a ſwoune, and after recovery ſtood as mute as a ſtatue, then recollecting her ſpirits, and fetching a deepe and hearty ſigh, Alas quoth ſhe I never thought that Herod would proceed to this! Tell him his ſacrifice of cruelty is not yet compleat: Loe here one moyty of it yet ſurvives. Alexander, my deare Alexander, that liveſt eternally in my heart, muſt thou have ended thy candid innocent daies by ſuch an infamous executioner? Muſt thou have for thy hang-man one whom nature had given for thy Father? Thou ſhouldſt at leaſt have call'd for mee to receive the laſt breathing of thy departing ſoule, to receive thy laſt ſpeeches, & to lay them up in the Cabinet of my heart. Then turning to her two children that were by her ſide: Alas poor Orphans, your Father wil no more dandle you, and you muſt now begin your apprentiſhip of miſery in this tender age. The poore Lady did afflict her ſelfe extremely day and night, and being not able to live any longer in the Court of Iudea, no more then in a Lion's denne, ſhee was ſent back to Capadocia to the King her Father. Herod retained her two ſonnes under colour of bringing them up; but indeed for his greater ſafety, for feare that their name might ſerve for a pretence to ſome revolt.

O the providenceof the Almighty! Thou ſeemeſt too tardy in powring vengeance upon the heads of malefactors. Theſe young Princes the children of ſo vertuous a Mother, ſo well educated, & ſo compleat for all good parts, being declar'd heires apparent to the Crowne: Theſe Princes, who were ſeene (but five years before) to returne in triumph from Rome to Ieruſalem, like the two twin-ſtarres that gilded all Paleſtine with their reſplendent beames: Theſe Princes who promis'd ſo many Trophies, and ſo many wonders, behold them now in their verdant yeares, in the flowre of their hopes, at the gate of the Temple of honour, for a litle freeneſſe in language unmercifully maſſacred, and inſteed of a crowne upon their head, die with cords about their necks, ſtrangled by the hands of two of Herod's guard! Loe the goodly apprentiſhip, and eſſayes that Herod made three yeares before the birth of our Saviour for to prepare himſelfe for actions, yet more horrible and tragicall! It is ſaid of Sylla that if mercy her ſelfe were in humane fleſh upon the earth, hee would have ſlaine her; but Herod did what was worſe, after ſo many butcheries his thirſt of blood could not yet be ſatisfied, but imbrues his hands in the blood of 14000 Innocents, and ſeeks to deſtroy the Saviour of mankind, the Son of God himſelfe, as every man knows the ſtory out of holy Writ.

'Tis now time to ſee the guerdon of theſe diſtorted degenerous ſoules, that wee may obſerve the line or courſe of divine providence, which doth uſe to inflict ſome exemplary puniſhments here on earth on the wicked, and to give them a reliſh of thoſe eternall paines they ſhall endure in hell.

Deteſtable Antipater, who had contriv'd theſe miſchiefes, ſeeing the two heires of the Kingdome made away by his undermining wit, thought hee had already mounted halfe the degrees to the Throne: Hee continued in his quaint rogueries, and malicious pranks, ſtill lurking under the maske of piety, as one that had extreme care of the life and ſtate of his Father, ayming in the meane while at no other but then to make himſelfe ſhortly abſolute Lord: And fearing that Herod's affection toward him (which was ever wavering and changeable,) ſhould coole, he goes about every day to practiſe great intelligences to make his cards, and winne benevolence; but hee was hated of the people as a Tigre, and the ſouldiers that knew him guilty of his brethrens blood (who were ſo wel belov'd of the nobles) could never affect him.

The Commonalty above all were extremely touch't with compaſſion, paſſion, when ever the children of Alexander and Ariſtobulus (who were brought up in Herod's court) were led in the ſtreets. All the world beheld the poore Orphans with weeping eies, and with much anguiſh of ſoule call'd to mind the diſaſters of their Fathers. Antipater ſaw well that it was exp • dient for him to abſent himſelfe from the Court, both to extinguiſh envy, and that hee might not ſindge his wings by flickering too long about the candle, fearing that in time his Father (who was but too cunning in ſuch matters) would ſent him out and his projects. Yet not withſtanding hee was ſo cloſe, that hee would not openly begge leave of Herod for abſence, for feare hee ſhould engender ſuſpicion, but he got his friend at Rome (with whom hee dealt under hand) to write letters to his father in his behalfe, which effected all that he deſired, namely; that it was expedient for him to ſend him to Rome, for to breake and divert ſome enterpriſes of the Arabians on the Kingdome of Iudea. Herod having received theſe Letters, diſpatcheth him preſently, with a very goodly equipage; with great Preſents, and the Teſtament withall, whereby he was declared King after his fathers deceaſe. Loe fortune hath fill'd the ſayles of his deſires! But as the eye of the Almighty never ſleepes, and takes the crafty in their own imaginations, it hapned that Pheroras, who as we have related, acted his part in this bloody tragoedy, departed this world by a ſuddain death, and poyſon'd as it was thought by the maid which he had married.

Herod being intreated to goe over to his brothers houſe to make inquiſition of the fact, findes by good warrant and far beſides his thoughts, how that Antipater his ſon had ſent Pheroras (when he was in diſgrace and out of favour at Court) ſome poyſon for to make away his father then while he was at Rome, that ſo he might returne immediatly to Paleſtine with his temples girt with a Diadem. This was depos'd by a ſon of Antipaters farmer, whom hee had made overſeer of his eſtate during his abſence; which was ſeconded with ſuch pregnant & ſtrong preſumptions and evident circumſtances, that there was now nothing left to ſuſpend his beliefe. Herod asks where was this poyſon? The young man replied, it was with the window of his brother Pheroras ſhe being queſtioned concerning it got up to an upper roome, pretending to goe and fetch it, but being got up to the top of the houſe, in a deſperate manner ſhee caſts her ſelfe down headlong; but it pleaſed God that this fall proved not mortall according to her deſire. They did incourage her and made all promiſes of impunity, if ſhe would but freely confeſſe the truth: She confeſſeth that indeed her husband had a poyſon ſent from Antipater, and that hee was once minded for to doe the deed, but it repented him a litle before his death, & he deteſted ſuch wickedneſſe: & upon theſe words ſhee takes out the poyſon which they ſound to be moſt deadly, by making experiment upon condemn'd perſons. At that very time Eathillus a freeman of Antipaters was ſurpriſed, comming from Rome to Iudea, to adviſe Pheroras to haſten his deſigne, & bringing another poyſon, in caſe the former did not prove effectuall. In the mean time Antipater writes to his Father, that hee labour'd diligently at Rome to diſpell ſome cloudes of ſlander and to cleare his affaires, which hee hoped to bring about, and to return very ſhortly for Iudea. Herod who would have long ſince caught him in his clawes, ſends to him theſe lines;

Sonne, my declining age & the crazineſſe of my body doe every day inſtruct me that I am mortall, one thing comforts me that I have made choice of your perſon to ſucceed me in my Throne: I ſhall ſee my old age ſpring againe & flouriſh in your and my death to be ſmother'd (as it were) in your life, ſeeing that I ſhall liue in my other halfe, which is your deare ſelfe. I would you had continued ſtill neere my perſon, not only for the aſſiſtance your piety ſtill afforded me, but for the prejudice that might acrew to your fortune by your abſence: Faile not therefore with the good leave of Caeſar to render your ſelf here preſent with the beſt ſpeed you can; delay will not any way favour your affaires here. This bayt had charm enough to allure, and art enough to conceale the hook. Vpon theſe news, hee was ready to ride upon the wings of the winde to preſent himſelfe in Ieruſalem: He diſpatcheth his buſineſſe, takes leave of Augnſtus, & makes all expedition poſſible to ſhew the beheſts of his father. It was very ſtrange, that hee could never have any advertiſements by the way of what had paſſed, ſo odious was he to God and man! But being at Cilicia hee learnt that his mother was diſcarded and expell'd the Court, which did much affright him, and hee thought to beat his way back againe: But one of his Councell (perchance ſuborn'd by Herod) begins to tell him, that if there were nothing intended againſt him he needed not to feare, and if any ſlander was broacht of him, hee ought to make the more haſt to quaſh it, other wiſe his abſence would but cauſe further ſuſpicion. He ſwallowes the adviſe, and (not withſtanding ſome ſecret reluctancie, & remorſe of conſcience) he followes the road for I • dea. when hee was arrived at the haven of Sebaſte he began to 〈◊〉 into deeper apprehenſions of danger then ever; for having ſeen at this very Port not long before at his departure ſuch a throng of people tearing the ayre with their acclamatiōs, not for any love they owed to him, but to ſhew their obeiſance to Herod, who would have it ſo; but he now perceived that fortune had turn'd tail, he was receiv'd with a lowring countenance, & ſome did look upon him askue with a quarter face, & murmur'd between their teeth, as curſing him for that hee had ſpilt his brethrens bloud. He was engag'd too far on to make retrair, & Gods vengeance had already markt out his lodgings. He goes on from Sebaste ſtrait for Ieruſalem, and marches to the Pallace, ſumptuouſly apparelled, and with a numerous traine: the Gard made way for him to enter, but were commanded by the King to keep back all thoſe that attended him; hee was quite aſtoniſht to ſee himſelfe caught ſo like a bird in a net, nevertheleſſe he goes on his vvay, enters the hall vvhere his father ſtaid, expecting his approach, accompanied with Quintilius Varus lately ſent from Rome to bee Governour of Syria. When hee had made a moſt reverend ſubmiſſive congy, he drawes neere to kiſſe his father according to the manner of the Countrey, but he ſtraightvvaies heares the roaring of a Lion, for Herod dravving a ſtep backe cryes out, Stand aloofe Murtherer, it is not for you any more or any ſuch to receive the welcome kiſſes of a father: Behold there Q. Varus your Iudge, bethink your ſelfe by to morrow how to anſwer to ſuch crimes as you are charged with. He was thunderſtrooke with this ſpeech and withdrew himſelf out of the roome with paleneſſe in his face, and the horrour of his crime in his conſcience. In the next chamber he findes his mother and his wife all drencht in teares, who with lamenting eyes had already ſolemniz'd his funerall: ſuch an aſtoniſhment ſeiz'd upon him that hee had neither a tongue to comfort them, nor ſo much as teares to bewaile his own misfortunes. He paſt over all the night with much diſquiet of minde, finding now by experiment that it was eaſier for to commit a crime then excuſe it. The morrow being come, hee was call'd before the judgement ſeat, where hee found his father with Q. Varus & a good number of the Counſellers of ſtate. Vpon the very point, newes was brought of ſome letters of his mother that were intercepted, which did give him notice that all was diſcover'd, and that he ſhould beware to return and put himſelfe into the hands of his father, if hee would not fall into the jaws of a Lion. This was ſhewed him at his entrie into the Councell▪ Chamber, hee expected but the houre when he ſhould be ſtrangled, hee was already under the Strapadoes of his conſcience; therefore caſting himſelfe down on his knees, hee begs of his father that hee might not be condemn'd before he vvere heard: Herod replies, Varlet what haſt thou to ſay? Hath God reſerved thee to be the laſt ſcourge of my old age? Thou knoweſt I have taken thee from the bottome and lees of fortune for to place thee aboue thy brethren, both beyond and againſt all hopes. I have put all my treaſures, my revenues, my authority, my affection, my ſecrets, my heart, and my Crowne into thy hands by a teſtament ſcaled with mine own hand, and couldſt not thou expect till thy Fathers eyes were cloſed up by a naturall death, that thou mighteſt freely enjoy them? This was it that thy deſignes did then ayme •• when thou didſt ſo hotly purſue the death of thy brethren. I have done nothing in their araignment, but by thy denunciation, and advice. Accurſt wretch, I am afraid that thou haſt ſtain'd mee with their blood; thy crimes doth now giue light to their 〈◊〉 At theſe words hee wept bitterly, recalling to minde his Mar •••• , and unhappy children, hee fou •• his heart ſo oppreſt with ſorrow, that he was faine to entreat his Chancellour Nicholas Damaſcene to proceed. Antipater prevented him and ſpake in his own defence, That they did him great wrong to believe ſlaves, and women to his prejudice, that he had Caſars letters (whom he could no more deceive then God himſelfe) which gave ample teſtimony of his good abeare, and what content he gaue to all at Rome; that he was never wanting in his piety towards his Father; and it were a peece of extreme folly to thruſt himſelfe into uncertain dangers for a Crowne that he was certain of, and had in his own hands. Briefly, not to make a longer diſcourſe, that hee offered himſelfe to be uſed like a ſlave, and to bee ſet upon the rack to prove his innocence. And ſpeaking this he did rave, and ſtamp in a fearefull manner, inſomuch that he began to move all the bench to pitty and wonder. Nicholas Damaſcene being a ſtern and rough Iudge, takes him in hand, confronts him with witneſſes, canvaſſeth him, preſſeth, puzles, & quite confounds him, then diſchargeth a invective againſt him, exaggerating (like an Orator) all the circumſtances of his crime. Is it not (ſaith he) a brutiſh ſtupidity to conſpire againſt your Father, the bloud of your brethren being as yet before your eyes, and all the aſſurances of a Scepter in your hands. muſt a man needs be a Parricide for to bee poſſeſſour of a Crown which was bequeathed you by Teſtament ſo ſolemne and authentick? Did you expect any more then • hat your Fathers blood ſhould be the ſeal? and ſuch a father whoſe life is precious among all good men, and whoſe nature is ſo indulgent in favour of his children, deſerve they never ſo litle. An ingratitude able to make heaven to bluſh, and the earth to tremble under our feet, yea and worthy that all the elements ſhould conſpire to chaſtiſe it. The man ran on thus in fire and fury; powring out a torrent of words, while the wreteh Antipater with a dejected countenance pra • 'd God to work ſome miracle in his behalf for to manifeſt his innocence, ſeeing that he was mercileſly oppreſt by the malice of his adverſaries. It is ſtrange that a man who had no god in his life time, would now ſeek one at his death. This mā lived as though there were neither heaven nor Hell, and ſeeing him ſo neere the brink of death, he beſough a Daity to patronize his offence. Varus ſpeaks to him, my friend, expect not any extraordinary ſignes from heaven on your behalfe, but if you haue any ſpecious reaſon or Apologie produce it into evidence, the King your Father deſires nothing more then that you might quit your ſelfe nobly. Vpon this hee was confounded as a loſt man. Varus taking the poyſon which was brought to the judgement ſeat caus'd it to be giuen to a Malefactour that was ſentenced to death, who died immediatly in the place; whereupon all the aſſembly aroſe forth with, thereby giving manifeſt token of Antipater's condemnation. His Father now holding him for convict, demands of him who were his complices, he nam'd but Antiphilus

Philus only who had brought the poiſon, and ſaid that that Varlet had been the cauſe of his undoing. It wanted but litle, that Herod did not then preſently execute the ſentence of death; but according to his ordinary proceedings he reſolv'd to acquaint Caeſar therewith firſt, and to ſend him the proceſſe with full inſtructions of the examination, that ſo he might doe according to his good pleaſure. In the mean while Antipater is ſhut up in cloſe priſon, expecting each day (like a piacular victime) the fatall ſtroak.

Herod moreover had now about threeſcore and ten yeares upon his back, and by the feebleneſſe of his age perceived the ſignalls of deaths approch: This was a bit very tough to digeſt, never did any man love this life ſo well; hee had verily parted with his portion in the other world, that hee might enjoy this forever, for that, indeed he was ſuperlatively wicked. Towards his later daies hee grew ſo penſive and thenſo cholerick, and furious, that his domeſtick ſervāts knew not how to boord him. Hee was in his Court like an old Lion bound in the chaines of incurable diſeaſes: Hee perſwaded himſelfe, that hee was hated of all the world, and hee was not deceived in his opinion, for hee had given but too much occaſion.

The people burſt the yoke of duty and allegiance, and could no longer endure him. As ſoon as the rumour ran of his ſickneſſe, Iudes and Mathias, two of the moſt famous Doctors of the Iewiſh law, who had all the youth of Hieruſalem under their charge, inſtigated ſtigated ſome of the boldeſt of their ſect unto a vēturous attempt, as thus. Herod having reëdified & much beautified the Temple of Hieruſalem (as hee had alwaies ſhewed himſelfe for his own interreſts an Idolater of Caeſars fortune,) caus'd on the chiefeſt gate thereof to bee planted the Roman Eagle which glittered all in gold: This was a great eye-ſore to the Iews, who never could endure any ſhape of man or beaſt within their Temples: ſo much did they abhor theſe monſters which their fathers in Aegypt ador'd. Loe this was the reaſon why Iudas M • athias, who were as the principall men (thinking that Herods ſickneſſe favour'd their purpoſes) began to exhort in good earneſt the moſt valiant of the young men that frequented their houſes, to take in hand Gods quarrell according to the noble ſpirits of their anceſters and to batter down this abomination that was advanc'd upon the Temple: the danger was not now ſo great, Herod being cumbred with buſineſſes and diſeaſes, but if it ſhould happen that any ſhould looſe his life, to dye in ſo good & glorious an act was to dye triumphant, and Laurells would grow up out of their tombes. They faild not to ſpur up theſe younkers, & to ſet an edge on their courage, with many ſpecious and plauſible arguments. Loe a regiment of the moſt reſolute of them, goes forth at mid-day, arm'd with axes and hatchets, who ſcale the Temple & quaſh in pieces the Eagle in the ſight of all the world; Judas and Matthias being then preſent, and ſerving as trumpets to the ſedition. The noiſe arriv'd preſently at Court, the Captain of the Guard runs thither with a maniple of the hardieſt ſouldiers, hee was afraid of ſome greater matter towards, & that this demolition was but a velitation, or skirmiſh of a greater tumult. But at firſt onſet, when he began to charge, the people did retire, which did encourage him to fall on, and to follow cloſer: forty young men that were buſieſt were taken in the place, Iudas and Matthias bearing them company, thinking it a diſhonour to recoile, and that they ought to follow them at leaſt into danger, whom they at firſt had lead into miſchiefes. As they were preſented to Herod, and being askt whence proceeded that inſolent preſumption and raſhnes, they frankly anſwered that the buſineſſe had been conſulted of, & well diſcuſt among them, and if it were yet to be done, they were ready to put into execution: foraſmuch as they were more oblig'd to obey Moſes then Herod. Herod ſome what ſtartled with their reſolution, and fearing greater commotions, caus'd them ſecretly to be convey'd to Ierico, whether himſelf was carried, though weak and ſickly. Then aſſembling the chiefeſt of them, he ſpeaks to them from his couch, making a large narration of the good offices hee had done to that nation, of the Temple which he had built, the ornaments with which he did enrich in; adding that in few yeares he had done what their Haſſamonean Kings could not in 120, and in recompence of his piety they went at high-noon to violate with ſtrange inſolence a ſacred donative he beſtowed on the Temple, in the which God was more intereſſed then himſelfe, and therefore he did ſo much the more require a reaſon of this attempt.

Theſe men fearing to awake his anger, further did falſifie & clude the blow, and did transfer it all on their companions, abandoning them to the diſcretion of the king. Thereupon the Prieſt hood was taken away from Matthias, and another Matthias, who was held to be a ring-leader in the ſedition, was burnt alive with his companions that ſame night, at which time was ſeen an ecclipſe of the Moon, which made the ſpectacle yet more terrible. Herod ſome few daies after having tried, and ſpent in vain all humane remedies, was brought into a miſerable ſtate of ſickneſſe, which is pertinently deſcribed by Ioſephus and Enſebius. It was Gods pleaſure hee ſhould drink often and deep of the cup of his juſtice in this life, waſting his wretched body with tedious paines. therefore hee was ſmote from heaven, and was charged with a fierce ſquadron of incurable diſeaſes, he that frō his youth up did bu •• with a furious ambition, felt at his death a greedy fire feeding on his entralls: hee that all his lifetime, had an inſatiable thirſt of a maſſing treaſure (inſomuch that he digg'd up the tombes of David and Solomon for to ranſack the ſpoiles) was tormented with a Dog appetite; a horrible diſeaſe, and which modeſty feares to deſeribe, which made him cry out for hunger, eating day and night and could not be ſatisfied, hee that made ſo many voiages and performed ſo many atchievements to raiſe himſelfe aboue the levell of ordinary fortunes, ſaw then his feet ſwolen with redundant humours. He that practis'd ſo many • ortures in his life time, was now rackt with the violent and intolerable pangs of a Chollick: he that bereav'd ſo many men of their breath, did now draw breath with much difficulty and pain: He that held humane wiſdome and pollicie for the nerves and ſtrength of his eſtate, felt now in his body ſuch Cramps and Convulſions of Nerves and Sinewes, that hee was ſorely and pittifully ſhaken: Hee that had ſhed poore Mariamnes blood, murther'd her Sonnes for to make the Kids boile in the milk of the Damme, as the Scripture ſpeaks: Hee that had imbrued his hands in the bloud of about

14000 innocents with an intention to involve the Saviour of the world in that generall maſſacre died in his own bloud afflicted with a cruell diſſentry. He that had abuſed his member. with monſtrous luxurie was over-run and conſum'd with an army of Lice, accōpanied with an ignominious ſatiriaſme, a diſeaſe which I ſcarce dare name. And now, ſay the eye of providence is not awakt for the puniſhing of delinquents. This deſperate wretch at his death inſteed of adoring the juſtice of God and kiſſing the rod that gave him correction, thinks on now ſlaughters. Hee aſſembles by an edict the moſt principall of the lewes out of every Province unto Ierice, and having pounded thē within the cirque hee calls to him his Siſter Salome and her husband

Alexander, and addreſſeth his ſpeech unto them in this manner.

It grieves mee not at all to dye and to render that tribute to nature, which ſo many Kings before me have paid. But it troubles mee that my death wil not be ſo much bemoaned as I could wiſh, if you doe refrain your hands. Know then that for this purpoſe I have ſent for theſe Nobles of Irdea; As ſoone as ever death ſhall draw theſe Curtaines over mine eyes, let them all fall by the edge of the ſword, and let not my death be divulg'd before that the newes of theſe mens death arrive at each ones Country and kindred. By this meanes I hope to fill all Iudea with lamentation and woe, which will be muſick to my ſoule as her laſt departure. This pernicious fiendin thus ſpealing, be fought

Siſter with hot teares, by all that ſhe eſteemed in the world moſt precious & ſacred, & as ſhe hoped for Paradiſe, to perform his wil, and to give him content: ſhe muſt promiſe it with an oath at that very inſtant, though afterwards it was not at all put in execution.

In this ſole act hee ſhewed that he was not inform'd with a reaſonable ſoule, he was but a wolfe in mans skin and ſhape, and that the thirſt of humane bloud was now chang'd into his nature. As hee was making this goodly Teſtament, Letters were brought him from Caeſar which did acquaint him that one Acme a lewiſh Damſell, who was of the train of Livia the wife of Augustus, had beene convicted of bad intelligence with Antipater, and was therefore puniſht with death, as for his ſonnes hee referr'd them wholly to his own diſpoſall. This man at the point of death ſuckt revenge yet with wonderfull pleaſure. This newes was balme to his tortur'd carcaſe, he calls for an apple and a knife, thinking to pare it himſelfe, but thereupon his paines (that had given him but ſhort truce) aſſaild him with double force, ſo that he was quite weary of his life which he had ſo dearely lov'd. One of his grand children nam'd Achiabus, who at that time ſtood neere the bed, perceived that hee rolled his eyes furiouſly, and lookt as though he would have rid himſelf of his torments with the knife hee had in his hand, which did much affright the young Prince, who holding his arme as gently as hee could, hee beganne to cry out, as though his good father had yeelded up the Ghoſt, wherewith the whole Court was muſtered up. Antipater out of his priſon overheard the tumult, and ſuſpected that Herod was a dying, he did not yet deſpaire of the Crown, offering mountaines (as wee ſay) of gold to his Warder to let him eſcape.

But behold the judgement of God! the keeper of the priſon inſteed of all the ample rewards that were promiſed him, and which he might have enjoyed, he goes ſtrain way to the Father and relates to him how that. Antipater had urg'd him withall ſupplications & promiſes to let him looſe out of the priſon, that he might take poſſeſſion of the kingdome. Herod ra • ing and beating his head, cries out. what will the villain murther mee in my bed, I have yet life enough to take away his, then raiſing him ſelfe a litle upon the boulſter, and leaning upon his elbow, he cals to one of the Guard, goe you (quoth he) hence to the priſon & kill that parrici • e there, and let him be interred in the Caſtle of Hyrcanus with out any Rites, or ſolemnities of a funerall. This was inſtanrly executed, and ſuch was the end of this unhappy thing, who mov'd Earth and Hell for to mount his fathers throne, according as ſome Matherfaticians had foretold.

Five daies being exphed from the death of Antipater, Herod after he had declared Arche • aus for his Succed out in the Realme, contrary to 〈◊〉 determinatiō, whereby he had deſigned it for Antipater, after he had aſtorted to his two other Sonnes ſuch portions as hee thought good, and beqdeathed large Legacies to Auguſt us Caeſar he gave up his wretched ſoule in rage, and deſpaire, in the yeare of his life threeſcore and ten, and of his raigne 37. A man (ſaith loſephus) whoſe actions alwaies overrul'd the Lawes, land his paſſions them, who notwithſtanding all his proſperity was eſteem'd the moſt miſerable man in the world. Mark how this Author ſpeaks, who was a wiſe Stateſman to inſtruct humane pollicy, that there is neither wiſdome, nor greatneſſe, nor happineſſe where God is wanting. For to let paſſe 〈◊〉 eternall torments of the oth •• 〈◊〉 • hich this barbaro •• 〈◊◊〉 • nder the hand of 〈◊◊◊〉 . I am verily perſwad •• 〈◊〉 there is no Peſant, nor Hin •• (if he be not ſtupid) would change one day of his life for the thirty ſeven yeares of

Herods raigne, which hee paſt in continuall jealouſneſſe, troubleſome affaires, perilous voyages, ſiniſter miſtruſts, barbarous cruelties, and remorſe of conſcience, which is the harbenger, & preamble of Hell. Leaving more over behinde him a numerous, and unhappy Poſterity.

FINIS.