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 froÌ„ his youth up did buâ—â— 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 â—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 accoÌ„panied 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 theÌ„ 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 over-heard 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 raâ—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 parriciâ—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 Archeâ—aus for his Succed out in the Realme contrary to 〈◊〉 determinatioÌ„ 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 over-rul'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 othâ—◠〈◊〉 â—hich this barbaroâ—◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—nder the hand of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am verily perswadâ—◠〈◊〉 there is no Pesant nor Hinâ—â— 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
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 Iâ—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 acclamatioÌ„s 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 â—â— 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 Marâ—â—â—â— and unhappy children hee fouâ—â— 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 â—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 praâ—'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 maÌ„ 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 servaÌ„ts 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 veÌ„turous 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 Mâ—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
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 Loâ— all the thornes in his way as he thinks now grub'd up There now remained of the Illustrious race of the Hâ—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 coÌ„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
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
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
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 dâ—d ever uâ—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 Uâ—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 Paâ—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 â—hat he knew nothing but what Salome who was there present had