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 t is 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 't is 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
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
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
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 'T is 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 'T was 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 passioÌ„ 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 theÌ„ 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 â—â—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 ambitioÌ„ 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 renoâ—â—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
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
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
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
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