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burying many ornaments together with him； till the very women；
who were in such deep sorrow； were astonished at it； and received
in this way some consolation。
5。 However； no such things could overcome Alexandra's grief； but
the remembrance of this miserable case made her sorrow； both deep
and obstinate。 Accordingly； she wrote an account of this
treacherous scene to Cleopatra； and how her son was murdered； but
Cleopatra； as she had formerly been desirous to give her what
satisfaction she could； and commiserating Alexandra's
misfortunes； made the case her own； and would not let Antony be
quiet； but excited him to punish the child's murder； for that it
was an unworthy thing that Herod； who had been by him made king
of a kingdom that no way belonged to him； should be guilty of
such horrid crimes against those that were of the royal blood in
reality。 Antony was persuaded by these arguments； and when he
came to Laodicea； he sent and commanded Herod to come and make
his defense； as to what he had done to Aristobulus； for that such
a treacherous design was not well done； if he had any hand in it。
Herod was now in fear； both of the accusation； and of Cleopatra's
ill…will to him； which was such that she was ever endeavoring to
make Antony hate him。 He therefore determined to obey his
summons； for he had no possible way to avoid it。 So he left his
uncle Joseph procurator for his government； and for the public
affairs； and gave him a private charge； that if Antony should
kill him； he also should kill Mariamne immediately； for that he
had a tender affection for this his wife； and was afraid of the
injury that should be offered him； if； after his death； she； for
her beauty； should be engaged to some other man： but his
intimation was nothing but this at the bottom； that Antony had
fallen in love with her； when he had formerly heard somewhat of
her beauty。 So when Herod had given Joseph this charge； and had
indeed no sure hopes of escaping with his life； he went away to
Antony。
6。 But as Joseph was administering the public affairs of the
kingdom； and for that reason was very frequently with Mariamne；
both because his business required it； and because of the
respects he ought to pay to the queen； he frequently let himself
into discourses about Herod's kindness； and great affection
towards her； and when the women； especially Alexandra； used to
turn his discourses into feminine raillery； Joseph was so
over…desirous to demonstrate the kings inclinations； that he
proceeded so far as to mention the charge he had received； and
thence drew his demonstration； that Herod was not able to live
without her； and that if he should come to any ill end； he could
not endure a separation from her； even after he was dead。 Thus
spake Joseph。 But the women； as was natural； did not take this to
be an instance of Herod's strong affection for them； but of his
severe usage of them； that they could not escape destruction； nor
a tyrannical death； even when he was dead himself。 And this
saying ＇of Joseph＇ was a foundation for the women's severe
suspicions about him afterwards。
7。 At this time a report went about the city Jerusalem among
Herod's enemies； that Antony had tortured Herod； and put him to
death。 This report； as is natural； disturbed those that were
about the palace； but chiefly the women； upon which Alexandra
endeavored to persuade Joseph to go out of the palace； and fly
away with them to the ensigns of the Roman legion； which then lay
encamped about the city； as a guard to the kingdom； under the
command of Julius； for that by this means； if any disturbance
should happen about the palace； they should be in greater
security； as having the Romans favorable to them； and that
besides； they hoped to obtain the highest authority； if Antony
did but once see Mariamne； by whose means they should recover the
kingdom； and want nothing which was reasonable for them to hope
for； because of their royal extraction。
8。 But as they were in the midst of these deliberations； letters
were brought from Herod about all his affairs； and proved
contrary to the report； and of what they before expected； for
when he was come to Antony； he soon recovered his interest with
him； by the presents he made him； which he had brought with him
from Jerusalem； and he soon induced him； upon discoursing with
him； to leave off his indignation at him； so that Cleopatra's
persuasions had less force than the arguments and presents he
brought to regain his friendship； for Antony said that it was not
good to require an account of a king； as to the affairs of his
government； for at this rate he could be no king at all； but that
those who had given him that authority ought to permit him to
make use of it。 He also said the same things to Cleopatra； that
it would be best for her not busily to meddle with the acts of
the king's government。 Herod wrote an account of these things；
and enlarged upon the other honors which he had received from
Antony； how he sat by him at his hearing causes； and took his
diet with him every day； and that he enjoyed those favors from
him； notwithstanding the reproaches that Cleopatra so severely
laid against him； who having a great desire of his country； and
earnestly entreating Antony that the kingdom might be given to
her； labored with her utmost diligence to have him out of the
way； but that he still found Antony just to him； and had no
longer any apprehensions of hard treatment from him； and that he
was soon upon his return； with a firmer additional assurance of
his favor to him； in his reigning and managing public affairs；
and that there was no longer any hope for Cleopatra's covetous
temper； since Antony had given her Celesyria instead of what she
had desired； by which means he had at once pacified her； and got
clear of the entreaties which she made him to have Judea bestowed
upon her。
9。 When these letters were brought； the women left off their
attempt for flying to the Romans； which they thought of while
Herod was supposed to be dead； yet was not that purpose of theirs
a secret； but when the king had conducted Antony on his way
against the Partnians； he returned to Judea； when both his sister
Salome and his mother informed him of Alexandra's intentions。
Salome also added somewhat further against Joseph； though it was
no more than a calumny； that he had often had criminal
conversation with Mariamne。 The reason of her saying so was this；
that she for a long time bare her ill…will； for when they had
differences with one another； Mariamne took great freedoms； and
reproached the rest for the meanness of their birth。 But Herod；
whose affection to Mariamne was always very warm； was presently
disturbed at this； and could not bear the torments of jealousy；
but was still restrained from doing any rash thing to her by the
love he had for her； yet did his vehement affection and jealousy
together make him ask Mariamne by herself about this matter of
Joseph； but she denied it upon her oath； and said all that an
innocent woman could possibly say in her own defense； so that by
little and little the king was prevailed upon to drop the
suspicion； and left off his anger at