[467]
BUT now the quarrel that was between them still accompanied these
brethren when they parted, and the suspicions they had one of the other
grew worse. Alexander and Aristobulus were much grieved that the privilege
of the first-born was confirmed to Antipater; as was Antipater very angry
at his brethren that they were to succeed him. But then this last being
of a disposition that was mutable and politic, he knew how to hold his
tongue, and used a great deal of cunning, and thereby concealed the hatred
he bore to them; while the former, depending on the nobility of their births,
had every thing upon their tongues which was in their minds. Many also
there were who provoked them further, and many of their [seeming] friends
insinuated themselves into their acquaintance, to spy out what they did.
Now every thing that was said by Alexander was presently brought to Antipater,
and from Antipater it was brought to Herod with additions. Nor could the
young man say any thing in the simplicity of his heart, without giving
offense, but what he said was still turned to calumny against him. And
if he had been at any time a little free in his conversation, great imputations
were forged from the smallest occasions. Antipater also was perpetually
setting some to provoke him to speak, that the lies he raised of him might
seem to have some foundation of truth; and if, among the many stories that
were given out, but one of them could be proved true, that was supposed
to imply the rest to be true also. And as to Antipater's friends, they
were all either naturally so cautious in speaking, or had been so far bribed
to conceal their thoughts, that nothing of these grand secrets got abroad
by their means. Nor should one be mistaken if he called the life of Antipater
a mystery of wickedness; for he either corrupted Alexander's acquaintance
with money, or got into their favor by flatteries; by which two means he
gained all his designs, and brought them to betray their master, and to
steal away, and reveal what he either did or said. Thus did he act a part
very cunningly in all points, and wrought himself a passage by his calumnies
with the greatest shrewdness; while he put on a face as if he were a kind
brother to Alexander and Aristobulus, but suborned other men to inform
of what they did to Herod. And when any thing was told against Alexander,
he would come in, and pretend [to be of his side], and would begin to contradict
what was said; but would afterward contrive matters so privately, that
the king should have an indignation at him. His general aim was this, -
to lay a plot, and to make it believed that Alexander lay in wait to kill
his father; for nothing afforded so great a confirmation to these calumnies
as did Antipater's apologies for him.
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