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[498]
NOW as to Alexander, since he perceived it impossible to persuade
his father [that he was innocent], he resolved to meet his calamities,
how severe soever they were; so he composed four books against his enemies,
and confessed that he had been in a plot; but declared withal that the
greatest part [of the courtiers] were in a plot with him, and chiefly Pheroras
and Salome; nay, that Salome once came and forced him to lie with her in
the night time, whether he would or no. These books were put into Herod's
hands, and made a great clamor against the men in power. And now it was
that Archelaus came hastily into Judea, as being affrighted for his son-in-law
and his daughter; and he came as a proper assistant, and in a very prudent
manner, and by a stratagem he obliged the king not to execute what he had
threatened; for when he was come to him, he cried out, "Where in the
world is this wretched son-in-law of mine? Where shall I see the head of
him which contrived to murder his father, which I will tear to pieces with
my own hands? I will do the same also to my daughter, who hath such a fine
husband; for although she be not a partner in the plot, yet, by being the
wife of such a creature, she is polluted. And I cannot but admire at thy
patience, against whom this plot is laid, if Alexander be still alive;
for as I came with what haste I could from Cappadocia, I expected to find
him put to death for his crimes long ago; but still, in order to make an
examination with thee about my daughter, whom, out of regard to thee and
by dignity, I had espoused to him in marriage; but now we must take counsel
about them both; and if thy paternal affection be so great, that thou canst
not punish thy son, who hath plotted against thee, let us change our right
hands, and let us succeed one to the other in expressing our rage upon
this occasion."
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