ity of her
birth, in return for his salutations, she gave a groan, and declared
evidently that she rather grieved than rejoiced at his success, and this
till Herod was disturbed at her, as affording him, not only marks of her
suspicion, but evident signs of her dissatisfaction. This much troubled
him, to see that this surprising hatred of his wife to him was not
concealed, but open; and he took this so ill, and yet was so unable to
bear it, on account of the fondness he had for her, that he could not
continue long in any one mind, but sometimes was angry at her, and
sometimes reconciled himself to her; but by always changing one
passion for another, he was still in great uncertainty, and thus was
he entangled between hatred and love, and was frequently disposed to
inflict punishment on her for her insolence towards him; but being
deeply in love with her in his soul, he was not able to get quit of this
woman. In short, as he would gladly have her punished, so was he afraid
lest, ere he were aware, he should, by putting her to death, bring a
heavier punishment upon himself at the same time.

3. When Herod's sister and mother perceived that he was in this temper
with regard to Mariamne they thought they had now got an excellent
opportunity to exercise their hatred against her and provoked Herod
to wrath by telling him, such long stories and calumnies about her,
as might at once excite his hatred and his jealousy. Now, though he
willingly enough heard their words, yet had not he courage enough to do
any thing to her as if he believed them; but still he became worse
and worse disposed to her, and these ill passions were more and more
inflamed on both sides, while she did not hide her disposition towards
him, and he turned his love to her into wrath against her. But when he
was just going to put this matter past all remedy, he heard the news
that Caesar was the victor in the war, and that Antony and Cleopatra
were both dead, and that he had conquered Egypt; whereupon he made
haste to go to meet Caesar, and left the affairs of his family in their
present state. However, Mariamne recommended Sohemus to him, as he was
setting out on his journey, and professed that she owed him thanks for
the care he had taken of her, and asked of the king for him a place in
the government; upon which an honorable employment was bestowed upon him
accordingly. Now when Herod was come into Egypt, he was introduced to
Caesar with great freedom, as a