owing to his absence, which durst not have been done had he been
present. And they said it was absurd to deprive himself of certain
happiness, for the sake of an uncertain suspicion, and not rather to
return to his father, and take the royal authority upon him, which was
in a state of fluctuation on his account only. Antipater complied with
this last advice, for Providence hurried him on [to his destruction]. So
he passed over the sea, and landed at Sebastus, the haven of Cesarea.

4. And here he found a perfect and unexpected solitude, while ever body
avoided him, and nobody durst come at him; for he was equally hated by
all men; and now that hatred had liberty to show itself, and the dread
men were in at the king's anger made men keep from him; for the whole
city [of Jerusalem] was filled with the rumors about Antipater, and
Antipater himself was the only person who was ignorant of them; for as
no man was dismissed more magnificently when he began his voyage to Rome
so was no man now received back with greater ignominy. And indeed he
began already to suspect what misfortunes there were in Herod's family;
yet did he cunningly conceal his suspicion; and while he was inwardly
ready to die for fear, he put on a forced boldness of countenance. Nor
could he now fly any whither, nor had he any way of emerging out of the
difficulties which encompassed him; nor indeed had he even there any
certain intelligence of the affairs of the royal family, by reason
of the threats the king had given out: yet had he some small hopes
of better tidings; for perhaps nothing had been discovered; or if any
discovery had been made, perhaps he should be able to clear himself by
impudence and artful tricks, which were the only things he relied upon
for his deliverance.

5. And with these hopes did he screen himself, till he came to the
palace, without any friends with him; for these were affronted, and shut
out at the first gate. Now Varus, the president of Syria, happened to
be in the palace [at this juncture]; so Antipater went in to his father,
and, putting on a bold face, he came near to salute him. But Herod
Stretched out his hands, and turned his head away from him, and cried
out, "Even this is an indication of a parricide, to be desirous to
get me into his arms, when he is under such heinous accusations. God
confound thee, thou vile wretch; do not thou touch me, till thou hast
cleared thyself of these crimes that are charged upon thee. I a