University of Virginia Library

The Argument.

Herod the sonne of Antipater (an Idumean,) hauing crept by the fauor of the Romanes, into the Iewish Monarchie, married Mariam the daughter of Hircanus, the rightfull King and Priest, and for her (besides her high blood, being of singular beautie) hee reputiated Doris, his former Wife, by whome hee had Children.

This Mariam had a Brother called Aristobolus, and next him and Hircanus his Graund-father, Herod, in his Wiues right had the best rule. Therefore to remooue them, he charged the first with treason: and put him to death; and drowned the second vnder colour of sport. Alexandra, Daughter to the one, and Mother to the other, accused him for their deaths before Anthony.

So when hee was forc'te to goe answere this Accusation at Rome, he left the custodie of his wife to Iosephus his Vncle, that had married his Sister Salome, and out of a violent affection (vnwilling any should enioy her after him) hee gaue strict and priuate commaundement, that if hee were slaine, shee should be put to death. But he returned with much honour, yet found his Wife extreamely discontented, to whom Iosephus had (meaning it for the best, to proue Herod loued her) reuealed his charge.

So by Salomes accusation hee put Iosephus to death, but was reconciled to Mariam, who still bare the death of her Friends exceeding hardly.

In this meane time Herod was againe necessarily to reuisite Rome, for Cæsar hauing ouerthrowne Anthony his

great friend, was likely to make an alteration of his Fortune.

In his absence, newes came to Ierusalem that Cæsar had put him to death, their willingnes it should be so, together with the likelyhood, gaue this Rumor so good credit, as Sohemus that had suceeded Iosephus charge, succeeded him likewise in reuealing it. So at Herods returne which was speedy and vnexpected, he found Mariam so farre from ioye, that she shewed apparant signes of sorrow. Hee still desiring to winne her to a better humour, she being very vnable to conceale her passion, fell to vpbraiding him with her Brothers death. As they were thus debating, came in a fellow with a Cuppe of Wine, who hired by Salome, saide first, it was a Loue potion, which Mariam desired to deliuer to the King: but afterwards he affirmed that it was a poyson, and that Sohemus had tolde her somewhat, which procured the vehement hate in her.

The King hearing this, more moued with Iealousie of Sohemus, then with this intent of poyson, sent her away, and presently after by the instigation of Salome, she was beheaded. Which rashnes was afterward punished in him, with an intollerable and almost Frantike passion for her death.