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[202]
HOWEVER, when he came into his kingdom again, he found his house
all in disorder, and his wife Mariamne and her mother Alexandra very uneasy;
for as they supposed (what was easy to be supposed) that they were not
put into that fortress [Alexandrium] for the security of their persons,
but as into a garrison for their imprisonment, and that they had no power
over any thing, either of others or of their own affairs, they were very
uneasy; and Mariamne supposing that the king's love to her was but hypocritical,
and rather pretended (as advantageous to himself) than real, she looked
upon it as fallacious. She also was grieved that he would not allow her
any hopes of surviving him, if he should come to any harm himself. She
also recollected what commands he had formerly given to Joseph, insomuch
that she endeavored to please her keepers, and especially Sohemus, as well
apprized how all was in his power. And at the first Sohemus was faithful
to Herod, and neglected none of the things he had given him in charge;
but when the women, by kind words and liberal presents, had gained his
affections over to them, he was by degrees overcome, and at length discovered
to them all the king's injunctions, and this on that account principally,
that he did not so much as hope he would come back with the same authority
he had before; so that he thought he should both escape any danger from
him, mid supposed that he did hereby much gratify the women, who were likely
not to be overlooked in the settling of the government; nay, that they
would be able to make him abundant recompense, since they must either reign
themselves, or be very near to him that should reign. He had a further
ground of hope also, that though Herod should have all the success he could
wish for, and should return again, he could not contradict his wife in
what she desired, for he knew that the king's fondness for his wife was
inexpressible. These were the motives that drew Sohemus to discover what
injunctions had been given him. So Mariamne was greatly displeased to hear
that there was no end of the dangers she was under from Herod, and was
greatly uneasy at it, and wished that he might obtain no favors [from Caesar],
and esteemed it almost an insupportable task to live with him any longer;
and this she afterward openly declared, without concealing her resentment.
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