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[540]
So the king got up, and inveighed against his sons, as if they were
present; and as for that part of the accusation that they had plotted against
him, he urged it but faintly, because he was destitute of proofs; but he
insisted before the assessors on the reproaches, and jests, and injurious
carriage, and ten thousand the like offenses against him, which were heavier
than death itself; and when nobody contradicted him, he moved them to pity
his case, as though he had been condemned himself, now he had gained a
bitter victory against his sons. So he asked every one's sentence, which
sentence was first of all given by Saturninus, and was this: That he condemned
the young men, but not to death; for that it was not fit for him, who had
three sons of his own now present, to give his vote for the destruction
of the sons of another. The two lieutenants also gave the like vote; some
others there were also who followed their example; but Volumnius began
to vote on the more melancholy side, and all those that came after him
condemned the young men to die, some out of flattery, and some out of hatred
to Herod; but none out of indignation at their crimes. And now all Syria
and Judea was in great expectation, and waited for the last act of this
tragedy; yet did nobody, suppose that Herod would be so barbarous as to
murder his children: however, he carried them away to Tyre, and thence
sailed to Cesarea, and deliberated with himself what sort of death the
young men should suffer.
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