ther the generosity of his soul, and his
great moderation, that made him forgive them. However, he fully proposed
to himself to put this young man out of the way, by one means or other;
but he thought he might in probability be better concealed in doing
it, if he did it not presently, nor immediately after what had lately
happened.

3. And now, upon the approach of the feast of tabernacles, which is a
festival very much observed among us, he let those days pass over, and
both he and the rest of the people were therein very merry; yet did the
envy which at this time arose in him cause him to make haste to do what
he was about, and provoke him to it; for when this youth Aristobulus,
who was now in the seventeenth year of his age, went up to the altar,
according to the law, to offer the sacrifices, and this with the
ornaments of his high priesthood, and when he performed the sacred
offices, [5] he seemed to be exceedingly comely, and taller than men
usually were at that age, and to exhibit in his countenance a great
deal of that high family he was sprung from,--a warm zeal and affection
towards him appeared among the people, and the memory of the actions
of his grandfather Aristobulus was fresh in their minds; and their
affections got so far the mastery of them, that they could not forbear
to show their inclinations to him. They at once rejoiced and were
confounded, and mingled with good wishes their joyful acclamations
which they made to him, till the good-will of the multitude was made too
evident; and they more rashly proclaimed the happiness they had received
from his family than was fit under a monarchy to have done. Upon all
this, Herod resolved to complete what he had intended against the
young man. When therefore the festival was over, and he was feasting at
Jericho [6] with Alexandra, who entertained them there, he was then very
pleasant with the young man, and drew him into a lonely place, and at
the same time played with him in a juvenile and ludicrous manner. Now
the nature of that place was hotter than ordinary; so they went out in
a body, and of a sudden, and in a vein of madness; and as they stood
by the fish-ponds, of which there were large ones about the house, they
went to cool themselves [by bathing], because it was in the midst of
a hot day. At first they were only spectators of Herod's servants and
acquaintance as they were swimming; but after a while, the young man, at
the instigation of Herod, went i