had intended to fly away; and that by the distress they
were in, their lives being now uncertain and tedious to them.

6. About this time there came an ambassador out of Cappadocia from
Archelaus, whose name was Melas; he was one of the principal rulers
under him. So Herod, being desirous to show Archelaus's ill-will to
him, called for Alexander, as he was in his bonds, and asked him again
concerning his fight, whether and how they had resolved to retire
Alexander replied, To Archclaus, who had promised to send them away to
Rome; but that they had no wicked nor mischievous designs against their
father, and that nothing of that nature which their adversaries had
charged upon them was true; and that their desire was, that he might
have examined Tyrannus and Jucundus more strictly, but that they had
been suddenly slain by the means of Antipater, who put his own friends
among the multitude [for that purpose].

7. When this was said, Herod commanded that both Alexander and Melas
should be carried to Glaphyra, Archelaus's daughter, and that she should
be asked, whether she did not know somewhat of Alexander's treacherous
designs against Herod? Now as soon as they were come to her, and she saw
Alexander in bonds, she beat her head, and in a great consternation gave
a deep and moving groan. The young man also fell into tears. This was
so miserable a spectacle to those present, that, for a great while, they
were not able to say or to do any thing; but at length Ptolemy, who was
ordered to bring Alexander, bid him say whether his wife was conscious
of his actions. He replied, "How is it possible that she, whom I love
better than my own soul, and by whom I have had children, should not
know what I do?" Upon which she cried out that she knew of no wicked
designs of his; but that yet, if her accusing herself falsely would tend
to his preservation, she would confess it all. Alexander replied, "There
is no such wickedness as those [who ought the least of all so to do]
suspect, which either I have imagined, or thou knowest of, but this
only, that we had resolved to retire to Archelaus, and from thence
to Rome." Which she also confessed. Upon which Herod, supposing that
Archelaus's ill-will to him was fully proved, sent a letter by Olympus
and Volumnius; and bid them, as they sailed by, to touch at Eleusa
of Cilicia, and give Archelaus the letter. And that when they had
ex-postulated with him, that he had a hand in his son's treacherou