not give away my kingdom to these my sons, but give
them royal honors only; whereby it will come to pass that they will
enjoy the sweet parts of government as rulers themselves, but that the
burden of administration will rest upon myself whether I will or not.
And let every one consider what age I am of, how I have conducted my
life, and what piety I have exercised; for my age is not so great that
men may soon expect the end of my life; nor have I indulged such a
luxurious way of living as cuts men off when they are young; and we
have been so religious towards God, that we [have reason to hope we] may
arrive at a very great age. But for such as cultivate a friendship with
my sons, so as to aim at my destruction, they shall be punished by me
on their account. I am not one who envy my own children, and therefore
forbid men to pay them great respect; but I know that such [extravagant]
respects are the way to make them insolent. And if every one that comes
near them does but revolve this in his mind, that if he prove a good
man, he shall receive a reward from me, but that if he prove seditious,
his ill-intended complaisance shall get him nothing from him to whom it
is shown, I suppose they will all be of my side, that is, of my sons'
side; for it will be for their advantage that I reign, and that I be
at concord with them. But do you, O my good children, reflect upon
the holiness of nature itself, by whose means natural affection is
preserved, even among wild beasts; in the next place, reflect upon
Caesar, who hath made this reconciliation among us; and in the third
place, reflect upon me, who entreat you to do what I have power to
command you,--continue brethren. I give you royal garments, and royal
honors; and I pray to God to preserve what I have determined, in case
you be at concord one with another." When the king had thus spoken, and
had saluted every one of his sons after an obliging manner, he dismissed
the multitude; some of which gave their assent to what he had said, and
wished it might take effect accordingly; but for those who wished for a
change of affairs, they pretended they did not so much as hear what he
said.

CHAPTER 24.

The Malice Of Antipater And Doris. Alexander Is Very Uneasy
On Glaphyras Account. Herod Pardons Pheroras, Whom He
Suspected, And Salome Whom He Knew To Make Mischief Among
Them. Herod's Eunuchs Are Tortured And Alexander Is Bound.

1. But now the quarrel that