Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/35

Rh the road, with whom they had skirmishes; but her party always overcame.

this king, who had a bloody and turbulent reign, was near death, Alexandra came weeping to him, lamenting the situation of herself and children, exposed, unprotected, to the hatred of the people, who bore so much ill-will towards him. He counselled her to keep his death secret, till she had secured the fortress; and, then to go to Jerusalem in triumph, as it were upon a victory; to pay court to the Pharisees, his bitter enemies, who had so much influence over the people, and whom he acknowledged he had injured; and, promise to undertake nothing without their advice. He advised her, also, to render up his body to them, either to be treated with indignity, or otherwise, as they should think fit: in which case, he assured her he should obtain a more glorious sepulture than she could give him; and herself, to whom he left the government, and children, would be happy and secure.

Alexandra pursued this counsel, and all succeeded as he had foretold. She had ever appeared averse to the severities of her husband, and therefore easily obtained favour with the people. Her eldest son, Hyrcanus, was inactive, and little formed for reigning; him she made high-priest: but the Pharisees, under her, had all the power of the state; and sometimes urged her to revenge them upon the advisers of her late husband, who, on their part, thought themselves aggrieved at the little favour shown them. Her younger son,