After all, if it was during the time when you did everything for him, even sending him all of your jewels and<hr>
opposing the Roman Empire in his favor, I would have been unwise in my choice and it was<hr>
impossible for me not to believe that Antony, who boasted generosity, would betray a man to whom he was<hr>
so indebted for a person he had never met. And if this is since you two parted ways, because of the machinations of Cleopatra, this accusation is even less credible. <hr>
It would have been very imprudent for me to arm my own enemy, because at that time,<hr>
your interests were still mine. And what credibility would this gesture have had? At a time when<hr>
the whole world was filled with the love of Antony and Cleopatra, would I have sent my portrait to Antony? Did Rome possesses an antidote to cure him of the Egyptian's charms? Does the Empire need this remedy or did I simply want to expose myself to the pride of this wretched princess, whose jealousy would undoubtedly have erupted openly? <hr>
No, Herod, none of that has happened. Mariamne's innocence is so great that even her enemies cannot attribute real crimes to her. And you know that what people call my beauty has never made me vain. I have always been more concerned with deserving than being beautiful. Nevertheless, I don't deny the existence of a portrait of Mariamne, which has circulated among all the princes of the earth, and may be preserved for a long time. <hr>
       Yes, Herod, there is an ethereal image of Mariamne circulating around the world, gaining innocent conquests, and without her consent, drawing you secret enemies. <hr>
Her noble birth, her morals, her patience, and your cruelty are the only colors used in this portrait, and the blood that will flow from my body will undoubtedly make it admirable for posterity. However, in response to the second charge against me, even though it is false and has not altered my tone despite my embarrassment to discuss such a thing, I would also say that, thanks to heaven, I have no other accuser than you. But you were in Laodicea at the time this crime was allegedly committed, and therefore cannot testify about my actions. I am very confident that your eyes and ears have nothing against my innocence. And although your court consists exclusively of your slaves or my enemies, I am certain that even your sister Salome, who hates me out of jealousy and state interest, and who carefully observes every word and action of mine, would not dare to say she has heard a single word or noticed a single one of my glances that could question Mariamne's modesty. It is not that I don't know that your sister can tell a lie, but what gives me this audacity is that I know I am more cautious than she is malicious. And yet, it is enough to open one's eyes to see that the charges against me are a pretext to lose me. You accuse me of having had an affair with Joseph. Even if I had been capable of such a crime, would I have chosen the husband of Salome, my worst enemy and confidante of Herod? She conspired to commit all the ill-deeds, she was Mariamne's jailer. Yet, you dare claim that she should have killed me in obedience to your orders. Heaven, how could I believe in such love? 
<hr>
<hr>
<hr>
                                                    16<hr>