But without even mentioning it or being able to show it, for this payment does not exist<hr>
it constitutes a strong and convincing indication of his lie. Indeed, money can motivate mercenaries and weak souls to commit vile acts, while notable and admirable individuals draw their motivation from their dreams and hopes. Mercenaries must be enticed by the sight of a definite reward, otherwise such a person is of no use. And too many examples from your reign should have taught you what I say. True it is that it can be shown that I and mine have had no association with this man, the same doesn’t hold for Salome, your sister and my enemy. My wives for a long time have warned me that against custom and good behavior in force today, he often visited her, even in his private office. Yet, as I had never been able to stoop to pay attention to such things and due to my excess of kindness, I do not suspect others easily, I listened to these rumors without giving them credit. But if you wish to oblige them to summarize the numerous conversations they had together, I assure you that you will not find detailed responses. And then, where would I have gotten the poison from? Who would have prepared it? Where would I have sourced it? And why, if I had this intent, would I have needed to involve this man? Was it not easier, during the multiple encounters where we ate together, to poison you with my own hand, without relying on anyone? Why would I not have tried this upon your return from Laodicea, just as it is alleged that I did after your return from Rhodes, since Joseph had by then revealed your cruel intentions? In summary, Herod, all these things are implausible, and even the least intelligent mind can see that if I were not from the kings of Judea, if I were not temperate, I wouldn't have all these enemies. But I must be surrounded by my enemies, for if I were not fated to be in danger, I would not have sent my portrait to Anthony, I would not have conspired with Joseph, I would not have sought to harm you, and my own safety thus would be guaranteed. But because she is of too prestigious descent and her soul is too pure to tolerate the schemes and cowardice of her enemies, Mariamne must die, she must perish, and she ought to be sacrificed for the hatred of her persecutors. They want it this way, and I have resigned to it.<hr>
Do not think then, unjust and cruel Herod, that I speak with the intention to make you soft. I am seeking to preserve my reputation and not to touch your heart. For, as I said at the beginning of my speech, neither the fear of death nor the desire for life are making me speak today. The former would only lose me my crown, and the latter would just bring me tortures. It's not because I hope to escape the danger in which i am that I have decided to justify myself. I know that my death warrant is signed, that my executioners are ready to sever my head, and that my grave is already open to receive me. But what has pushed me to act thus is that everyone listening to me may inform the world that even my enemies couldn't, despite all their schemes, tarnish my integrity nor find a plausible pretext to condemn me.<hr>
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