Note O — POEMS. (continued 2)

It may perhaps, to some, appear incongruous thus to mingle Heathen musicians among the Hebrews; but it is believed the incongruity will disappear on a moment's reflection upon the history and character of Herod the Great. His expeditions to Rome, Greece, and Syria, &c., were frequent, and he was not scrupulous in the introduction of games, sports, and gorgeous customs of the oriental nations, to heighten the effect of his own pageants. He built and rebuilt divers Heathen temples, and among them the Temple of Apollo, in Greece. Some historians deny that he was a Jew; but say that he was originally the guardian of the Temple of Apollo at Askalon, who, having been taken prisoner among the Idumeans, afterwards turned Jew.