3 Maccabees 5:21LXX

19Hermon explained that he had done his bidding over night; and in this he was confirmed by his friends.

20The king, then, with a barbarity exceeding that of Phalaris, said, That they might thank his sleep of that day. Lose no time, and get ready the elephants against to-morrow, as you did before, for the destruction of these accursed Jews.

21When the king said this, the company present were glad, and approved; and then each man went to his own home.

22Nor did they employ the night in sleep, so much as in contriving cruel mockeries for those deemed miserable.

23The morning cock had just crowed, and Hermon, having harnessed the brutes, was stimulating them in the great colonnade.