4. Messalina 54_78 (primer)

** Space bar; then repeat the Latin, then say the translation**

Messalina, non amore in maritum,

Messalina, not from love to her husband,

sed verita ne Silius sperneret se ,

but fearing lest Silius might cast aside herself,

adeptus summa

< once> having obtained the heights < of power> diu haesitavit; sed tandem persuasum .

for a long time hesitated; but at last it was persuaded < to her>. enim concupivit nomen matrimonii

For she desired the name of marriage

ob magnitudinem infamiae;

on account of the greatness of her ill-repute;

nec morata ultra quam

and not having delayed longer than

dum gratia sacrificii Claudius proficisceretur Ostiam ,

until for the purpose of sacrifice Claudius should set out for Ostia,

celebrat cuncta sollemnia nuptiarum .

she celebrates all the ceremonies of marriage.

Igitur domus principis inhorruit ,

Therefore the household of the emperor was appalled,

que maxime ei qui habebant potentiam

and in particular those who had influence

timuerunt ne res verterentur;

feared lest things should be changed;

tamen habebant spem ,

however they had hope,

si persuasissent Claudio de atrocitate sceleris,

if they should have persuaded to Claudius about the enormity of the crime,

Messalinam posse opprimi damnatam sine quaestione;

Messalina to be able to be crushed having been condemned without an investigation ;

sed periculum esse ne ille audiret defensionem ,

but danger to be lest he should hear a defending,

neve aures non essent clausae etiam confitenti.

or lest his ears should should not be closed even to < one> confessing guilt. Narcissus, quaerens occasionem ,

Narcissus, seeking an opportunity,

cum Caesar diu moraretur apud Ostiam,

when Caesar for a long time was delaying at Ostia,

perpulit duas paelices eius largitione et promissis subire delationem.

prevailed upon two concubines of him by bribery and promises to undertake the informing.

exim Calpurnia (id nomen alteri paelici)

Straightway Calpurnia (this < was> the name to one concubine) ubi secretum datum est ,

when an audience was granted < to her>, provoluta ad genua Caesaris

having fallen down before the knees of Caesar

exclamat Messalinam nupsisse Silio ;

she cries out Messalina to have married to Silius :

altera paelice confirmante haec,

with the other concubine confirming these things [abl absolute],

Calpurnia postulat Narcissum cieri .

Calpurnia insists Narcissus to be summoned.

qui inquit “-ne novisti tuum discidium?

Who said: Do you know about your divorce?

nam populus et senatus et milites vidit matrimonium Silii ,

For the people and senate and soldiers have seen her marriage of Silius,

ac nisi agis celeriter, maritus tenet urbem.”

and unless you act quickly, her husband holds the city.

Non solum rumor interea,

Not only rumour meanwhile,

sed undique nuntii contendunt ad Messalinam,

but from all sides messengers hasten to Messalina,

qui adferrent Claudium cognovisse omnia

who report Claudius to have learnt everything

et venire promptum ultioni.

and to be coming eager for vengeance.