Latin Messalina Literature Text 4/10

Front 1

igitur domus principis inhorruit, maximeque ei qui potentiam habebant timuerunt ne res verterentur

Back 1

Therefore the household of the emperor shuddered, and most of those who had power feared that the government might be overthrown

Front 2

spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrocitate sceleris persuasissent, Messalinam posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatum;

Back 2

However they hope that, if they persuaded Claudius of the enormity of the crime, Messalina might be able to be crushed by being condemned without trial;

Front 3

sed periculum esse ne ille defensionem audiret, neve clausae aures etiam confitenti non essent.

Back 3

But they thought that there was a danger that he might listen to her defence, and that his ears might not be closed to her confessing.

Front 4

Narcissus, occasiones quaerens, cum Caesar diu apud Ostiam moraretur, duas eius paelices largitone et promissis perpulit delationem subire.

Back 4

Narcissus, looking for oppurtunities, while Claudius delayed for a long time at Ostia. prevailed upon two of his courtesans with bribery and promises to undertake the accusation.

Front 5

exim Calpurnia (id alteri paelici nomen), ubi datum est secretum, ad genua Caesaris provuluta nupsisse Messalinam Silo exclamat;

Back 5

Then Calpurnia (that was the name given to the courtesan), when a private interview was given, having fallen down at the knees of Claudius, exclaims that Messalina had married Silius.

Front 6

altera paelice haec confirmante, Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat.

Back 6

With the other courtesan confirming these things, Calpurnia demands that Narcissus be summoned.

Front 7

qui 'discidiumne tuum' inquit 'novisti? nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites; ac nisi celeriter agis, tenet urbem maritus.'

Back 7

who asks ' Do you know about the divorce? For the people and the senate and the soldiers have seen Silius's marriage; and if you do not act quickly, her husband holds the city.'