messalina 5

non solum rumor interea, sed undique nuntii ad Messalinam contendunt, qui Claudium omnia cognovisse et venire promptum ultioni adferrent.

Meanwhile, there was not only rumour, but messengers from all over hurried to Messalina to report that Claudius had found out everything and was on his way, ready for revenge.

igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metui ad forum digrediuntur.

Therefore Messalina and Silius went off in different directions: she, to the gardens of Lucullus, he, to the forum to conceal his fear.

illa tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent, ire obviam et aspici a marito statim constituit, quod saepe ei fuerat subsidium;

However, although these misfortunes took away her ability to plan, she decided to go to meet her husband at once and to be seen by him, [an approach] which had often been a lifeline to her;

mistique ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.

and she sent orders that Britannicus and Octavia should go to embrace their father.

atque interim, tribus omnino comitantibus — tam repens erat solitudo — postquam per urbem pedibus ivit,

And meanwhile with only three attendents – so sudden was her solitude – after she wandered through the city on foot,

vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat.

she got onto the road to Ostia, in a cart, in which garden rubbish was being removed.

nullam misericordiam civibus commovit quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.

She evoked no pity in the citizens because the appalling nature of her scandals carried more weight.