Messalina - S5

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 from all sides messengers were hastening to Messalina to report that Claudius knew everything and was coming eager for revenge

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

Therefore Messalina and Silius departed in different directions, (she) to the gardens of Lucullus, (he) to the forum to hide his fear.

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

She, however, although unfavourable circumstances were taking away time for deliberation, immediately decided to meet and see her husband, which had often been a help to her.

misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexum patris irent.

And, she sent instructions that Britannicus and Octavia should go to embrace their father

atque interim, tribus omnino comitantibus - tam repens erat solitudo - postquam per urbem pedibus ivit, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat

And meanwhile, with three at the most accompanying her, so sudden was the isolation, after she went on foot through the city, she entered the Ostian road in a cart, by which the rubbish of the garden was being taken away

nullam misericordiam civibus commovit quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat.

She aroused no pity in the citizens because the hideousness of the scandal prevailed.

et iam erat in aspectu Claudii clamitabatque ut audiret Octaviae et Britannici matrem.

And now she was in sight of Claudius and kept shouting that he should listen to the mother of Octavius and Britannicus

Narcissus tamen obstrepuit, Silium et nuptias referens; simul codicillos libidinum indices tradidit, quibus visus Caesaris averteret.

Narcissus, however shouted down against her, referring to Silius and the marriage; at the same time he handed over a writing table as proof of their lusts, by which he might avert the glances of Caesar

nec multo post urbem ingredienti offerebantur liberi, sed Narcissus amoveri eos iussit.

Not long afterwards the children tried to present themselves, but Narcissus ordered them to be moved away