Latin - Messalina page 4

igitur domus principis inhorruit, maximeque ei qui potentiam habebant timuerent ne res verteruntur:

Therefore, the house of the emperor shuddered, and those who held power were greatly afraid that the state would be overturned.

spem tamen habebant, si Claudio de atrociate sceleris persuasissent, Messalinam posse opprimi sine quaestione damnatam;

However, they had some hope that if they persuaded Claudius about the enormity of the crime, Messalina could be condemned without a trial and crushed.

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

But they believed that there was a danger that he would listen to a defence and his ears would not be closed to her, even if she confessed.

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

Narcissus, looking for opportunities since Caesar was delaying for a long time at Ostia, compelled two of his (ie the emperor’s) concubines with bribery and promises to undertake an accusation.

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

The Calpurnia (that was the name of one of the concubines) when she was given a private interview, falling at the knees of Caesar, exclaimed that Messalina had married Silius.

altera paelice haec confirmante, Calpurnia cieri Narcissum postulat.

When the other concubine confirmed these things, Calpurnia demanded for Narcissus to be summoned.

qui ‘discidiumne tuum; inqit ‘novisti?

(Who) he said “did you know about your divorce?”

nam matimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et milites; ac misi celeriter agis, tenet urbem maritus.

For the people and the senate and the soldiers saw the marriage of Silius; and unless you act quickly, the husband (ie Silius) will hold the city.