XXX.
Exim Calpurnia (id paelici nomen), ubi datum secretum, genibus Caesaris provoluta nupsisse Messalinam Silio exclamat; simul Cleopatram, quae id opperiens adstabat, an comperisset interrogat, (simul Cleopatram, quae id opperiens adstabat, an comperisset interrogat: ‘at the same time she asked Cleopatra, who was standing by awaiting the question, whether she knew it.’ an comperisset: the particle an is used twice in the chapter, here with subjunctive to ask an indirect question and below with indicative in a direct question. Both in direct and indirect speech an is seldom found used for simple questions, except in later Latin and especially in Tacitus, with the same value as num and -ne. In indirect questions an differs from num and -ne in that it suggests a positive answer after verbs expressing doubt.) atque illa adnuente cieri Narcissum postulat. is veniam in praeteritum petens quod ei Vettios, Plautios dissimulavisset, nec nunc adulteria obiecturum ait, ne domum servitia et ceteros fortunae paratus reposceret. (is veniam in praeteritum petens quod ei Vettios, Plautios dissimulavisset, nec nunc adulteria obiecturum ait, ne domum servitia et ceteros fortunae paratus reposceret: lit. ‘asking pardon for the past because he had concealed to him (ei) the Vettii, the Plautii and not even now would he censure her adulteries, he said, still less would he ask [Silius] that he should return the house, the slaves, and the other appendages of greatness.’ ei is dative with dissimulo. Vettios, Plautios are rhetorical plurals. For Vettius see also ch. 31, for Plautius ch. 36. quod dissimulavisset: causal quod is with subjunctive only in oratio obliqua. ne … deposceret: ‘much less should he ask …’; ne is found on a few occasions with the meaning of nedum (see entries in Oxf. Lat. Diction. and Lewis and Short diction.). The subject of deposceret is either Narcissus or Claudius.) frueretur immo his set redderet uxorem rumperetque tabulas nuptialis. (frueretur immo his set redderet uxorem rumperetque tabulas nuptialis: ‘on the contrary (immo), let [Silius] enjoy them, but he should return the bride and break the marriage contract.’ frueretur … his: the deponent fruor commands the abl. frueretur, redderet, rumperet are hortatory subjunctives, though the last two are more appropriately jussive subjunctives.) ‘an discidium’ inquit ‘ tuum nosti? (‘an discidium’ inquit ‘ tuum nosti?: ‘he asked: “Have you been apprised of your divorce?’ inquit here and ait above are defective verbs, in that they lack all tenses derived from the perfect indicative; both should be viewed here as historical presents.) nam matrimonium Silii vidit populus et senatus et miles; ac ni propere agis, tenet urbem maritus.’ (ni propere agis, tenet urbem maritus: conditional clause of the real or logical kind (type II) with indicative in both protasis and apodosis.)