XXXII.
Non rumor interea, sed undique nuntii incedunt, qui gnara Claudio cuncta et venire promptum ultioni adferrent. (qui gnara Claudio cuncta [esse] et venire promptum ultioni adferrent: ‘[messengers], who would bring news that all was known to Claudius and that he was coming ready for revenge.’ qui … adferrent: relative clause equivalent to a purpose clause, hence with subjunctive.) igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metu ad munia fori digrediuntur. (igitur Messalina Lucullianos in hortos, Silius dissimulando metu ad munia fori digrediuntur: ‘thus, they separate, Messalina to the gardens of Lucullus, Silius, to conceal his fears, to his public duties.’ For the gardens of Lucullus, see ch. 1. dissimulando metu is dat. gerundive expressing intent or purpose, lit. ‘for fear to be kept hidden.’ The gerundive is an verbal adjective of passive meaning implying necessity or duty. munia fori: Silius’ duties as consul.) ceteris passim dilabentibus adfuere centuriones, inditaque sunt vincla, ut quis reperiebatur in publico aut per latebras. (ceteris passim dilabentibus adfuere centuriones, inditaque sunt vincla, ut quis reperiebatur in publico aut per latebras: lit. ‘upon the rest scattering on every side centurions supervened and arrests were made, according as they were found in the streets or hiding.’ ceteris … dilabentibus is dative with adsum; inditaque sunt vincla: lit. ‘irons were clapped on’; ut quis reperiebatur: ‘as soon as anyone was found … ‘; ut is here with the sense of ut primum and takes indicative; cf L. 1923. quis is for aliquis after ut. ) Messalina tamen, quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent, (quamquam res adversae consilium eximerent: ‘even though adversity precludes clear thinking’; concessive quamquam is almost always with subjunctive in Tacitus.) ire obviam et aspici a marito, quod saepe subsidium habuerat,haud segniter intendit (ire obviam et aspici a marito, quod saepe subsidium habuerat, haud segniter intendit: ‘she promptly decided to go meet the husband and be seen by him, which course had often brought [her] assistance.’ Messalina may be baffled and confused, but instinctively she makes all the right decisions.) misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexam patris pergerent. et Vibidiam, virginum Vestalium vetustissimam, oravit pontificis maximi auris adire, clementiam expetere. (misitque ut Britannicus et Octavia in complexam patris pergerent. et Vibidiam, virginum Vestalium vetustissimam, oravit pontificis maximi auris adire, clementiam expetere: ‘and she sent orders that Britannicus and Octavia should hasten into the arms of their father, and begged Vibidia, the eldest of the virgin vestals, to gain the attention of the emperor, as highest priest, and entreat leniency.’ misit ut … pergerent: the verb mitto, in the sense of ‘send word for a certain purpose, is here complemented by a final clause.) atque interim, tribus omnino comitantibus–id repente solitudinis erat–spatium urbis pedibus emensa, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat (tribus omnino comitantibus–id repente solitudinis erat–spatium urbis pedibus emensa, vehiculo, quo purgamenta hortorum eripiuntur, Ostiensem viam intrat: ‘three companions in all escorting her – such was of a sudden her solitude – she crossed the entire city on foot; in a vehicle by means of which the refuse of gardens was carried away, she started on the road to Ostia.’ id … solitudinis: partitive genitive after the neuter id; Latin often uses id with the force of the emphatic talis, ‘such’, ‘so great’) nulla cuiusquam misericordia quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat. (nulla cuiusquam misericordia quia flagitiorum deformitas praevalebat: ‘no pity [shown] of anyone, for the horror of her misdeeds held dominion over all.’ quia … praevalebat: indicative with quia, quod, quoniam, quando )