Messaline 17-20

• When Narcissus heard this,

  and when he saw that Claudius’ anger

  was growing weak and his love returning,

  he feared, if he delayed,

  the approaching nigh and

  the memory of his conjual bedroom;

  therefore he rushed out and

  ordered the centurions and the tribune,

  who was present, to carry out the execution:

  he said that thus

  the emperor ordered it.
• one of the freedmen was also sent:

  he, having hurriedly gone ahead into the gardens,

  found Messalina, stretched out on the ground;

  her mother Lepida was sitting next to her,

  who had not been on friendly terms with her daughter

  when she was successful;

  but having turned to pity

  in her extreme time of need,

  she was persuading her

  not to wait for her executioner:

  that her life had passed

  and that she should not seek anything

  other than a proper death.
• But there was nothing honourable

  in the mind of Messalina,

  which had been corrupted by her infidelities;

  tears and useless complaints were poured out,

  when the gates were broken down

  by the forces of those coming

  and the tribune stood by.
• Then, for the first time,

  Messalina understood her situation

  and took her sword;

  putting it in vain to her throat or breast

  through her trembling,

  she was run through by the thrust of the tribune.

  Her body was handed over to her mother.