MS: Lesson - Reading Passage, Part 1

Image: illustration of a Roman-style ring.

Matrimonium Selenes, Part 1

It is very important to practice reading and understanding Latin sentences. While working on the reading handout, read each sentence aloud and listen to the recitation. Be sure to look for ideas in the passage as you read: see if you can get a general sense of the story just from reading out loud. Then practice translating each sentence into English. As you encounter new vocabulary words in the story, think about English cognates and context within the sentences to help you decipher the meaning.

Reading Passage Help Handout

Download the MS Reading Help Links to an external site. handout. This document provides the full text of the story in Latin with additional resources to help you understand, including notes on vocabulary and grammar.

Below you will be able to read and explore the story. Parts will be in English, setting up the context, then there will be sections in Latin to fill in details. Read each section carefully to get the full story! Some additional notes will be included as well. If you see a word or phrase highlighted in bold, check below the passage for additional information.

Chapter 9: Matrimonium Selenes, Part 1: Livia summons Pseudolus again.

Psedulous thought deeply: how was he going to question Juba? Just as soon as his thoughts had come together, a messenger suddenly entered his study. The young man handed Pseudolus a letter, saying that the magister should read it without delay. While Pseudolus read, the messenger waited.

The letter read as follows: "P - I hope that this letter has found you in good health. I have new information for you. Return with my slave. I'm sure you understand: I can't spell these things out for you in a letter. Come quickly. -Livia."

Pseudolus nodded and said to the messenger, "Let us proceed."

Latin Portion I
Pseudolus meets with Livia again

Pseudolus, simul atque ad casam Liviae advenit, dominam salutans alte flexit. Livia prius dixit, "Tu, Pseudole, terribiliter appares. Puto te esse aegrum. Vere tam tenuavisti! De his rebus ceteris dicere debemus: Hermanem diu amissum invenire nequivi. Recenter ab aucipe cetero dicebar famas mortis eius relatas esse. Est nulla causa has famas dubitare. Famis veris, credo interfectorem Annae Hermanem quoque necavisse. Quis aliter est potis? Putasne eundem omnes tres, Marcellus et Anna et Hermanes, occidere potuisse? Locutus Iuliae, didicistine aliquid? Dic mihi!"

Notes:

  • dicebar famas mortis eius relatas esse: I was told that rumors of his death had been reported
  • Famis veris: ablative absolute with implied esse, conditional = If these rumors are true
  • Quis aliter est potis?: Who else could it possibly be?
  • eundem: the same person. This is a substantive use of the reflexive pronoun and the subject of potuisse (indirect statement)
  • Locutus: perfect active participle: Have spoken to...

Pseudolus responded, "Alas, mistress! What can I think?" He continued:

Latin Portion II
Pseudolus describes what he's learned and Livia makes demands

"Omnia quae olim credidi exierunt. Iulia ad Iubam indicavit. Locuta est se putare Iubam invenisse Marcellum Selenen adoravisse. Iubam interrogare adhuc nequivi. Conor illi loqui, iterum et iterum, sed non modo potui. Scis eum mox Selenen in matrimonium ducturum esse: quid facio?"

Livia retulit, "Noli morari! Impero tibi: interroga Iubam...statim! Fac hoc ante matrimonium eorum! Sine absoluta veritate, Augusto aliquid dicere non possum. I, Pseudole, et fac ea quae imperavi."

Notes:

  • Locuta est...putare...invenisse...adoravisse: this is a series of indirect statements: She said that…thinks that…found out that…
  • in matrimonium ducturum esse: this is future tense form of the idiom in matrimonium ducere. Translate: will marry
  • I: imperative singular of eo, ire, ii, itus = Go!

Investigation Notes, Part 1

Pseudolus continues to have a great deal of trouble with the investigation. He goes to talk to Livia for a second time.

  1. Pseudolus:
    • Why has Pseudolus delayed for so long?
    • What happened when Pseudolus finally got his thoughts together?
  2. Livia:
    • What does Livia reveal in her letter?
    • How does Livia react to Pseudolus' appearance?
    • What does she reveal in person?
  3. Thought Exercise: If you were helping Pseudolus prepare to question Juba, what questions would you suggest for him?

Pencil sketch of ring courtesy of VRoma Links to an external site..