MS: Lesson - Reading Passage, Part 2

Image: two men in togasMatrimonium Selenes Part 2 and Conclusion

The story continues. Before continuing, a reminder that you can use the MS Reading Help Links to an external site. handout to access the full Latin text along with notes on vocabulary and grammar. 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.

Remember back to the previous story section: Pseudolus is trying to formulate a way to speak with Juba about what he's learned. In the middle of his thought process, Livia summons him, promising new information. Instead, Livia is shocked by Pseudolus appearance (he has grown quite thin and looks ill). She presses him to follow through before the wedding of Juba and Selene - bringing her proof could bring about a change.

Chapter 9: Matrimonium Selenes, part 2: A convesation with Juba

Pseudolus finally determined to overcome his fears, for he understood that the danger to Selene was extreme. He had to ask Juba about Campania. What had really happened there? Pseudolus knew that Juba would be wounded by an accusation, but he also understood that sometimes you have to do things that you don't want to do. The marriage was soon and the time to act was now. And yet, Pseudolus adored Juba: it was clear that his task was not going to be easy.

Juba, who was going to be the king of Numidia, seemed to be most calm. He rarely ordered his slaves to do menial tasks; he also avoided speaking cruelly to his friends, preferring to act with grace and equanimity. Out of all the students Pseudolus had ever taught, Juba had always been the most noble. Pseudolus found Juba reading in his bedroom. As soon as Pseduolus entered, a friendly smile spread across Juba's face.

Latin Portion I
Pseudolus talks to Juba about the death of Marcellus

Iuba, "Salve," inquit, "magister! De te modo putabam: tu adhuc aeger esse videris. Dixistine medico imperiali? Panem vinumque habeo: spero te in cena parva me commissurum esse. Non sum solus in anxietate mea: Selene mihi dicit se ex cura vix dormire. Si me amabis, mulce mentem tuam colloquio mecum. Dic mihi: quid pro te facere possum?"

Pseudolus, cuius oculi lacrimis maduerat, cor suum rumpens sentivit. Quodmodo crediderat Iubam Marcellum nocuisse aut occidisse? Tamen, interfector verus erat callidissimus fallacissimusque, et suggestiones ad Iubam indicare visae est. Hic vir Selenen amatam in matrimonium ducturus erat: ignorare argumentum noluit. Selenen bonum virum nubere voluit! Fortasse Iuba erat ille bonus vir. Pseudolus iussit se non iam morari. "Salve," inquit, "Iuba care. Cupio te fuisse filius meus! Te tam amo! Pessimum timeo et ita necesse est mihi te interrogare. Si non responderis, te non condemnabo! Tamen," cum illo verbo, Pseudolus suspiravit, "oportet mihi hoc scire: quid in Campina accidit? Dictus sum te invenisse Marcellum Selenen amavisse. Estne hoc verum?"

Notes:

  • videris: you seemed. This is the deponent usage from videri.
  • Pseudolo ingresso: ablative absolute: As soon as Pseudolus entered
  • Si me amabis: idiom – Please.
  • colloquio: ablative of means - in conversation
  • Si non responderis, te non condemnabo!: If you don't respond, I won't blame you!

Juba's face darkened, but he nodded. Pseudolus continued, "I see. Was there a fight? Did you confront Marcellus? Perhaps you became jealous, and perhaps that jealousy grew into anger. Perhaps, in a moment of anger, you gave Marcellus some wine. Tell me: what do you know? Tell me, by the gods, that I am completely wrong! Just tell me!"

Latin Portion II
Juba responds

Iuba diu tacebat. Pseudolus tantam iram in Iuba numquam viderat. Denique iuvenis, "Nulla," respondit, "verba habeo. Meus magister amatus! Quis tibi haec mendacia dixit? Estne Alexander adhuc iratus de cursu? Stultus! Sed certe tibi tantas res non dixit. Oro te: contempla! Me scis! Exi nunc. Es falsissimus, sed nulla magis verba pro te habeo. Exi!"

Notes:

  • cursu: we didn't read directly about the race, but Juba is here referring to the race in which Alexander crashed, afterwards accusing Juba of sabotage.
  • Exi: imperative from exire: Leave.

Guiding Questions

Use the following context clues to help read the final paragraphs correctly. Also, don't forget to check your reading log for additional notes on vocabulary and grammar, if you need any help!

  1. What evidence does Pseudolus present to explain why he’s asking questions?
  2. Pseudolus seems to be directing Juba with his questions. What does he suggest?
  3. How does Juba initially react to the questions?
  4. How does the confrontation end?

Chapter 9: Matrimonium Selenes Conclusion: At the wedding

Erat nunc dies matrimonii. Et amici et familiae Iubae Selenesque congressi erant. Augustus, molitus matrimonium, et uxor eius, Livia, erant hospites honoris, et imperator ipse, officium, se matrimonium ministraturum esse decreverat. Alexander et complures discipuli ceteri adsunt arbitri. Etiam Iulia, cum ceteris ab familia imperiali, sequebatur.

Pseudolus terram spectavit, nolens Iubam conspicere. Colloquium eorum Pseudolum non levaverat. Pseudolus intellexit: Iuba fuisset iratissimus. Locutus est sibi Iubam aut crimine oneratum esse aut ad accusationem falsam iratum esse.

Interim matrimonium coepit: Selene pulcherrima intravit et prope Iubam stetit. Augustus, nesciens de famis, laete turbae de matrimonio dixit. Livia, breviter capiens observationem Pseudoli, tanta anxia quanta Pseudolus esse visa est. Tandem, Augustus Iubam Selenenque cohortatus est: "Amplectimini vestros manus."

Tum Augustus narravit Selenen verba nota dictura esse. Selene placide dixit, "Ubi tu Gaius, ibi ego Gaia."

Augustus hortans ad Iubam vertit. Iuba late risit et respondit, "Et ubi tu Gaia, ibi ego Gaius." Multi horum congressorum novum coniugium laudaverunt. Pseudolus autem inter ceteros salutem Selenes desperavit.

Notes:

  • officium: appositive – as a duty
  • sequabatur: was in attendance
  • aut...aut: either...or. These two introduce indirect statements: told himself that Juba had either…or…
  • tanta...quanta: as ____...as
  • amplectimini: plural imperative form of the deponent: Clasp
  • salutatem desperavit: despaired for the safety of

Investigation Notes: Part 2 and Conclusion

Pseudolus finally goes to see Juba.

  1. What finally causes Pseudolus to stop delaying?
  2. Describe Juba as Pseudolus sees him.
    • What seem to be his main characteristics?
  3. How does Juba greet Pseudolus?
    • What does he say about Pseudolus’ appearance?
    • What does he offer?
  4. When Pseudolus expresses his love for Juba, what do you think was going through Juba’s mind?
    • Do you think Juba expected the line of questioning to come?
  5. Pseudolus presents a series of explanations (fortasse...fortasse...fortasse...), more than simply asking questions.
    • Why does he take this approach?
  6. Who does Juba blame initially for Pseudolus “outrageous” questions?
    • Does he stick with his initial idea?
    • What is his overall reaction?
  7. What happens at the wedding? Who is there? Who is happy? Who is nervous?
  8. Discuss the state of the case in general. Is the investigation moving forward? What is Pseudolus doing at this point to find the ultimate truth about the death of Marcellus?
  9. Why is it so difficult for Pseudolus to talk to Juba about the case? What hangs in the balance for him, for his protege, and for the rest of the imperial house?    
  10. Does Selene suspect Juba in any way? If she does, why does she still marry him? Who, ultimately, is the only person whose opinion matters in the creation of the marriage? Does this person know any of the details of the story?