How could I knock, if I didn't touch it?
TRA. By all that's holy, you've been the death--
THEU. Of what person? TRA. Of all your family.
THEU. May the Gods and Goddesses confound you with that omen.
TRA. I'm afraid that you can't make satisfaction for yourself and them.
THEU. For what reason, or what new affair is this that you _thus_
suddenly bring me _news of_?
TRA. And (_whispering_) hark you, prithee, do bid those people to
move away from here. (_Pointing to the_ ATTENDANTS _of_
THEUROPIDES.)
THEU. (_to the_ ATTENDANTS). More away from here.
TRA. Don't you touch the house. Touch you the ground [1]
as well. (_Exeunt the_ ATTENDANTS.
THEU. I' faith, prithee, do speak out now.
TRA. Because it is now seven months that not a person has set foot
within this house, _and_ since we once for all left it.
THEU. Tell me, why so?
TRA. Just look around, whether there's any person to overhear our
discourse.
THEU. (_looking around_). All's quite safe.
TRA. Look around once more.
THEU. (_looking around_). There's nobody; now then, speak out. TRA.
(_in a loud whisper_). The house has been guilty of a capital
offence [2].
THEU. I don't understand _you_. TRA. A crime, tell you, has
been committed _there_, a long while ago, one of olden time and
ancient date.
THEU. Of ancient date?
TRA. 'Tis but recently, in fact, that we've discovered this deed.
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