Of ancient date? TRANIO’Tis but recently, in fact, that we’ve discovered this deed.THEUROPIDESWhat is this crime, or who committed it? Tell me.TRANIOA host slew his guest, seized with his hand; he, I fancy, who sold you the house.THEUROPIDESSlew him?TRANIOAnd robbed this guest of his gold, and buried this guest there in the house, on the spot.THEUROPIDESFor what reason do you suspect that this took place?TRANIOI’ll tell you; listen. One day, when your son had dined away from home, after he returned home from dining; we all went to bed, and fell asleep. By accident, I had forgotten to put out my lamp; and he, all of a sudden, called out aloud—THEUROPIDESWhat person? My son?TRANIOHist! hold your peace: just listen. He said that a dead man came to him in his sleep—THEUROPIDESIn his dreams, then, you mean?TRANIOJust so. But only listen. He said that he had met with his death by these means—THEUROPIDESWhat, in his sleep?TRANIOIt would have been surprising if he had told him awake, who had been murdered sixty years ago. On some occasions you are absurdly simple. But look, what he said: I am the guest of Diapontius, from beyond the seas; here do I dwell; this has been assigned me as my abode; for Orcus would not receive me in Acheron, because prematurely I lost my life. Through confiding was I deceived: my entertainer slew me here, and that villain secretly laid me in the ground without funereal rites, in this house, on the spot, for the sake of gold. Now do you depart from here; this house is accursed, this dwelling is defiled.The wonders that here take place, hardly in a year could I recount them.Hush, hush!(He starts.)THEUROPIDESTroth now, what has happened, prithee?TRANIOThe door made a noise. Was it he that was knocking? THEUROPIDES(turning pale.)I have not one drop of blood! Dead men are come to fetch me to Acheron, while alive!TRANIO(aside.)I’m undone! those people there will mar my plot. (A noise is heard from within.) How much I dread, lest he should catch me in the fact.THEUROPIDESWhat are you talking about to yourself? (Goes near the door.) TRANIODo get away from the door. By heavens, fly, I do beseech you.THEUROPIDESFly where? Fly yourself, as well.