The epitaph on an ancient city wall was written the words “Deleta Silentia.” The legend runs that its prince, having been sorely alarmed without cause, gave orders that no word of evil tidings should be brought forth, on pain of death. Thus he spent his days and nights in ease and pleasure. It was when the foe came the sentinel dared not sound the alarm. At last his master was startled from his ease by the shrieks of the dying when his palace was in flames and the city taken. “Deleta Silentia” – “Destroyed by Silence!”