<P> An early literary citing of "shooting the messenger" is in Plutarch's Lives states: "The first messenger, that gave notice of Lucullus' coming was so far from pleasing Tigranes that, he had his head cut off for his pains; and no man dared to bring further information . Without any intelligence at all, Tigranes sat while war was already blazing around him, giving ear only to those who flattered him". </P> <P> A related sentiment was expressed in Antigone by Sophocles as "no one loves the messenger who brings bad news" or "no man delights in the bearer of bad news" (Greek: στέργει γὰρ οὐδεὶς ἄγγελον κακῶν ἐπῶν). </P> <P> The sentiment that one should not shoot the messenger was expressed by Shakespeare in Henry IV, Part 2 (1598) and in Antony and Cleopatra: Cleopatra threatens to treat the messenger's eyes as balls when told Antony has married another, eliciting the response "Gracious madam, I that do bring the news made not the match ." </P> <P> The term also applied to a town crier, an officer of the court who made public pronouncements in the name of the ruling monarch, and often including bad news . Harming a town crier was considered treason . </P>

Where did don't shoot the messenger come from
find me the text answering this question