for the King, and the two have not gone forth, as being now afraid, and (refusing?) to my face . . . I send to the palace (or capital), and Azru (Aziru?) is laying snares, gathering soldiers: has not Abdasherah marched with whatever he had? As I am told they will send friendly messages to my Lord, but thou wilt say “Why do ye send friendly messages to me when you refuse my message?”[1]
“I have been afraid of the snare. Azaru (is) like . . . Lo! I am strong through the King . . . The sons of Abdasherah—the slave dog—have pretended that the cities of the governments of the King are given to them—our cities. The fortress has not opened to Aziru . . . O King as to their cities are they not subject to them? From the city Simyra, to the city Ullaza, the city Sapi[2] . . . chariots . . . land of Egypt . . . from their hands for me. So now I am despatching this chief: he has left: do I not send to the King? Now the two chiefs of the land of Egypt, they whom you sent us remain with me, and have not gone out, since no soldiers are (intended for?) me, and . . . the lands for the men of blood. And since the King’s heart altogether has forgotten my Egyptian soldiers (bitati) I send to Yankhamu and to Biri. They have taken those that were with the governors. Lo! may the land of the Amorites become (their) conquest. The corn which they have threshed for me has been stored up, a part of the whole with my . . . and one part with me; and . . . the King will order . . . we . . . all whatever breathes; (it is not right to shut them up?) for the King; he is not coming to him: the chief must help himself to what was ordered to be stored up for the King. The King shall order a memorial as to the innocence of his servant. And as to the produce of the city O King there is none at all with me; all is finished from being distributed for (my own subsistence?). But as to this chief, the King will order him as I trust, and will give us men of garrison for . . . to guard his faithful servant and his chief city, and the men of Nubia who are with us, as those who are your foes (exult?). Moreover behold (much to say?) . . . Thinking this, I shall send to the palace for a garrison—men of Nubia . . . The
