King will . . . men of garrison . . . of the land of Nubia for its guarding, you will not . . . this city to the men of blood.”
51 B.—The ordinary salutation: the letter goes on in an eloquent strain: “The storm (or a tumult) has burst forth. Let the King behold the city of Simyra. Lo! the city of Simyra has remained as a bird caught in the snare: so her . . . is left to the city of Simyra. The sons of Abdasherah by their devices, and the men of the city of Arāda (Arvad) by their hostility have made her wroth, and a fleet has sped . . . in the sight of Yankhamu . . . men of the city . . . they have seized, and . . . Lo! the men of the city Arvad searched for the coming forth of the Egyptian soldiers (bitati); Abdasherah is with them, has he not marched? and their ships are set against the reinforcements from the Land of Egypt. So now there is no nagivation. Let them make haste. Now they have seized the city Ullaza (Kefr Khullis) and all whatsoever Abdasherah has . . . to the chiefs. And lo! we . . . and the ships of the men of Misi (the Delta?)[1] have been broken, with whatsoever was theirs. And as for me they went not up to fight for the mastery of the city of Simyra. Yapaaddu has fought on my side, against whosoever was not faithful (or constant). They have trodden me down . . . So now in sight of Zabandi[2] and of Ibikhaza also, I have (joined?) myself to Yankhamu; and you will know their (good opinion?) of my faithfulness: as to what he thinks of my zeal make him confess, so he will (make it known?). He has fought for me and lo! they are wasting the city Ullaza (to make an end thereof?).”
The back of this long letter is unfortunately quite destroyed. The final sentences are on the edge, the tablet being of considerable thickness:
“I have desired peace (like?) a faithful servant of the King. The men of Egypt, expelled from this city of our neighbor, are with me; and there is no . . . for them to eat. Yapaaddu has not granted my servants this . . . this poor country; but we have been swift to help the city Simyra
