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 navigation. 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?)(264) 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_(265) 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_ ... they have gone up to fight the ships (of the city) of _Arāda_ (Arvad) ... (it was grievous?) ... _Riib_ ...”
55 B.—A much-broken letter appears to refer to a message from the King being seized, and that 300 men poured out and burned a city. It speaks of a _Paka_ and of Egyptian soldiers, and of the city _Beruti_ (_Beirût_) and of _Abdasherah’s_ forces.