8 B. M.—The salutation is the same as before, but the writer’s name is spelt “_Tusratta_” instead of _Dusratta_. The letter is the best preserved in the whole collection.
“Since your forefathers were friendly with my forefathers, thou therefore wast very greatly friendly with my father. So you love me: we are zealous friends. Ten times more you increase it than to my father. The heavenly Gods shall decree that we shall be friends. May _Rimmon_ my God, and _Amanu_, so pronounce, even forever.
“And so my brother sent _Mani_ his envoy. Thus indeed my brother (said) ‘Does not my brother’s heart desire that thy daughter (be) the wife of my young son(376)—as a princess of _Egypt_’ and I spoke as to my intention about it; and my brother desiring that she should be made ready for _Mani_, and to show her, so he beheld her, and praised her much. And may they lead her in peace into the land of my brother. May _Istar_ and _Amanu_ make her agreeable to my brother’s heart.
“_Gilia_, my envoy, set forth my brother’s message before me. So I heard and it was very good; and so I rejoiced very much. Thus truly I say ‘This is thus arranged between us so that we may be zealous friends.’ Now with firm faith forever let us be friends.
“So I shall send to my brother, and I say thus myself, so let us be much more friendly; and do not you respond to us? And I say thus, that my brother has enriched me ten times more than my father.
“And I have asked much gold of my brother: so he has given me more than to my father. My brother indeed sent to me; and to my father you sent much gold: much (merchandise?) of gold; and besides all the gold you sent him you have sent me bricks of gold (lavished?) like copper.
“I sent _Gilia_ (humbly?) to my brother, and asked for gold. Thus indeed I (said) ‘Truly my brother has given me more than to my father, and may he send me untold gold.’
“May my brother send me more than to my father; and now I say thus to my brother: the (loan?) that my grandfather made, so I may (say), as (one thinking little of wealth?) he made it for thee; and now as regards (what) I say, the gold that my brother shall send, let him send it when he likes.
“Lo my brother has sent the gold saying ‘It is due to you,’ But no. No more was due; and he had satisfied the account; and when he had satisfied the account I was glad thereof exceedingly; and whatever my brother sends I have been very glad thereof.