77 B.—After a short salutation: “Let the King hear the news of his faithful servant. It is ill with me: mightily fighting, the sons of _Abdasherah_ have striven in the land of the _Amorites_. They had subdued all the land of the city of _Simyra_, and they have wrecked the city _Irkata_ (Arkah) for its ruler. And now they are coming out of the city of _Simyra_, and it is ill for the ruler (who is) in face of the foes who come out.” The tablet is here broken, but refers to _Gebal_ and to the rulers _Zimridi_ and _Yapaaddu_. The writer hopes for the arrival of troops. “Egyptian soldiers; and the Sun-King will protect me. Friendly men have been (shut up?) in the midst of his land. Moreover, the King my Lord shall hear the message of his servant, and deliver the garrison of _Simyra_ and of _Irkata_: for all the garrison have ... out of the city _Simyra_ and ... Sun-God Lord of the lands will order for me also twenty (companies?—_tapal_) of horse, and, as I trust, to the city of _Simyra_ (to defend her) you will speed (a division?) instructing the garrisons to be strong and zealous, and to encourage the chiefs in the midst of the city. If also you grant us no Egyptian soldiers no city in the plains will be zealous for thee. But the chain of the Egyptian soldiers has quitted all the lands—they have disappeared to the King.”(236)
14 B. M.—“_Ribadda_ speaks to his Lord the King of many lands the Great King. Baalath of Gebal has given power to the King my Lord: at the feet of my Lord, my Sun, seven times seven times I bow. Why wilt not thou utter for us a message to me? And (now) know the demand which my chief is despatched to make in presence of the King my Lord; and his division of horse has marched, but the man has delayed marching—its chief—as the letters to the King were not given to the hand of my chief ... as to what has been said ... of your land, is it not needful that the allies of the _Paka_ should march to the men of blood; have not all the lands been grieved? It will be necessary for the allies, but they come not being slow. Moreover I sent for men of garrison and for horses, but you care not for us (even) to return us a message for me. And I am destroyed by _Abdasherah_ like _Yapaaddu_ and _Zimridi_—and they are fugitives. Moreover, the revolt of the city of _Simyra_ and of the city _Saarti_(237) continues against him. We remain under the hand of _Yankhamu_; and he gives us corn for my eating. We two guard the King’s city for him, and he collects for the King, and orders my chief, appointing chiefs to assist for me, fulfilling the decree which thou hast thyself appointed. We have trusted in the King. And two chiefs of the city have been despatched to be sent, having come down bound from the camp of _Yankhamu_. Moreover, as to this assistance to _Yankhamu_, _Ribadda_ is in your hands, and all that is done for him (is) before you; it is not for me to punish thy soldiers. My superior is over me. And I will send to him if you do not speak about this, or he gives up the city, or I depart. Moreover, if you do not utter for us a message for me, both the city will be surrendered, and I shall go away with the men who support me. And learn that our corn also is failing, and _Milcuru_ has measured the corn—measure of _Baalath_(238) ... very much ...”