ing
shall order the cutting off of the city _Simyra_, so that the King may
rule his land. Who is this _Abdasherah_?--a slave, a dog. O King it is thy
land, and they have joined the King of the land of _Mitani_. But come to
us to the King's land to ... before the cities of your rulers are
destroyed; and lo! this has been said ... thy _Paka_, and not ... his
cities to them. Now they have taken the city of _Ullaza_(253) for it is as
has been said, until you shall march to this city of _Simyra_. And they
have slain for us the _Paka_ and the Egyptian (_bitati_) soldiers who
(were) in the city of _Simyra_ ... they have done to us, and shall not I
go up ... to the city of _Simyra?_ The cities _Ambi_, _Sigata_, _Ullaza_,
(_Caphar?_) _Yazu_(254) have fought for me. Their destruction for us by
them, will be pleaded against the city of _Simyra_, these cities ... and
the sons of _Abdasherah_ ... Alas! and the city of Gebal demands of the
men of blood as to the city _Tikhedi_.(255) I marched; but there befell an
entering-in to spoil by the men of blood."

23 B. M.--The usual salutation is absent, and it seems to be written to an
official: "To ... as a letter thus _Ribadda_. I bow at thy feet. Baalath
of Gebal the God of the King my Lord may (she?) strengthen thy power in
the presence of the King thy Lord--the Sun of the lands. You know behold
that a (covenant?) has been engraved. But why was it sent? And lo! this
thou shalt announce: I am left in fear that an end will be made of all.
Thou shalt make the whole known. Behold it was sent to me. 'Do not wait to
go forth to the city _Simyra_ till I come.' Behold you know, the wars are
exceeding mighty against me, but he comes not. I did march, and lo! the
city of _Ambi_ (_'Aba_) has been burned by me. You know that the chief and
the principal men of this city have gathered with _Abdasherah_, and behold
I did not march farther. Behold you know all that has been; and on this
account ... having asked my question of my prophet(256) behold I feared
accordingly. Hear me speak--favorably as I trust (as to) coming; and you
know that they strive with our country, who behold are men of good will.
Because ... your favor is strong ... do not you urge ... a message to this
city, and out of its midst she sends to ..."

86 B., a much-broken letter, supposed to be from _Ribadda_, mentions
_Batruna_ and _Ambi_.(257) Toward the end it reads continuously: "The King
of the land of the _Hittites_ behold is .