lord, and serveth him with love, the
Sun-God riseth over him, and a good word from the mouth of his
lord giveth him life. If he heed not the commands of his lord his
city will fall, his house will perish, and his name will be known
no more for ever in all lands. But he who followeth his lord as a
faithful servant, his city is prosperous, his house is secure, and
his name shall endure for ever."

The letter continues for some time in the same strain, but at the end the
courtier bethinks him of his office of informer, and adds hastily:

"Furthermore, Zimrida, the prefect of Sidon, sends a report every
day to Aziru, Abd-Ashera's son. Every word that comes from Egypt
he telleth to him. I, however, tell it to my lord, that it may
serve thee, oh my lord!"

Two princes, Adad-nirari of Nukhashi and another whose name is now
illegible, apparently take a higher rank than their neighbours. Nukhashi
is often named in these tablets as well as in Egyptian inscriptions, and
it must have been situated on the north-east slope of the Lebanon range.
We have also letters from the towns of Biruta (Beyrout), Hashab, Hazi,
Kumidi, Kadesh on the Orontes, Sidon, Akko, Rubiza, Megiddo, Hazor, Gezer,
Gaza, Lachish, Shamhuna, Mushihuma, Dubu, and others, while there are many
more so mutilated that their origin can no longer be determined.

These letters, though by no means all of them containing important
contributions to the history of political intrigue, are often of interest
from the light they throw on manners and customs. A few further extracts
are therefore given here.

"To the king my lord, my gods, my sun; Yabitiri is thy servant,
the dust of thy feet, &c. And a faithful servant of the king am I.
I look hither, and I look thither, but it is not light; then I
look to the king my lord, then there is light. A brick may be
removed from its firm bed, but I move not away from the king's
feet. Let my lord the king ask Yanhamu, his _rabisu_. While I was
still young he brought me to Egypt, and I served my lord the king
and stood at the gate of the palace (as page). And to-day, let my
lord the king ask his _rabisu_, I guard the gates of Gaza and of
Joppa. I am also attached to the Pidati of my lord the king;
whither they go thither do I go with them, as even now. On my neck
rests the yoke of my lord the king, and I bear it."

The following tablet