Page:Egyptian Literature (1901).djvu/230

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202
THE TELL AMARNA TABLETS

appearance of Khani.’ Thus thy Gods and the Sun-God truly had known if I did not stay in the city of Tunip. Moreover because of the intention to set in order the city of Simyra, the King my Lord has sent word (and) the Kings of the land of Marshasse (Mer’ash) have been foes to me. They have marched on my cities: they have observed the desire of Khatib,[1] and has not he promised them? lo! hastily he has promised them. And truly my Lord has known that half of the possessions that the King my Lord has given Khatib takes: the tribute, and the gold and the silver that the King my Lord has given me; and Khatib takes all the tribute; and truly my Lord has known. Moreover as against my Lord the King’s having said, ‘Why dost thou yield service to the messenger of the King of the land of the Hittites, and dost not yield service to my messenger?’ this region is the land of my Lord, he establishes me in it, with men of government. Let a messenger of my Lord come, and all that I speak of in the sight of my Lord let me give. Tin and ships, men[2] and weapons, and trees let me give.”

40 B.—“To Dudu[3] my Lord my father thus (says) Aziru your son your servant: at the feet of my father I bow. Lo! let Dudu send the wishes of my Lord . . . and I . . . Moreover behold thou shalt not reject (me) my father, and whatever are the wishes of Dudu my father, send, and will not I . . . Behold thou art my father and my Lord: I am thy son: the land of the Amorites is your land; and my house is your house.[4] Say what you wish and I will truly perform your wishes.” The latter part is broken, but states that he will not rebel against the wishes of the King or those of Dudu.

38 B.—“To Dudu my Lord my father thus Aziru thy servant. At my lord’s feet I bow. Khatib will march, and has carefully followed the messages (or orders) of the King my Lord before (he goes); and what is good increases; and I have been gladdened very much; and my brethren, men serving the King my Lord, and men who are servants of Dudu my Lord. They had feared exceedingly. Behold he will march, to command for the King my Lord with me. From the

  1. Perhaps the Hittite King of Kadesh, or some other city.
  2. Or perhaps “oil.”
  3. Dodo in the Bible (1 Chron. xi. 12), from the same root as “David.” He was not really Aziru’s father, but apparently a friend in Egypt.
  4. “Beiti beitac” is still a polite phrase of welcome in Palestine.