“Verse, Properly So Called”

Reading Ancient Mail

“…And I myself [19][20][21][22] received all their seed-grain, every person, and their food from the chief of shipwrecks, 23 and I returned (it) to them. 24 And a second ship of yours 25 is without rigging (lit., naked) in Akko. [26][27] So my brother must not worry.…”

“…It is from the site of Lachish; the Lachish letters describe the advance of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar's army on the kingdom of Judah, and so they can be dated precisely to 586 bce. The writer of this letter is a soldier, who is replying to a letter from a superior: 25 . .…”

“…[18][19][20] Imdī-ilum has gone to Burušḫaddum. [20][21][22][23][24][25] As you are our brothers, air out all the textiles that he brings, whether of Šū-Laban or of Aššur-imittī, [25][26][27] and have your report-"infested / not infested with moths"-come here.…”

“…29 U kīma šâti 30 umma-šu <i>rām-ū-šu, 31 atti [y]âti ul 32 tarammī-nnī. [24][25] While you gave birth to me,[26][27][28] his mother [ad]opted him. [29][30] And though his mother loved him, 31-32 you do not love me.…”