[Verso] From (his) daughter Shayn to the noble lord
Nanai-dhat.
[On another part of the verso] From (his) servant [left
unfinished].
To (my) noble lord (and) husband Nanai-dhat, blessing (and)
homage on bended knee, as is offered to the gods. And (it would be)
a good day for him who might see you healthy, happy (and) free from
illness, together with everyone; and, sir, when I hear (news of)
your (good) health, I consider myself immortal!
Behold, I am living ..., badly, not well, wretchedly, and I consider
myself dead. Again and again I send you a letter, (but) I do not
receive a (single) letter from you, and I have become without hope
towards you. My misfortune is this, (that) I have been in Dunhuang
for three years thanks(?) to you, and there was a way out a first, a
second, even a fifth time, (but) he(!) refused to bring me out. I
requested the leaders that support (should be given) to Farnkhund
for me, so that he may take me to (my) husband and I would not be
stuck in Dunhuang, (for) Farnkhund says: I am not Nanai-dhat’s
servant, nor do I hold his capital. I also requested thus: If he
refuses to take me to (my) husband, then ... such support for me
that he may take me to (my) mother. The leaders say: Here in
Dunhuang there is no other relative closer than Artivan, (but)
Artivan [say]s: Farnkhund ... whatever ... to do for you. If(?) I(?)
(had) no guarantee, no protection, my father ... I have become ...
not ... How much more would I have ... by my father if ... a servant
of the Chinese! A free man ... who found ... and ... keeps (his)
clothing in good condition(?). And you write (your) bidding to me
about everything in ... so that I should ... you and I should know
how to think, and if I do not ... you, then you write to me so that
I should know how to serve the Chinese. In my paternal abode I did
not have such a restricted ... as with(?) you. I obeyed your command
(lit. took your command upon my head) and came to Dunhuang and I did
not observe (my) mother’s bidding nor (my) brothers’. Surely(?) the
gods were angry with me on the day when I did your bidding! I would
rather be a dog’s or a pig’s wife than yours! And for me ...
Sent by (your) servant Miwnay. This letter was written in the third
month on the tenth day.
From (his) daughter Shayn to the noble lord Nanai-dhat,
blessing (and) homage. And (it would be) a good [day] for him [who]
might see [you] healthy, rested (and) happy. ... I have become ...
and I watch over a flock of domestic animals. Differently to you, I
had a ..., and ... went out. I am ... and I know that you do not
lack twenty staters(?) to send. It is necessary to consider the
whole (matter). Farnkhund has run away; the Chinese seek him but do
not find him. Because of Farnkhund’s debts we have become the
servants of the Chinese, I together with (my) mother.