The Memoirs of Bābur 905.2.7

905.2.7

Taṃbal must have had news of our getting to horse for he had hurried to help his elder brother.[498] Somewhere between the two Prayers of the day,[499] his blackness[500] became visible towards Nū-kīnt. Astonished and perplexed by his elder brother's light departure and by our quick arrival, he stopped short. Said we, 'It is God has brought them in this fashion! here they have come with their horses' necks at full stretch;[501] if we join hands[502] and go out, and if God bring it right, not a man of them will get off.' But Wais _Lāgharī_ and some others said, 'It is late in the day; even if we do not go out today, where can they go tomorrow? Wherever it is, we will meet [Sidenote: Fol. 73.] them at dawn.' So they said, not thinking it well to make the joint effort there and then; so too the enemy, come so opportunely, broke up and got away without any hurt whatever. The (Turkī) proverb is, 'Who does not snatch at a chance, will worry himself about it till old age.' _(Persian) couplet._ Work must be snatched at betimes, Vain is the slacker's mistimed work.