Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 12.23.6

12.23.6

and as the enemy was now very near, the Azim-abad army passed that whole day under arms, and at night part of it only was awake. The Governor himself passed the greatest part of the night in putting up prayers to the Supreme Judge of disputes; and at day-break, having finished his morning prayer, he mounted his elephant, and ranged his army in battle array. His father, Hadji-ahmed, insisted on their making use of the same method that had succeeded so well lately, to wit, entrenching themselves, and fighting the enemy from behind a rampart. But this advice was vigorously opposed by Mehdy-nessar-qhan, and some other Commanders of approved valour and conduct, who argued in this manner : "The first time," said they, "we were beaten, and the enemy was our conqueror ; but now the scales are turned ; he has been beaten, and we are his conquerors. If we follow the advice of retrenching ourselves, we give him the very advantage he is desirous to have. The rainy season is at hand, and we shall in consequence of such a dilatory warfare be soon obliged to return to the city ; whereas he shall remain on the other side of the Sohon, and protected by this mighty river, he shall enjoy the revenues of one full half of the province (and we doubt very much whether the other half is so rich) ; but this is not all.