Siyar al-mutaʾakhkhirin 14.1.8

14.1.8

As to the first, I inform you that by God's blessing, the intrepid warriors, those lions avide of slaughter and blood, are more covetous than ever of another engagement with you, and more desirous of fighting than hunters are of getting at their prey. And as to the second article, I must tell you, that they cannot expect any benefit from entering into a treaty with so unfortunate and so ill fated a Commander as you. Matters standing thus, the agreement you expect, cannot be brought about but by a battle, when the lions giddy with the fumes of an approaching slaughter, shall swim over the bloody plain, shall drag the crocodiles of Barar to the slaughter, and tinge the element with streams of their blood. Then, and not sooner, whoever shall have obtained the victory, will have it in his power to propose an agreement to his own mind. Rhago-dji on receiving this message, resolutely answered in these words. "I am come from a thousand cosses' distance to encamp in this corner of the dominions of your Majestuous Highness, and do not see that you have as yet moved so little as a hundred cosses to receive your guests." This answer produced the following reply: "What you observe is nothing but truth. However, the reason is that the rainy season is at hand; please therefore to take some rest;