Statement of the Chaush prior to battle

by Minhaj-i-Siraj

Sult̤ān Sanjar [then] turned his face towards the Amīr-i-C͟hā-ūsh, who was also Marshal of his retinue, and said: "C͟hā-ūsh, what is it advisable to do?" The C͟hā-ūsh dismounted from his horse, and, bowing his head to the ground, repeated the following lines:—

"Great monarch! we ought to give battle:
We should close with the foe.
All the fierce lions of the forest
Must be brought into the field,
All the huge elephants of war
Should doubtless be brought into the fray.
It is the day of battle: it is meet to engage.
It is the hour for action: it is well to be doing.
If thou wouldst render the kingdom stable,
It is essential that the sword should be plied."