192 LIVES OF THE MOGHUL EMPERORS. 
departure from that house of sorrow, the world. How 
much better is it to die with honour than to live with 
infamy ! 
Even if I die, I am content with fame : 
Let fame be mine, since this poor frame is death’s.* 
The Most High God has been propitious to us, and 
has now placed us in such a crisis, that if we fall in the 
field, we die the death of martyrs ; if we survive, we 
rise victorious, avengers of the cause of God. Let us 
then with one accord swear on God’s holy word, that 
none of us will even think of turning his face from this 
warfare, nor desert from the battle and slaughter that 
ensue till his soul is separated from his body.” 
This address had the desired effect, and his troops 
marched forward with confidence to a village on the 
Bangunga river, in the neighbourhood of Biana, four 
miles south of Bhurtpoor. He had scarcely pitched 
his camp, when intelligence reached him that the enemy 
were approaching. Having settled his order of bat- 
tle, he calmly awaited their onset. 
The line on this occasion was single. The right 
and left wings were under the command of distin- 
guished leaders, and Prince Humaioon had charge of 
the advanced guard. There was besides a rear guard 
and a strong body of reserve, respectively placed un- 
der the direction of officers whose military conduct on 
former occasions had rendered them worthy of the trust. 
The emperor, at the head of the life-guards, composed 
of his choicest troops, placed himself in front of his 
park of artillery and commanded in person. About 
* This is a couplet from the Shahnameh of Ferdusi. 
