They1 thundered like clouds and shone like lightning but despite both these things they exhibited cowardice, while we do not thunder until we pounce upon the foe nor do we show flow (of words) until we have not virtually rained.
(1) Al-Mufid, al-Jamal, 177, from (2)
(2) al-Waqidi, al-Jamal.
(4) al-Khwarazmi in al-Manaqib.