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One Arrow Through Four Shields

One Arrow Through Four Shields

From B9.46, Siavash Shows His Skill at Polo. It illustrates B9.46.25–30:

  • B9.46.25
    Four shields of Gilan Siavash ordered then,Two wood, two tempered steel before the men.
  • B9.46.26
    He took six poplar arrows at his waist,One shaft in hand, its feathered end well placed.
  • B9.46.27
    He set one arrow ready on the string,And drew the bow until it formed a ring.
  • B9.46.28
    He loosed; one shaft pierced every shield in line,And all the watching ranks beheld the sign.
  • B9.46.29
    Three further arrows followed on its track,Each pierced the shields and none was driven back.
  • B9.46.30
    Old men and youths cried out in wonder loud,And called on Yazdan through the gathered crowd.

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