
One Arrow Through Four Shields
From B9.46, Siavash Shows His Skill at Polo. It illustrates B9.46.25–30:
- B9.46.25Four shields of Gilan Siavash ordered then,Two wood, two tempered steel before the men.
- B9.46.26He took six poplar arrows at his waist,One shaft in hand, its feathered end well placed.
- B9.46.27He set one arrow ready on the string,And drew the bow until it formed a ring.
- B9.46.28He loosed; one shaft pierced every shield in line,And all the watching ranks beheld the sign.
- B9.46.29Three further arrows followed on its track,Each pierced the shields and none was driven back.
- B9.46.30Old men and youths cried out in wonder loud,And called on Yazdan through the gathered crowd.
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