Ferdowsi

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from Shahnameh

Written 1010 CE

*Translated by Helen Zimmern​ (1883)

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And the sounds of cymbals and the bells of war-elephants filled the air,

and lances and targets gleamed in the sun,

and banners of many hues streamed upon the breeze...

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And the kettle drummers rode at the head,

mounted upon the mighty elephants

whose feet raised a cloud of dust that rose unto the sky.

And the tabors were beat, and the trumpets brayed,

and the cymbals clashed, and sounds of rejoicing filled the land.