This is an attempt to reconstruct an inscription, by me titled Canticle of Harmony, that could be read on the gates of Canterlot; my work spanned through the course of seven months, from the recovery of the gates' stones to the interpretation of the writing, which, after a few days of doubt, I decided to translate in Modern Equestrian instead of presenting the Old Equestrian text, in order to make the short poem accessible to the majority of Ponykind and not to just a small circle of scholars; of course, most of the subtleties of the original poetry are in this fashion severely compromised or even lost. I am no poet.

But, in the hope that this old poem could fill us with the memory of good, if past, times, alleviate a bit the sorrow that covers us all in this moment, I offer you this text in all its ancient beauty.

May Equestria prevail in its darkest hour.

Professor Pipsqueak, Doctor of Theory of Arcane Science, Nocturnal Academy.

(The text, spanning a total of 726 words, has been reconstructed basing on other sources, mainly The Dictionary of The Sun and The Moon, Fourth Edition, pages 34-36, 45-67, by Twilight Sparkle, Foal Press)