org &4000		; put code at memory address 0x4000
wr_char equ &bb5a ; write ASCII character in register A to screen
				; (jumps into CPC ROM)

; put registers on stack so we can return to BASIC later
push bc
push de
push hl

ld b,5		; loop from 5 to 1

row:

push bc	; save outer loop variable

; calculate inner loop limit (6 - outer loop variable)
ld a,6
sub b
ld b,a

column:

ld a,42	; asterisk in ASCII
call wr_char
djnz column ; decrement B, jump to label if non-zero

pop bc	; restore outer loop

; print carriage return/line feed
ld a,13
call wr_char
ld a,10
call wr_char

djnz row

; restore registers
pop hl
pop de
pop bc
ret	; return to BASIC interpreter