Simulate multiple simultaneous key presses with applescript?

Question

Is it possible to simulate holding down multiple keys with applescript? No modifiers, just letters.
For example;
holding down d,o,n,k,e and y keys simultaneously for 1 second then letting go?
so far I have this:
on run {input, parameters}
          tell application "System Events"
       keystroke 4
       keystroke 1
       keystroke 37
       keystroke 9
       keystroke 2
       keystroke 17
          end tell
          return input
end run
Can anyone show me how to tell it to hold for 1 second, but more importantly is this actually possible and am I even on the right track?
Cheers,
Marty

Answer 1

You should be able to achieve this via the key down and key up commands, rather than keystrokes.
As the name implies, a keystroke is a simple, single press of a key whereas the key down simulates the pressing of a key and key up simulates the release.
Off hand I have no idea how it will respond to multiple keys, and I'm not inclined to try, but this should point you in the right direction:
tell application "System Events"
          key down "donkey"
  delay 1
          key up "donkey"
end tell