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221 brought her in the way of art and civilization has been inspired by the Herat of Hussain Baiqra. Herat is also noted for the beauty of its gardens. The most important of these are: Takht-i-Safar, Bagh-i-Shahi, Bagh-i-Kurta, Bagh-i-Rubat-i-Ghorian, Bagh-i-Maulana Jami, and Bagh-i-Qalicha. A great variety of game—deer, pheasants, patridges, markhor, hare and various kinds of birds are found along the mountain sides and in the neighbouring plains. Water fowls are abundant at Rubat-i-Ghorian, Kolijang and Ab-i-Jalil. Other places of interest in the province are: Kaminij, Dar-i-Takht, Obeh, Saioshan and Badghisat. Of the natural beauty of the last mentioned locality it is said that Nasr II, the Samanid Prince of Bokhara (913-943) once happened to visit the place. He was so charmed by it that he would not quit it for full two years. The courtiers then approached Rudaki, the Poet-Laureate, to induce the King to return to Bokhara. At the request of the courtiers, Rodaki improvised a poem and when he recited it before the Prince, it is said, that Nasr was so moved that he came down from the throne, mounted the horse of a sentinel on duty and set off for Bokhara in such haste that he did not even care to put on his boots. The poem runs thus: The Ju-i-Muliyan we call to mind, We long for those dear friends long left behind; The sands of Oxus, toilsome though they may be, Beneath my feet were soft as silk to me. Glad at the return of friends, the Oxus deep Up to our girths the laughing waves shall leap. Long live Bokhara ! Be thou of good cheer ! Joyous towards thee hasteth our Amir. The moon's the Prince, Bukhara is the sky;