2478 Cool thine eye. An idiom for "comfort thyself and be glad". The literal meaning should not, however, be lost sight of. She was to cool her eyes (perhaps full of tears) with the fresh water of the rivulet and take comfort that a remarkable babe had been born to her. She was also to look around, and if any one came near, was to decline all conversation. It was quite true: she was under a vow, and could not talk to any one. 2479 She was to decline all conversation with man or woman, on the plea of a vow to Allah. The "fast" here does not mean abstinence from eating or drinking. It means abstinence from speaking to any human-being. (Eds.)