Note 104 — MA’ARUF THE COBBLER AND HIS WIFE FATIMAH. (continued 2)

Here the exclamation wards off the Evil Eye from the Sword and the wearer: Mr. Payne notes, “The old English exclamation ‘Cock’s ’ill!’ (i.e. God’s will, thus corrupted for the purpose of evading the statute of 3 Jac. i. against profane swearing) exactly corresponds to the Arabic”—with a difference, I add.