THE BELGIAN VINE AND THE KAISER GOAT. [To THE EDITOR
Or THE "SPECTATOR."]
IFTu,—The Greek Anthology contains an epigram (Anth. Pal. IX. 75) curiously appropriate to recent events in Belgium. The vine- tree addresses its mortal enemy the goat in words that may be literally translated : "Even if, goat, you gnaw me to the root, yet all the same I shall bear grapes enough to pear a libation aver you when you are being slaughtered at the sacrifice." • "sle as odyns Ti pLeas, dp.cos fri scarrifo#efeiow 'Oacrer &fascism eel, rpa-ye, Ovoaind. '
The popularity of this couplet in the first century prompted the mad Emperor Domitian to issue an order for the wholesale destruction of vineyards. This in turn led to a witty amendment in the second line, when some nameless poet replaced the words "col, rpdye" by "Kaloapi.” This ingeniously identified the goat with Caesar himself, and the Greek form of the word "Kaiser" reminds the modern ear of the identity in sound and meaning between the modern word " Kaiser " and the title " Caesar " as pronounced by a Roman. The combined effect of the two versions may be rendered thus:— " You may gnaw me to the root, Kaiser goat; I shall live to bear my fruit, Kaiser goat.
They shall drink a toast in wine Of this very grape of mine When the knife is at your throat Kaiser goat."
The vine hae survived Domitian, and Belgium has survived another mad Kaiser --8v4evor even now perlials..—I am, Sir, &c.
ALEXANDER W. LAWRENCE.
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