The verse is about the differences between the Dutch and the Belgian
Lions: the Dutch Lion has a crown, the Belgian hasn't; the Dutch Lion
holds sword and arrows, the Belgian doesn't.
"geen kroon kan hem beklemmen"
"beklemmen" can mean "to frighten", which would make it:
"no crown can make him fear"
but the more common literal and in this case correct meaning is "to
constrict"
So it is (lit.): "no crown can constrict him".
"Al zwaait hij niet met zwaard en pijl"
Should translate:
"Even if he doesn't swing with sword and arrow"
without "his".
--- In
BoundaryPoint@yahoogroups.com, Brendan Whyte <bwhyte@u...>
wrote:
> I know someone did this once before, but can I get a fresh
translation of
> this verse from the brass plaque at Camp in Baarle?
>
> My dictionary does not agree with the translation that was made
(and which
> doesn't quite make sense).
>
> Aan d'andre kant de Belze Leeuw,
> geen kroon kan hem beklemmen.
> Al zwaait hij niet met zwaard en pijl:
> ze zullen hem niet temmen.
>
> the translation given here before was:
>
> At the other side de Belgian Lion,
> no crown can fear him.
> Even if he does not swing his sword and arrow:
> they will not tame him.
>
> But I would make it something to the effect of:
> On the other side is the Belgian lion,
> no crown (does he wear?)
> Although he doesn't swing (use/need?) a sword or arrow
> They will not tame him.
>
> Can someone correct me please?
>
> Thanks
>
> Brendan