Lines on Cima’s ‘Gionata e David’

Giovanni Battista Cima da Conegliano's ‘Gionata e David con la testa di Golia’ (1505)

Lines on Cima’s ‘Gionata e David’ 

D. N. Keane

Prince Jonathan and David walked along, 

While David beamed with pride and hummed a song. 

But Jonathan had something he must say; 

He mustn’t let the boy go on this way. 

‘You really are a crack shot with that sling’, 

The prince said to the boy (and future king). 

‘To fell a giant with a single stone — 

Well, such a feat could win a man a throne. 

By now all Israel will know the news; 

Why you could wed my sister if you choose! 

So is it really needful, my dear boy, 

To carry round his sabre like a toy? 

And pardon me, but speaking as a friend, 

You oughtn’t hold it by the pointy end. 

And while we’re on the subject, if I may 

(For others are a bit too scared to say), 

As trophies go, a head is, well… a lot — 

A severed one, I mean, like that you’ve got, 

Particularly if you mean to go 

And carry it about with you, you know. 

Of course, it’s quite impressive, I must say, 

But isn’t quite convenient in a way. 

You’ll notice no one walks with you but me — 

That’s owing to the smell, quite candidly. 

I felt I had to tell you, as your prince, 

But please, dear boy, you mustn’t take offense. 

Let’s say we find a place to store this booty, 

And then we’ll meet my sister, she’s a beauty’.