The Kingfisher

I watched a jewel of a film last night, The Kingfisher, and it was

absolutely wonderful. It stars one of my very favorites, the brilliant

and beautiful Wendy Hiller, who plays the newly widowed Lady

Evelyn, wooed by the impetuous Sir Cecil, with whom she shared a

brief romantic moment some five decades earlier, played by the

charming Rex Harrison. This is a 1982 made for TV film, an

adaptation of the William Douglas Home play. It is short--only 77

minutes, quiet, elegant, literate and very funny. I must watch it

again to catch all the witty nuances. These two veteran actors go

head to head with their remarkable talents. Treat yourself with

this delicious little film!

The Kingfisher

IT was the Rainbow gave thee birth,
And left thee all her lovely hues;
And, as her mother's name was Tears,
So runs it in my blood to choose
For haunts the lonely pools, and keep
In company with trees that weep.
Go you and, with such glorious hues,
Live with proud peacocks in green parks;
On lawns as smooth as shining glass,
Let every feather show its marks;
Get thee on boughs and clap thy wings
Before the windows of proud kings.
Nay, lovely Bird, thou art not vain;
Thou hast no proud, ambitious mind;
I also love a quiet place
That's green, away from all mankind;
A lonely pool, and let a tree
Sigh with her bosom over me.

-----W. H. Davies