Once upon a time (6th century) Welsh harpers cast their harps into the River Conway, dived in themselves, swam, towed, hauled out their harps upon the further shore, plucked manfully but inaudibly at sodden strings. Followed a troop of Welsh singers. Having swum the Conway they sang no better and no worse than before. Prince Maelgwn Gwynedd of North Wales, thereupon welcomed the singers to the first recorded Welsh Eisteddfod, heaped their palms with gold, banished his harpers, proclaimed the confirmation through "trial by water" of his pet theory: that song is...
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