minstrel: Plans for an early harp, and Hello!

[Spatsman at aol.com]

Greetings, fellow wordsmiths!
I am new to the list, therefore I feel it polite to at least introduce myself.
I am HL Fionnagan Dubh of Ansteorra, a seanachie, satirist, and songster.
I have served my kingdom for many years, and have traveled to others, as is
appropriate. Over the years, I have found fans and enemies alike.
I have had the pleasure of serving my king and my country as the Premier Bard
of Ansteorra, and have acted as a herald and a historian in my day.
Yet, something is missing....
I have a hard time with the label of Bard, though I bow to the common usage of
the phrase. I have striven to achieve it, yet one thing has proven to be out
of reach.
Poetic recital with harp.
Oh, sure, I can get a giggle with a story, I can even get a tear or two with
the right song, but I am falling short of the bardic tradition of early
Ireland as long as the harp eludes me.
I am looking for the plans to a hand-held, 8-12 gut-strung harp, circa
800-1000 AD.
I have looked at the Early Music Shop, but neither their harps nor their kits
fit the bill, so to speak. It would seem that Ardival Harps has a bit of a
monopoly in this department, and their prices reflect this. I would like to
make one.
I have read the archives of this list, and needless to say, you good folk put
wordfame and pride back into their proper humble perspective.
I have enormous faith in this list, I and look forward to visiting with you
good minstrels in the future.
Slainte!
~HL Fionnagan

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe from this list, send email to majordomo at pbm.com containing
the words "unsubscribe minstrel". If you are subscribed to the digest version,
say "unsubscribe minstrel-digest". To contact a human about problems, send
mail to owner-minstrel at pbm.com