Sir, - The word "gombeen" has been much in the news of late but many people may have little idea of its meaning. The derogative appellation was common parlance in earlier decades of the century in rural Ireland. It is not often heard today.
Joseph Campbell, the northern Irish poet (1879-1944), describes the term "gombeen" in his reflective poem The Gombeen.
Behind a web of bottles, bales, Tobacco, sugar, coffin, nails The gombeen like a spider sits Surfeited; and, for all his wits, As meagre as the tally board On what his usuries are scored.
The mountain people come and go
For wool to weave or seed to sow,
White flour to bake a wedding cake,
Red spirits for a strangers'
wake.
No man can call, his soul his own
Who has the Devil's spoon on loan.
And so behind his web of bales
Horse halters, barrels, pucan sails
The gombeen like a spider sits, Surfeited; and for all his wits, As poor as one who never knew The treasure of the early dew.
Yours, etc.,
Ballynoe Court,
Bray, Co Wicklow.