elanya

Another gem from the Bahamas gazette for the week of December 4-11, 1784!

MIND, HUSSEY, WHAT YOU DO!
Sung this Season by Mrs. Wrighten, at Vauxhall Gardens.
Written by Mr. Hawkins, and composed by Mr. Hook.

WHEN I was of a tender age,
And in my youthful prime,
My mother oft wou'd in a rage,
Cry, girl take care in time;
For you are now so forward grown,
The men will you pursue,
And all the day this was her tone,
Mind, Hussey, what you do!

Regardless of her fond advice,
I hasten'd o'er the plain,
Where I was courted in a trice
By each young sylvan swain;
Yet by the bye, I must declare,
I virtue had in view,
Altho' my mother cry'd beware,
Mind, Hussey, what you do!

To Damon gayest of the green,
I gave my youthful hand;
His blooming face and comely mien
I could not well withstand;
But straight to chuch we [c?]ript away,
With heart both firm and true.
Ah! Then my mother ceas'd to say-
Mind, Hussey, what you do!

Ye lasses all attend to me,
And thence this lesson learn,
When to your mind a man you see,
Ne'er look morose or stern;
But take him with a free good will,
Should he have love for you,
Althou' your mother crying still,
Mind, Hussey, what you do!

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As an aside, I also found the following advertisement very interesting!

FOUND
A GOLD SLEEVE BUTTON. The owner describing the same, giving the negro who found it a small gratuity for his honesty, and paying for this advertisement, may have it again. Apply at the Printing Office.