Miss Bailey's Ghost.
a captain held, in Halifax,
Who ⟨dwelt⟩ in country quarters,
Seduc'd a maid, who hang'd herself.
One morning in her garters:
His wicked conscience smited him;
He lost his stomach daily;
He took to drinking ratifia
And thought upon Miss Bailey.
oh, Miss Bailey,
unfortunate Miss Bailey!
one night; betimes he went to bed,
For he had caught a fever,
Says he I am a handsome man,
But I am a gay deceiver.
His candle, just at twelve o'clock,
Began to burn quite palely;
A ghost stepp'd up to his bedside,
And said Behold Miss Bailey, &c.
Avaunt, Miss Bailey, then he cry'd,
Your face looks white and mealy;
Dear Captain Smith, the ghost reply'd,
You've used me ungenteely;
The coroner's quest goes hard with me,
Because I've acted fraily;
And parson Biggs won't bury me,
Though I am dead Miss Bailey, &c.
Poor ghost, says he, since you and I
Accounts must once and all close,
I have got a one pound note
In my regimental small clothes,
Will ⟨bribe⟩ the sexton for your grave.
The ghost then vanish'd gaily,
Crying, Bless you, wicked Captain Smith,
Remember poor Miss Bailey, &c.