Hi,

I'll start by posting one of the fundamental broadsides. This one, forwarded by Steve Gardham, is from item 11, The Tom Tit Part 1, of 17 songs and this is the 4th song, titled "The Lovely Creature." It is also titles after the first line "Yonder Sits a Lovely Creature." Here is the text:

THE LOVELY CREATURE

Yonder sits a lovely creature,
Who is she? I do not know,
I'll go court her for her features,
Whether her answer be "Ay" or "no."

"Madam, I am come to court you,
If your favor I can gain,
Madam if you kindly use me,
May be I may call again."

Well done," said she, "Thou art a brave fellow,
If your face I'll ne'er see more,
I must and I will have a handsome young fellow,
Altho' it keep me mean and poor.

"Madam I have rings and diamonds,
Madam I have got houses and lands
Madam I've got a world of treasure,
All shall be at your command."

What care I for rings and diamonds?
What care I for houses and lands?
What care I for worlds of treasure?
So I have but a handsome man."

Madam, you talk much of beauty,
Beauty it will fade away,
The prettiest flower that grows in summer,
Will decay and fall away.

First spring cowslips then spring daisies,
First comes night love, then comes day,
First comes an old love then comes a new one,
So we pass the time away.

A number of traditional versions have used a similar title including Butterworth's c. 1907 version with Mrs. Cranstone's text titled "Yonder Stands a Lovely Creature."

Richie