Hi,

The version quoted by Broadwood in the last post was from Shropshire Folk-lore, a Sheaf of Gleanings - Part 2, page 552, by Charlotte Sophia Burne, Georgina Frederica Jackson, 1885. Burne's principal Shropshire singers were Jane Butler, Harriet Dowley, and Sally Withington. Here's the text with the Burne/Jackson notes:

"The Disdainful Lady" Sung by Harriet Dowley, of Edgmond, who knew no title to it. I have not met with it in any collection, but the first stanza slightly resembles a game-rhyme given ante (p. 509), and one in Folio Lore Journal, Vol. I. p. 387.

Yonder stands a comely creature
With her breast as white as snow,
I'll go court her for her feature,
Though her answer'll perhaps be no.

"Madam, I am com'n a-courting,
If your favour I can gain,
And if you will entertain me,
Perhaps that I may come again."

"Sit you down, young man, you're welcome,
If your face I see no more,
For I will have a handsome young man,
Whether he be rich or poor."

"Madam, I've got gold and silver,
Madam, I've got house and land,
Madam, I've got great stores of riches,
They all shall be at your command."

"What care I for gold and silver
What care I for your house and land,
What care I for your your treasures,
If I can have but a handsome man?"

"Madam, you talk much of beauty,
It's a flower that soon decays,
The finest flower in   the summer,
It doth soonest fade away.

The ripest apple's soonest rotten,
The hottest love is soonest cold,
A young man's word is soon forgotten,
So, pretty maid, don't be so bold.

"But fare you well, my dearest creature,
Since I have no more to say."
"O turn again, young man, I'll have you!"
But his answer was, "Nay, nay."
* * * *

Richie