Hi,

Clearly the standard opening stanza (above) published in Gomme's children's game versions (late 1800s) is a reworking of text of "Madam."

This excerpt sung by the Sergeant, a character in a Plough play for Lincolnshire in 1923, is directly taken from "Madam" except in the lady's response "handsome man" has been changed to "nice young man."

The "Plough Jacks’" Play from Kirmington, Lincs. - R.J.E.Tiddy (1923) pp.254-257 (excerpt).

{Sergeant's Song.}

Sergeant

    Madam, I've got gold and silver
    Madam I've got house and land
    Madam I've got world and treasure,
    Everything at thy command--

Lady

    What care I for your gold and silver
    What care I for your house and land
    What care I for your world and treasure
    All I want is a nice young man.

Among the cast of characters in this "wooing play" are the Fool (Bold Tom/Tom Fool), Sergeant or Recruiting Sergeant, the Lady (Lady Bright and Gay).

In his "Mummers' Wooing Plays in England," Charles Read Baskervill presents a number of related antecedents from the early 1800s, which in theme are similar to Madam and the wooing or plough plays. Common text, as above, is not found.

The common theme is: A maid is wooed by an older man (sometimes the leader of the play) who offers her a variety of gifts. She rejects his advances. In "The Scornful Maid" upon her continued refusal he breaks out: "Then fare you well, thou scornful Dame." This is reminiscent of "Madam" and also 8b. "Courting Case."

Richie