JACK

The bawd-gallant Primero needs to dress Novice, his new courtesan, attractively, so he hires a recently pawned gown from Frip, the broker-gallant, in return for a lesson in how to cheat at cards. The heiress Katherine is the object of many suitors, including five gallants and Fitzgrave. Fitzgrave gives 1607 her a chain of pearl, which is almost immediately stolen for the pocket-gallant Pursenet. Katherine wishes to be left alone for a month, so Fitzgrave decides to spend the time in disguise, spying on his rivals, the gallants, in the hope of discovering something to their discredit. He joins them in visiting Primero’s brothel, where his pocket is picked and a jewel he received from Katherine is stolen. Pursenet-gives the pearls and the jewel to a courtesan, but afterwards she gives them to the whore-gallant Tailby, whom she loves. The gallants repair to a tavern. The cheating gallant Goldstone steals two beakers, replacing them with replicas of lesser value; he also steals a goblet, using sealing-wax to stick it to the underside of the table so that it will not be noticed when sought. Tailby gambles, but keeps losing and pawns his clothes to Frip to get more stake-money. The next day, he receives new clothes and money sent by importunate mistresses; one of them wants an assignation with him in her husband’s absence. He goes off to see her, but first tells Pursenet, who ambushes him on the way and robs him of his money and the pearls. Pursenet recognizes the latter, and realizes that they must be sharing the courtesan. He also attempts to rob Fitzgrave, but retires wounded when Fitzgrave fights back. Pursenet confronts the courtesan with the chain of pearls; she makes an excuse, claiming they were borrowed by her brother, and takes them back. The gallants return to the tavern. Pursenet’s boy is caught picking Bungler’s pocket. Pursenet intervenes and threatens the boy with Bridewell, whereupon Bungler relents to save the boy from such a corrupting environment. Goldstone purloins Fitzgrave’s cloak and pawns it to Frip, who goes out wearing it. Pursenet mistakes him for Fitzgrave and wounds him in reprisal for the injury he sustained during the robbery. Fitzgrave recognizes the cloak and demands that Goldstone return it; but Goldstone says it was stolen from him. Bungler is invited to dine with Mistress Newcut, with an open invitation to bring friends; she was hoping to entertain Tailby, but Bungler brings Goldstone instead, and he steals a valuable…