Prologue: The reviser states that he has tried his best to preserve the original play.

I.i: Leon listens as Malfort explains that all of his advances towards Clarinda, a maid of Caliste, have been scorned. Leon offers interpose on Malfort's behalf. When Malfort leaves, Leon reveals his own interest in the girl. Malfort and Clarinda return, Malfort imploring Clarinda to listen to what Leon has to say. Malfort leaves them alone. They begin to kiss, and mock Malfort for his stupidity and naiveté. Before Malfort returns, Leon reminds Clarinda that using Malfort will come in handy. Clarinda is anxious to use Malfort to destroy Caliste, who knows of her incestuous relationship with her cousin, Leon. Malfort re-enters, and Clarinda allows him to tie her shoe. Caliste, wife of Cleander, shocked to see her servant, Clarinda, acting in such a manner, interrupts them. Alone with the girl, Caliste reminds Clarinda that he has also been leading on Lisander, a noble gentleman. Clarinda states that she will hear no more of Lisander's love. Left alone, Caliste laments that her soul has been divided; she secretly loves Lisander. She is, thus, overly determined to marry Clarinda to Lisander, but has other pressing matters: her brother, Lidian, and his friend, Clarange, have returned from their travels, both hopeful of winning Olinda, a beautiful maiden.

I.ii: Cleander enters with Lidian and Clarange, who have sportingly decided to allow Olinda to choose between them. Caliste, Olinda, and Clarinda enter. Olinda has not been able to decide, so she issues a challenge: she will marry last man to visit her. Upon this, Olinda, Caliste, and Clarinda leave. Lidian and Clarange are stunned. Unable to figure out how to be last, both decide to give up the chase: Clarange deciding to return home, and Lidian stating that he will be abroad. Caliste returns, but is interrupted soon after by Malfort, who brings news that her father, Dorilaus, has arrived. Dorilaus enters, wounded, and tells how his party was attacked in a forest. Why were dramatically saved by a stranger, someone named Lisander.

II.i: Lisander orders his servant, Lancelot, to discretely deliver a letter to Clarinda. As Lancelot leaves, Clarange enters. Clarange confesses his affection for Olinda, and that his best friend, Lidian, is his rival. He continues to tell how disheartened he is over the challenge Olinda gave. He does not want to be away from her, but if he sees her, he will loose the contest. Alcidon, a friend of Lidian, enters. He has come to deliver a challenge on behalf of Lidian. Clarange agrees to the duel with Lidian, and asks Lisander to be is second. Lisander agrees, although in an aside he expresses concern that Lidian is the brother of the woman he hopes to win. We now know that Lisander aims not at Clarinda, but at Caliste.

II.ii: Malfort continues to pursue Clarinda, who toys with his affections. A fortuneteller (Lancelot in disguise) enters. Lancelot begins to read Clarinda's palm. He states that she has "laine crooked," and because of that has lost her maidenhead. Clarinda is impressed with his skills, and demands to know more. He further reveals that there is a knight, Lisander, who wants to seduce Caliste. He then pays her two hundred crowns to deliver the letter, and act as Lisander's intermediary.

II.iii: Lidian and Clarange enter, prepared for the duel. They begin to fight, but are interrupted by Lisander. He entreats the men to think of what they are doing. He speaks of the disappointment heaven must feel in seeing two friends spilling blood in the name of love. Lidian and Clarange agree to cancel the duel.

II.iv: Dorilaus and Cleander enter. They are discussing the duel and its rumoured outcome: they have heard that all the parties involved were killed. Dorilaus encounters Olinda, and blames her for the duel. Alcidon, Clarinda, and Beronte, Cleander's brother, enter with news that all four men have survived. Caliste is approached by Clarinda, who states that Lisander wishes to see her. Caliste suggests that perhaps it might be more appropriate for her husband and father to be included in any visit. But Clarinda insists that Lisander only wishes to see her, and alone. Caliste says she will think on it. Before leaving, Clarinda gives Caliste the letter Lisander had written her.

III.i: Having delivered the letter to Caliste, Clarinda now discusses with her own lover Leon, her plan for ruining Caliste. Leon leaves. Dorilaus and Cleander enter, but before that can see Caliste, Clarinda explains that her lady is in private seclusion, still recovering from the rumor that her brother Lidian was killed in a duel with Lisander.

III.ii: Lancelot escorts Lisander to Caliste's house. Clarinda takes Lisander into the house for a secret rendezvous with Caliste.

III.iii: Clarinda leads Lisander to Caliste's room and leaves, intending to spend the night with Leon. Lisander approaches a curtain and pulls it back to reveal a sleeping Caliste. Caliste awakens, and Lisander tells her of his love and affection. Caliste is shocked, and asks if he would have her break her bonds of marriage. (Why she is shocked, considering his letter of intent is never explained.) Lisander responds that he would have her do no such thing, but then asks if he may kiss her hand. She allows him. They then kiss. Lisander draws forth a pistol, asking Caliste to do away with him before his passion gets the best of his self-control. Before she can respond, there are noises from within. Lisander hides behind a curtain, just as Cleander enters. Assuring him that she is fine, Cleander leaves. With the coast now clear, Caliste entreats Lisander to leave before they are caught. As he goes, Cleander returns. Just then, a pistol shot is heard from without. Dorilaus enters, followed by Malfort, Clarinda, and servants. Malfort reports that there must have been a dozen "bravely arm'd" men attempting to capture the suspicious intruder.

III.iv: A Friar tells Clarange that Lidian has turned hermit. A Novice, who sings a doleful song of Lidian's own composition, accompanies the Friar. Clarange asks the Friar of Lidian's whereabouts, so that he may have time to do something for his friend. The Friar complies.

III.v: Dorilaus, Cleander, and Chamberlaine enter a room. Dorilaus and Cleander entreat the Chamberlain to fetch the Host. They are informed that the Host has been dead for three weeks now. Both men express regret at this news, then ask the Chamberlain to go and fetch them wine. A lute is struck from within. Both men swear they hear the voice of their supposedly dead host. The apparition of the host (the g/host?) appears, importuning that his body be buried "Amongst good fellowes." They agree. Cleander asks the Host appear to him again "some houres before my death, / To give me warning." The ghost promises that if it is within his power, he will do so.

III.vi: Caliste asks Clarinda whom she slept with last night; Clarinda in turn asks Caliste about her meeting with Lisander. Caliste is outraged. (Why Caliste is surprised that Clarinda knows about the assignation remains unclear.) She leaves and Clarinda reminds herself that if her revenge is to work, she must be more discrete. She decides that it is time to manipulate Beronte, by filling his head with scandalous rumours concerning his sister-in-law and Lisander.

IV.i: Alcidon asks Beronte if Lisander is at Cleander's house. Beronte tells him he is not. Alcidon explains that Lisander was met with a challenge by two men and took both their lives. As a result, the king has set a price upon Lisander's head and Lisander is now "every where pursu'd." Beronte insists that Alcidon stay the night. Alcidon agrees. (Note: Why Lisander would be at Cleander's house is not explained. How and with whom Lisander's newest quarrel involved is not explained.)

IV.ii: Cleander enters, ready to die. He is not certain why, but he has a feeling that his death will come soon. The ghost appears to fulfill his promise. He tells Cleander that within a few hours he will be dead. Cleander is left to ponder as to how he will die. Soon, Dorilaus, Caliste, Olinda, Beronte, Alcidon, Clarinda, and Servants enter. Cleander pulls Dorilaus aside to tell him the grim news of the ghost's visitation. Dorilaus dismisses the visitation as nonsense, and tells Cleander to have a drink with the rest of them. Cleander joins, but is wary.

IV.iii: Clarinda enters, explaining to Leon that she is pregnant with his child. Leon proposes they run off together. He has found Lisander's sword, and is feeling romantic and impetuous. Clarinda agrees, but first she must deal with Malfort. She tells Leon to be on his way. As he leaves, Malfort enters dressed in armor. Clarinda explains that she has asked him here tonight to kill Leon. Malfort agrees. Clarinda leaves, and Cleander enters, mumbling that he cannot sleep. Malfort, believing him to be Leon, challenges him. Clarinda and Leon re enter. Leon stabs Cleander with Lisander's sword. Malfort faints. Clarinda takes Lisander's sword from Leon and places it in Malfort's hand. She orders Leon to flee. Dorilaus enters with Alcidon, Beronte, and Servants. Malfort is carried away to "the Rack." Caliste and Olinda enter. Caliste is told that her husband has been murdered. Malfort has been caught, but additional evidence (the sword) points towards Lisander. Since they suspect she was having an affair with him, she has been implicated as well. Dorilaus vows that his daughter will be brought to court to answer any charges.

IV.iv: In the forest, Lisander laments that he has killed two men and now must flee the city. A hermit enters: Lisander recognizes Lidian, now free from thoughts of Olinda. Lidian's friend, the Friar enters, with yet another friar (Clarange in disguise). The Friar tells Lidian that Clarange is dead. Alcidon then enters with news of that Lisander and Caliste has been implicated in the murder of Cleander. This is a shock to Lisander, who decides to save Caliste.

V.i: Dorilaus is trying to build a defense for his daughter, who insists upon her innocence. He has also tried his influence at court, but Lemure, a Courtier, tells Dorilaus that the king does not believe Caliste's version of the events. Lisander and Alcidon enter. Dorilaus informs Lisander that he does not blame him for his son-in-law's death, nor for any feelings of affection he may hold for his daughter. He entreats Lisander to save his own life. Lisander refuses.

V.ii: Lidian tells Olinda of Clarange's death. Clarange, disguised as a friar, enters with a letter. Clarange gives the letter to Olinda. The letter states that Clarange has won the contest. By tricking Lidian into believing that he was dead, Clarange became the last man to come to Olinda, thus making him the winner. Clarange removes his disguise. Olinda and Lidian both feel they have been tricked.

V.iii: Caliste vows to undergo her trial with honor. The King of France, Lemure, and attendants enter. Things are not going well: Beronte gives testimony of Caliste's adultery; Clarinda is called as a witness. She states that she brought Lisander to Caliste's room. Caliste denies that anything unseemly happened during her "midnight conference." Before she can continue, Lisander and Alcidon enter. Lisander states that he and Caliste are innocent. Clarinda becomes noticeably nervous. On the verge of fainting from his torture, Malfort is carried off. A guard enters with Leon, who confesses that he found Lisander's sword, and that Clarinda has been out to frame Lisander and Caliste all along. The king has Leon and Clarinda taken away, but pronounces Lisander and Caliste innocent. Beronte apologizes for his false accusations. The King orders that Lisander build a monument for the men he has killed, and marry Caliste in one year's time. At this, Lidian, no longer happy as a hermit, enters, accusing "Clarange/Of falsehood in true friendship." Clarange steps forward saying that he has found a new love, the Church, and would be honored if he could marry Olinda and Lidian. The king is pleased and closes court.

Epilogue: The reviser is doubtful the play's integrity was preserved, but believes he has done his best.

Cleander, husband to Caliste, has a close relationship with his father-in-law, Dorilaus. He is visited by and Apparition, who warns him of his impeding death. He is killed by Leon, who is sleeping with his own cousin, Clarinda. The point of the murder is to frame Lisander and Caliste.

Lidian, brother to Caliste and in love with Olinda, is disheartened by having to avoid the woman he loves so that he may win her. He challenges Clarange to a duel to settle matters, but is convinced by Lisander not to fight. He takes to the forest to live as a hermit. When counseling Lisander, he is given news of Clarange's death and decides to return home to see Olinda. After Clarange wins the contest, he brings his case before the king, citing what he considers unsportsman like conduct. But Clarange reveals that he has become a friar, leaving Lidian to marry Olinda.

Clarange, rival to Lidian for the love of Olinda. He agrees to a duel with Lidian to settle matters, but is convinced by Lisander not to fight. He hears that Lidian has become a hermit. He uses this to trick his friend and win Olinda: Clarange fakes his death so that Lidian will be forced to return to Olinda. Disguised as a friar, he accompanies Lidian back to court. Once Lidian sees Olinda, Clarange enters, thus being the last to see her. Deciding that he prefers the monastic life, Clarange gives up Olinda, and asks that he be allowed to marry her to Lidian.

Dorilaus, father to Lidian and Caliste, arrives at the house of his daughter wounded. Attacked by men in the forest, he was saved by Lisander. He is with Cleander the first time the ghost appears. After Cleander's death, he tries to defend his daughter and Lisander. He believes they are both innocent.

Lisander, a gentleman in love with Caliste. He stops Clarange and Lidian from dueling over Olinda, but himself kills two men in a duel. His involvement with Caliste is complex: it begins when Lisander saves Caliste's father, Dorilaus, from assassins in the forest. Soon after, Lisander writes to Caliste declarations of love. He then bribes Caliste's maid, Clarinda, to allow him entry to Caliste's room at midnight. But Clarinda has set him up. Having been informed by Clarinda of an intruder, the servants see Lisander leaving the house. Sometime after, he kills two men in a duel, forcing him to flee the city. He meets Lidian in the forest, and then Alcidon, who tells him that Cleander has been murdered, and that his-Lisander's-sword has been found near the corpse. (Leon has found his sword, which is placed near the corpse by Clarinda.) Given the circumstances, both he and Caliste have been charged with murder. He returns to save his lady and clear his name. At trial, he is able to clear Caliste and himself of all charges by convincing Leon to testify. He is ordered by the king to build a monument in honor of the two men he killed, and to marry Caliste in one year's time.

Alcidon, a friend to Lidian, serves as a second to Lidian in a duel that Lisander stops. He tells Lisander that Cleander has been murdered and now Caliste must stand trial.

Beronte, brother to Cleander, schemes against Caliste with the help of Clarinda. He offers testimony confirming Caliste's adultery and then apologizes after Leon tells the truth.

Lemure, a Courtier, informs Dorilaus that he has tried his best to get the king to listen to the claims that his daughter is innocent. He serves as bailiff at court proceedings and acts as the king's informer.

Leon, lover and cousin of Clarinda, helps set up Caliste as an adulterer. He kills Cleander, and gives Lisander's sword to Clarinda. Shocked by the murder of Cleander, Malfort faints, giving time to Clarinda and Leon to place false evidence at the crime scene. He is told that Clarinda is having his child, and proposes they run off together, but then decides to confess all to the court so that Caliste and Lisander may go free.

Malfort, a steward of Cleander, entreats Leon to aid him in his pursuit of Clarinda. Fooled into believing that Clarinda may have feelings for him, he dresses up in armor in order to fight off "a man" who also lays claim to Clarinda. After Leon kills Cleander, Malfort is framed for the act. When Malfort faints, Clarinda places Lisander's sword in his hands. He is arrested for the murder of Cleander and tortured. He is removed from court when he cannot retain his composure.

Lancelot, servant to Lisander, goes into exile with his master. He leaves to find fresh horses for their journey, only to return and to discover that Lisander has decided to return to the city to face trial.

The Friar, delivers news to Lidian of Clarange's supposed death, along with the letter that entreats Lidian to return and claim Olinda as his. He helps Clarange find Lidian, who has taken a monastic life in the forest.

An Apparition, the ghost of a Host, first appears to Cleander and Dorilaus while the two are having a drink. Cleander makes him promise to return just before Cleander is to die. The ghost agrees, and duly appears just before Leon kills him.

A Novice sings a song written by Lidian.

Caliste, or Calista in the title of Massinger's play, is wife to Cleander. She attempts to create a union between Clarinda and Lisander, all the while being pursued by Lisander. At midnight, Lisander visits her. Caliste awakens, and Lisander tells her of his love and affection. Caliste is shocked, and asks if he would have her break her bonds of marriage. (Why she is shocked, considering his letter of intent is never explained.) Lisander responds that he would have her do no such thing, but then asks if he may kiss her hand. She allows him. They then kiss. Lisander draws forth a pistol, asking Caliste to do away with him before his passion gets the best of his self-control. Before she can respond, there are noises from within. Lisander hides behind a curtain. Cleander enters. Assuring him that she is fine, Cleander leaves. With the coast now clear, Caliste entreats Lisander to leave before they are caught. Soon after, Cleander is found dead, with Lisander's sword close by. Caliste and Lisander are accused of murdering Cleander. Her father's attempts to clear her are ineffective, but she is exonerated by the testimony of Lisander and Leon. Her maid and Leon are implicated for the murder, and the king tells her that she can marry Lisander in one year's time.

Olinda, a rich heir-and love interest for both Lidian and Clarange-issues a challenge to both men: she will love only the last man to visit her. The two men go into exile. Lidian comes to her with news that Clarange is dead. But Clarange then enters, thus winning the bet. Clarange then gives her up for a monastic life. He offers to marry Olinda and Lidian.

Clarinda, a lustful woman and maid to Caliste, plays Leon and Malfort off each other in order to avenge herself on Lisander, who has abandoned her for Caliste. She arranges a secret meeting between Caliste and Lisander, only to raise the house with an alarm. Lisander escapes. But Leon uses his sword to kill Cleander, thus implicating Lisander in the death of Caliste's husband. But Clarinda is betrayed by her lover, Leon, who confesses to the murder. The king has her and her conspirator Leon taken away, while setting Lisander and Caliste free of all charges.

Chamberlain, Guards, Novice, Servants. These characters appear in various sections of the play, but have no real impact on the bones of the plot.