The quarto published by bookseller Richard Bonian is undated, but probably followed the registration by a small gap and appeared later in 1608.
The title page states that the drama was acted by the Children of the Chapel, and assigns the authorship to "T.
"[1] The five "gallants" of the play's title are frauds, poseurs, and con men—a pickpocket, pimp, pawnbroker, cheat, and whoremonger—who compete with the protagonist, Fitzgrave, for the affections of Katherine, a wealthy orphan.
Between the two groups of ne'er-do-wells, Middleton provides a vigorous satire on the manners and mores of London society of the day.
[2] A customer enters Frip's pawnshop and attempts to pawn the lower half of a gentlewoman's gown.
Primero says he will divulge the secret of the trick if Frip will agree to supply clothing for "The Novice", a "courtesan" (prostitute) who has recently entered his brothel.
Goldstone tells Bungler that he is also Mistress Newcut's cousin, and that he has also been invited to her home for dinner that afternoon.