Act I - Tower Green. An afternoon in 1580

Phoebe, daughter of Sergeant Meryll is seated alone at her spinning wheel. She sings sadly of love (When Maiden Loves).

Wilfred Shadbolt, the head jailer, enters and pays court to Phoebe, but she rejects him. She has fallen in love with Colonel Fairfax, a prisoner due to be wrongly beheaded this very day for "sorcery." The yeomen, warders of the Tower, now enter with some townspeople and sing of their past deeds of valour (Tower Warders under Orders).

When the crowd leaves, Dame Caruthers, chief housekeeper, enters. Phoebe curses the Tower because of Fairfax's impending fate, but Dame Carruthers tells her how dear it is to her, and vital for England's safety (When Our Gallant Norman Foes).

Phoebe is left alone with her father. He explains that her brother Leonard is to join the Tower warders and may come with a reprieve for Fairfax. He arrives without the reprieve, and they decide to help the Colonel, a brave comrade who had saved Meryll's life, to escape. Phoebe will steal the key from Shadbolt, and they will disguise Fairfax as Leonard, who will disappear meantime. They sing of their determination to do the deed (Alas, I Waver to and fro).

Fairfax enters under guard. The Lieutenant (governor of the Tower) greets him sadly as an old friend, but Fairfax is philosophical and faces death calmly (Is Life a Boon?).

He now begs a favour of the Lieutenant. To thwart his wicked cousin who wants to inherit his estate, and is responsible for his present plight, Fairfax must get married before his execution - anyone will do. Reluctantly, the Lieutenant agrees. The townsfolk now rush in with two strolling players, Jack Point and Elsie Maynard, and threaten to throw them in the river if the two don't entertain them (Here's a Man of Jollity). Point and Elsie sing a popular ballad (The Merryman and His Maid).

The crowd enjoys the song but turns ugly again, and the two players are only saved from rough treatment by the arrival of the Lieutenant. He tempts them with 1-- crowns if Elsi will agree to marry Fairfax. Dazzled by the money, they accept (Temptation).

Elsie is led away blindfolded to be married and the Lieutenant, thinking he may employ Point, questions him about his trade. Point replies in song (I've Quip and Crank).

Point gives a few examples of his jokes and then they leave. Elsie comes back, perturbed at the thought of her unknown husband going to his death ('tis Done! I am a Bride).

Elsie leaves and Shadbolt and Phoebe enter. To distract him while she steals his keys she sings of how she would love him if... She gets the keys to her father who goes to release Fairfax, returning them to her before the song ends (Were I Thy Bride).

Fairfax, who has shaved off his beard, enters in yeoman uniform. Meryll just has time to instruct him before he meet his new comrades. They eagerly greet the heroic "Leonard," famous for his bravery. Fairfax behaves modestly - but is pleased when his pretty "sister" greets him with kisses. Shadbolt asks him to guard Phoebe with brotherly care and they both accept with secret amusement. (Oh Sergeant Meryll is it True?) (To They Fraternal Care).

The bell breaks into this jolly scene, tolling the execution hour. While the solemn preparations are being made and the townsfolk assemble, "Leonard" and two yeomen are sent to fetch the prisoner. Elsie enters and begs mercy of the Lieutenant (The Prisoner Comes, Oh, Mercy!).

The men return with the news that Fairfax has escaped. All react in their own way - the Lieutenant - rage, Shadbolt - terror, Elsie and Point - consternation, Meryll and Phoebe - dissimulation. The Lieutenant offers 1--- crowns for Fairfax's recapture and the crowd rush off. Elsie faints and is tended by "Leonard." As the headsman stands impassively at his post, the curtain falls (My Lord, My Lord!).

Act II - Two days later. Late evening, Tower Green

Dame Carruthers and the womenfolk reproach the shamefaced yeomen (Night Has Spread Her Pall). They leave. A depressed Point enters and is asked by Shadbolt to teach him the jester's trade. Point warns him of some of the drawbacks (Oh! A Private Buffoon!).

Point agrees to teach him if he will swear that he has shot Fairfax trying to swim across the river. (Elsie would become a "widow" and so free to marry Point.) Shadbolt agrees and they seal the bargain in song (Hereupon We're Both Agreed).

Fairfax enters. He is upset since now he is free, but married to an unknown woman, and he is strongly attracted to Elsie, who has been recovering in "his father's" house (Free from His Fetters Grim).

Sergeant Meryll enters with Dame Carruthers and her niece Kate, who tells how she heard Elsie in her sleep speaking of being wedded to a man condemned to die (Strange Adventure).

Fairfax now knows that Elsie is his bride. He decides to test her by wooing her as Leonard. She dutifully rejects him although she has fallen in love with him. Suddenly a shot is heard. All rush in and Shadbolt, supported by Point, tells them he has killed Fairfax (Who Fired that Shot?).

Point now tries to propose to Elsie. He is clumsy, and Fairfax, Phoebe and Elsie tell him so in song (A Man Who Would Woo a Fair Maid). Point has offended Fairfax by describing the man "shot" by Shadbolt in villainous terms. Fairfax now woos Elsie, and he, not Point, is accepted. He and Elsie are happy, but Phoebe and Point are shattered (When a Wooer Goes A'Wooing).

From Phoebe's jealousy, Shadbolt guesses who her "brother" really is and to keep him quiet she agrees to marry him. Dame Carruthers also learns the truth and Sergeant Meryll is dolefully obliged to propose to her - she is rapturous (Rapture! Rapture!).

Elsie, ready to marry her Leonard, is hailed by the womenfolk and sings a trio with Phoebe and Dame Carruthers. To her horror, the Lieutenant announces that Fairfax has been reprieved and is now coming to claim her. He enters and, eyes averted, she submits, bidding farewell to happiness. Only then does she see who Fairfax really is. Point enters, interrupitng the general rejoicing. Heartbroken, he recalls the song of "The Merryman and His Maid" and falls lifeless as the curtain descends (Comes the Pretty Young Bride).