In which a company of Londoners, fleeing the plague, establish themselves in the forests near Epping and are met with suspicion and charity in equal measure as they endeavour to live honestly and avoid bringing infection to the countryside. Through the kindness of local gentlemen and prudent leadership, they struggle against poverty, cold, and the spreading sickness, ultimately seeking shelter in an old house and reflecting the broader plight of many displaced souls who roamed the lands in search of refuge.

In which our travellers, encountering a company of distressed refugees fleeing the plague, engage in cautious parley and mutual reassurance as they seek shelter and safety outside the city. They face suspicion and denial from country townsfolk, leading to a tense negotiation in which the travellers feign a martial posture to secure passage and provisions whilst maintaining their plea for mercy and understanding amidst the horrors of the visitation.

In which the melancholy effects of the plague upon both body and mind are briefly recounted, and the plight of three poor men resolved to escape the contagion by journeying from the city is related with careful particularity. Their prudent preparations and cautious travels through watchful towns illustrate the hardships faced by those striving to preserve life amidst the devastation.

In which the narrator accompanies a waterman to Greenwich to observe the array of ships moored in the river, serving as refuge for those seeking safety from the plague, and reflects on the fearful consequences of the contagion infiltrating these floating sanctuaries. He further considers the tragic plight of Londoners, particularly women in childbirth and infants, who suffered grievously from neglect and superstition amid the dire circumstances, revealing a populace overwhelmed by desperation and the dread of death.

In which the lamentable desolation of London’s streets and fields is observed during the height of the plague, revealing the fearful retreat of its inhabitants and the tireless efforts of many to manage the dead and provide spiritual comfort. A poignant encounter with a devoted waterman tending his infected family from afar illustrates both the merciless reach of the pestilence and the steadfast courage borne of faith and duty amidst the calamity.

In which the city is discovered wholly unprepared for the disastrous visitation, leaving the poor and tradespeople in pitiable distress amidst halted commerce and labour, yet charitable funds and the Lord Mayor’s prudent relief efforts strive to sustain the afflicted populace. The dreadful plague’s toll overwhelms official accounts, with multitudes perishing in secrecy and solitude beyond the reach of record, revealing a somber portrait of calamity and human endurance.

In which the grim realities of the plague’s visitation are laid bare through the cries and confessions of despairing sufferers, the fearful ministrations of nurses, and the harrowing tales of death and misrule amid deserted streets and shuttered homes. Amidst these horrors, the courage and cunning of the poor, the grim labours of burial men, and a curious tale of mistaken death offer a somber glimpse into the city’s stricken heart.

In which the narrative recounts the profane mockery and atheistic rudeness of certain men amid the plague’s visitation, observing the divine judgement that befell them, whilst reflecting on the inefficacy and harm of forcibly shutting up infected houses and the hardships faced in procuring provisions during the calamity. The account further details the author's own fearful yet resolute efforts to safeguard his household, supported by the counsel of a physician friend, amidst the dreadful scenes of death and devotion witnessed in the afflicted city.

In which the author reflects upon the varied human responses to the plague, from desperate attempts to escape confinement to the resolute self-isolation of prudent families, and recounts the heartrending spectacle of mass burial pits overcrowded with victims. He also bears witness to the sorrow of a bereaved gentleman and the impious levity of some who, in the face of overwhelming calamity, mock the sufferings of others, revealing the stark contrasts of character amid such a dire visitation.

In which the strict orders and regulations concerning infected houses, the burial of the dead, and the keeping of streets clean are described in detail, revealing the harsh measures taken to control the plague and prevent its spread within the city. The narrative also relates the various desperate and sometimes violent attempts by inhabitants to escape enforced quarantines, illustrating the conflicted human responses to such severe confinements.