Original: The army of the queen hath got the field:
Modern: The queen’s army has won the battle:

Original: My uncles both are slain in rescuing me;
Modern: Both of my uncles have been killed while trying to save me;

Original: And all my followers to the eager foe
Modern: And all my soldiers, facing the aggressive enemy,

Original: Turn back and fly, like ships before the wind
Modern: Have turned around and run away, like ships blown by the wind

Original: Or lambs pursued by hunger-starved wolves.
Modern: Or like lambs being chased by starving wolves.

Original: My sons, God knows what hath bechanced them:
Modern: As for my sons, only God knows what has happened to them:

Original: But this I know, they have demean’d themselves
Modern: But this much I know, they have conducted themselves

Original: Like men born to renown by life or death.
Modern: Like men destined to earn fame whether they live or die.

Original: Three times did Richard make a lane to me.
Modern: Three times Richard fought his way through to reach me.

Original: And thrice cried ‘Courage, father! fight it out!’
Modern: And three times he shouted “Have courage, father! Keep fighting!”

Original: And full as oft came Edward to my side,
Modern: And just as often Edward came to fight beside me,

Original: With purple falchion, painted to the hilt
Modern: With his curved sword stained purple, covered all the way to the handle

Original: In blood of those that had encounter’d him:
Modern: In the blood of those who had fought against him:

Original: And when the hardiest warriors did retire,
Modern: And when even the bravest soldiers were retreating,

Original: Richard cried ‘Charge! and give no foot of ground!’
Modern: Richard shouted “Attack! and don’t give up an inch of ground!”

Original: And cried ‘A crown, or else a glorious tomb!
Modern: And he shouted “Either we win the crown, or we die gloriously!

Original: A sceptre, or an earthly sepulchre!’
Modern: Either we get the throne, or we get an honorable grave!”

Original: With this, we charged again: but, out, alas!
Modern: With that rallying cry, we attacked again: but, oh no, unfortunately!

Original: We bodged again; as I have seen a swan
Modern: We were pushed back again; just like I’ve seen a swan

Original: With bootless labour swim against the tide
Modern: Swim uselessly against the current

Original: And spend her strength with over-matching waves.
Modern: And exhaust her strength fighting against overpowering waves.

Original: Ah, hark! the fatal followers do pursue;
Modern: Ah, listen! the deadly enemies are still chasing me;

Original: And I am faint and cannot fly their fury:
Modern: And I am weak and cannot escape their rage:

Original: And were I strong, I would not shun their fury:
Modern: And even if I were strong, I would not avoid their fury:

Original: The sands are number’d that make up my life;
Modern: The grains of sand that measure my life are counted;

Original: Here must I stay, and here my life must end.
Modern: I must remain here, and here is where my life must end.

Original: Come, bloody Clifford, rough Northumberland,
Modern: Come on, murderous Clifford, brutal Northumberland,

Original: I dare your quenchless fury to more rage:
Modern: I challenge your endless anger to become even more furious:

Original: I am your butt, and I abide your shot.
Modern: I am your target, and I will stand here and take your best shot.

Henry VI, Part 3 — Act I, Scene 4

In this scene, Richard, Duke of York, finds himself surrounded and captured by Lancastrian forces on the battlefield near Sandal Castle. York has become separated from his sons and his army, and is vastly outnumbered. He is brought before Queen Margaret, Lord Clifford, and Lord Northumberland, along with his captors. Despite being a prisoner, York maintains his defiant bearing, refusing to cower before his enemies. Clifford and Northumberland express their desire for swift revenge against York for his role in the ongoing civil conflict, but Margaret asserts her authority over the situation, insisting that she will dictate the terms of his punishment and humiliation.

Queen Margaret takes center stage as she delivers a prolonged and scathing verbal assault against York before his execution. She taunts him with a cloth soaked in the blood of his young son Rutland, who has just been killed by Clifford, and mockingly places a paper crown upon his head, deriding his claim to the throne. York, though bound and powerless, responds with an equally fierce verbal counterattack, condemning Margaret as cruel and unnatural, particularly targeting her as a woman who has abandoned the qualities of mercy and femininity. After York’s passionate speech, Clifford and Northumberland, along with Margaret, stab him, and he is beheaded, his head to be displayed upon the gates of York.

Henry VI, Part 3 opens with the aftermath of the Battle of St. Albans, where the Yorkists have achieved victory over the Lancastrians. The Duke of York enters Parliament and claims the throne, leading to a confrontation with King Henry VI. A compromise is reached whereby Henry remains king for his lifetime but agrees to disinherit his son Prince Edward in favor of York and his heirs. When Queen Margaret learns of this arrangement, she is furious and raises an army to defend her son’s birthright.

The conflict escalates into full civil war. Margaret’s forces defeat and kill the Duke of York at the Battle of Wakefield, but York’s sons—Edward, George, and Richard—continue the fight. They achieve victory at the Battle of Towton, where King Henry is captured and Edward of York is proclaimed King Edward IV. Henry escapes and flees to Scotland with Margaret and Prince Edward, while Edward IV consolidates his power and marries Elizabeth Woodville, causing tension with his supporter the Earl of Warwick.

Warwick, feeling betrayed by Edward’s marriage, switches sides and allies with Margaret and the exiled Henry VI. With French support, they invade England and briefly restore Henry to the throne while Edward flees to Burgundy. However, Edward returns with an army and reclaims his crown. The final act culminates in the Battle of Tewkesbury, where the Yorkists achieve decisive victory. Prince Edward is killed in battle, Queen Margaret is captured, and Henry VI is murdered in the Tower of London by Richard of Gloucester. The play concludes with Edward IV seemingly secure on the throne, though Richard’s final soliloquy hints at his own future ambitions for the crown.