Original: O Ned, sweet Ned! speak to thy mother, boy!
Modern: Oh Ned, sweet Ned! Please speak to your mother, my boy!

Original: Canst thou not speak? O traitors! murderers!
Modern: Can’t you speak? Oh you traitors! You murderers!

Original: They that stabb’d Caesar shed no blood at all,
Modern: The men who stabbed Caesar didn’t shed any blood at all,

Original: Did not offend, nor were not worthy blame,
Modern: They did nothing wrong and weren’t worthy of blame,

Original: If this foul deed were by to equal it:
Modern: If this horrible crime could be compared to it:

Original: He was a man; this, in respect, a child:
Modern: Caesar was a grown man; this victim, in comparison, was just a child:

Original: And men ne’er spend their fury on a child.
Modern: And men never unleash their anger on a child.

Original: What’s worse than murderer, that I may name it?
Modern: What’s worse than “murderer” that I could call you?

Original: No, no, my heart will burst, and if I speak:
Modern: No, no, my heart will break if I keep talking:

Original: And I will speak, that so my heart may burst.
Modern: But I will speak, even if it breaks my heart.

Original: Butchers and villains! bloody cannibals!
Modern: You butchers and criminals! You bloodthirsty cannibals!

Original: How sweet a plant have you untimely cropp’d!
Modern: What a beautiful flower you have cut down too soon!

Original: You have no children, butchers! if you had,
Modern: You have no children, you butchers! If you did,

Original: The thought of them would have stirr’d up remorse:
Modern: Thinking of them would have made you feel guilty:

Original: But if you ever chance to have a child,
Modern: But if you ever happen to have a child,

Original: Look in his youth to have him so cut off
Modern: Expect that in his youth he will be killed

Original: As, deathmen, you have rid this sweet young prince!
Modern: Just like you executioners have destroyed this sweet young prince!

In Act V, Scene 5 of Henry VI Part 3, King Edward IV celebrates his victory and the restoration of his throne at the royal court. Edward enters with Queen Elizabeth, Clarence, Gloucester (Richard), Hastings, and a nurse carrying the infant Prince Edward. The king revels in his triumph, having defeated his enemies and secured the crown, and takes joy in his young son and heir. He directs attention to the baby prince, proclaiming the continuation of the Yorkist line and expressing his happiness at the peace that has finally come to England after years of civil war.

However, Richard of Gloucester’s aside reveals his dark intentions, as he kisses the child while privately plotting to remove all obstacles between himself and the throne, including this innocent nephew. Edward orders celebrations and declares his intent to enjoy the fruits of peace after so much conflict. He commands that they proceed to France to bring back his sister Margaret and celebrate their victories. The play concludes with Edward’s optimistic pronouncements about the future prosperity of his reign, though Richard’s sinister musings cast a shadow over these celebrations and foreshadow the events that will unfold in Richard III.

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.