Original: Ah, so much interest have I in thy sorrow
Modern: Ah, I have as much right to share in your grief

Original: As I had title in thy noble husband!
Modern: As I had claim to your noble husband!

Original: I have bewept a worthy husband’s death,
Modern: I have cried over the death of my worthy husband,

Original: And lived by looking on his images:
Modern: And kept living by looking at reminders of him:

Original: But now two mirrors of his princely semblance
Modern: But now two reflections of his royal appearance

Original: Are crack’d in pieces by malignant death,
Modern: Have been shattered to pieces by cruel death,

Original: And I for comfort have but one false glass,
Modern: And for comfort I have only one distorted mirror,

Original: Which grieves me when I see my shame in him.
Modern: Which makes me sad when I see my disgrace reflected in him.

Original: Thou art a widow; yet thou art a mother,
Modern: You are a widow, but you are still a mother,

Original: And hast the comfort of thy children left thee:
Modern: And you have the comfort of your children still with you:

Original: But death hath snatch’d my husband from mine arms,
Modern: But death has grabbed my husband away from my arms,

Original: And pluck’d two crutches from my feeble limbs,
Modern: And ripped away two supports from my weak body,

Original: Edward and Clarence. O, what cause have I,
Modern: Edward and Clarence. Oh, what reason do I have,

Original: Thine being but a moiety of my grief,
Modern: Your grief being only half of mine,

Original: To overgo thy plaints and drown thy cries!
Modern: To exceed your complaints and overwhelm your cries!

In Act 2, Scene 2 of “Richard III,” the Duchess of York, Queen Elizabeth, and the children of Clarence gather at court, all mourning their respective losses. The scene opens with the young boy and girl lamenting their father Clarence’s death, while the Duchess grieves for both her sons—Clarence who is dead and Edward IV who lies dying. Queen Elizabeth arrives, distressed and weeping, and after an exchange about their shared sorrows, she reveals that King Edward IV has died. The grief intensifies as the women recognize they have now lost husbands, fathers, and sons, with the Duchess particularly noting that she has outlived both of her royal sons.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, arrives with other nobles including Buckingham, Derby, Hastings, and Ratcliffe. After acknowledging the family’s grief with seeming sympathy, the discussion turns practical: arrangements must be made to bring the young Prince Edward from Ludlow to London for his coronation. Richard suggests a small escort to avoid alarming the realm, while Rivers and other relatives of the Queen’s family argue for a larger retinue befitting the prince’s status. Gloucester warns against the danger of the Queen’s kindred having too much power, citing past grievances, and Buckingham supports limiting the escort size. Despite the Queen’s concerns, it is agreed that the prince will be brought to London quickly with a modest company, and the council is set to meet the following day to finalize arrangements.

Richard III opens with Richard, Duke of Gloucester, revealing his villainous intentions to claim the throne of England. Despite his physical deformities, he is determined to remove all obstacles to his coronation. He begins by manipulating his brother Clarence into imprisonment and death, convincing King Edward IV that Clarence poses a threat. Richard also courts Lady Anne, widow of Prince Edward (whom Richard killed), successfully wooing her despite having murdered both her husband and father-in-law. When King Edward IV dies, Richard is named Lord Protector for the young Prince Edward, heir to the throne.

Richard systematically eliminates his rivals and supporters of the rightful heirs. He has Lord Hastings executed for opposing his claim to the throne, and convinces the Duke of Buckingham to help him secure power. Richard and Buckingham spread rumors about the legitimacy of Edward IV’s children, claiming they are bastards. They stage a public scene where Richard reluctantly accepts the crown after appearing to refuse it. Once crowned King Richard III, he orders the murder of the two young princes (Edward V and his brother Richard, Duke of York) in the Tower of London, though their deaths occur offstage.

Richard’s reign becomes increasingly tyrannical and unstable. The Duke of Buckingham eventually rebels against him and is captured and executed. Richard attempts to consolidate power by proposing to marry Elizabeth of York, his niece, but faces growing opposition. Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, lands in England with an army to claim the throne. The play culminates in the Battle of Bosworth Field, where Richard is haunted by the ghosts of all those he has murdered. Richmond defeats and kills Richard in battle, then marries Elizabeth of York to unite the warring houses of Lancaster and York, establishing the Tudor dynasty and bringing peace to England.