Richard III

h, that deceit should steal such gentle shape
And with a virtuous visor hide deep vice!
He is my son—ay, and therein my shame;
Yet from my dugs he drew not this deceit.

The Duchess of York comforts Clarence's orphaned children, who sense their father is dead. Clarence's young son innocently reveals Richard's manipulation: 'My good Uncle Gloucester told me the King, provoked to it by the Queen, devised impeachments to imprison him; and when my Uncle told me so, he wept, and pitied me, and kindly kissed my cheek. Bade me rely on him, as on my father, and he would love me dearly as a child.' The Duchess recognizes the horror—her own son using false tears to manipulate orphaned children: 'Ah! that Deceit should steal such gentle shape, and with a virtuous visor hide deep vice. He is my son, I, and therein my shame, yet from my dugs, he drew not this deceit.' Queen Elizabeth enters in wild grief—King Edward has died. The scene becomes a chorus of mourning: the Queen for her husband, the children for their father Clarence, the Duchess for both her sons. 'I am the mother of these griefs,' she laments. Rivers urges focusing on crowning young Prince Edward. Richard enters with Buckingham, performing sympathy. He kneels to his mother asking her blessing—she gives it with pointed irony: 'God bless thee, and put meekness in thy breast, Love Charity, Obedience, and true Duty.' Richard dryly notes she forgot to wish him long life. Buckingham suggests bringing the young prince to London with only a small escort—ostensibly to prevent conflict, actually to isolate him. After everyone leaves, Richard and Buckingham reveal their true plan: 'to part the Queen's proud kindred from the prince.' Richard calls Buckingham 'My other self, my counsel's consistory, my oracle, my prophet' and agrees to go separate the prince from his protectors. The trap is set.