Act II, Scene 2: The Princes' Arrival — Richard III

The Duchess of York sits with Clarence's orphaned children, who keep asking whether their father is dead. The boy repeats what Gloucester told him: the Queen provoked the King to imprison Clarence, and Uncle Gloucester wept, kissed his cheek, and told him to rely on him as on a father. The Duchess sees the performance for what it is and admits her son wears virtue like a mask.

Queen Elizabeth enters with her hair loose, announcing Edward is dead. Grief becomes a chorus: the Queen for her husband, the children for Clarence, the Duchess for both sons. Dorset urges her to accept God's will; Rivers says crown the young prince and send for him at once. Richard arrives with Buckingham, kneels to his mother for a blessing, and notes dryly that she forgot to wish him long life.

Buckingham proposes fetching the prince from Ludlow with only a small train so old wounds do not reopen. Rivers and Hastings agree. After the court leaves, Buckingham tells Richard they must not stay home: he will create occasion on the road to part the Queen's proud kindred from the prince. Richard calls him oracle and cousin and vows to follow like a child toward London.