Richard stews in inner turmoil as Edward celebrates the Yorkist victory and George jockeys for position. When the question of the captive Henry's fate is raised, Richard is forced to make an irrevocable choice.
"Why was he ever born?" they will cry--
… den Tag deiner Geburt verfluchen …
Ils honniront ton existen…
Perché sei nato?!
— Вопросят они: зачем ты родился!