for the Lancastrian dead . As the counting continues , Margaret comes forward and sits with Elizabeth and York . At first Margaret is not willing to give up on her cursing of the Yorkists , but then when she understands Elizabeth ’ s and York ’ s pain and they in return sympathize with her , she finally gives in and her voice becomes one with theirs in cursing Richard :
Duchess of York : O Harry ’ s wife , triumph not in my woes ! God witness with me , I have wept for thine .
Queen Elizabeth : O thou well skill ’ d in curses , stay awhile , And teach me how to curse mine enemies !
Queen Margaret : Forbear to sleep the nights , and fast the days ; Compare dead happiness with living woe ; Think that thy babes were fairer than they were , And he that slew them fouler than he is : Bettering thy loss makes the bad causer worse : Revolving this will teach thee how to curse . ( Act 4 , Scene 4 )
Elizabeth even promises her daughter ’ s hand to Richmond who is about to embark upon the conquest of England from France , an act that is supposed to resolve the bicameral dispute and unite the two warring houses in peace .
Near the end , in yet another elaborate scene that resembles ritual , Shakespeare raises the dead to advance the Tudor Project . On the night before the Battle of Bosworth Field , the dead of both the Lancastrian and the
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