Speeches (Lines) for Iras
in "Antony and Cleopatra"
Total: 18

1

I,2,98

Charmian. He means in flesh.

Iras. No, you shall paint when you are old.

2

I,2,124

Domitius Enobarus. Mine, and most of our fortunes, to-night, shall
be—drunk to bed.

Iras. There's a palm presages chastity, if nothing else.

3

I,2,126

Charmian. E'en as the o'erflowing Nilus presageth famine.

Iras. Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot soothsay.

4

I,2,131

Soothsayer. Your fortunes are alike.

Iras. But how, but how? give me particulars.

5

I,2,133

Soothsayer. I have said.

Iras. Am I not an inch of fortune better than she?

6

I,2,136

Charmian. Well, if you were but an inch of fortune better than
I, where would you choose it?

Iras. Not in my husband's nose.

7

I,2,145

Charmian. Our worser thoughts heavens mend! Alexas,—come,
his fortune, his fortune! O, let him marry a woman
that cannot go, sweet Isis, I beseech thee! and let
her die too, and give him a worse! and let worst
follow worse, till the worst of all follow him
laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a cuckold! Good
Isis, hear me this prayer, though thou deny me a
matter of more weight; good Isis, I beseech thee!

Iras. Amen. Dear goddess, hear that prayer of the people!
for, as it is a heartbreaking to see a handsome man
loose-wived, so it is a deadly sorrow to behold a
foul knave uncuckolded: therefore, dear Isis, keep
decorum, and fortune him accordingly!

8

III,11,2140

Eros. Nay, gentle madam, to him, comfort him.

Iras. Do, most dear queen.

9

III,11,2147

Charmian. Madam!

Iras. Madam, O good empress!

10

III,11,2157

Eros. The queen, my lord, the queen.

Iras. Go to him, madam, speak to him:
He is unqualitied with very shame.

11

IV,15,3249

Charmian. O, quietness, lady!

Iras. She is dead too, our sovereign.

12

IV,15,3251

Charmian. Lady!

Iras. Madam!

13

IV,15,3253

Charmian. O madam, madam, madam!

Iras. Royal Egypt, Empress!

14

V,2,3426

(stage directions). [Exit]

Iras. Royal queen!

15

V,2,3625

(stage directions). [Whispers CHARMIAN]

Iras. Finish, good lady; the bright day is done,
And we are for the dark.

16

V,2,3656

Cleopatra. Farewell, and thanks.
[Exit DOLABELLA]
Now, Iras, what think'st thou?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, shalt be shown
In Rome, as well as I. mechanic slaves
With greasy aprons, rules, and hammers, shall
Uplift us to the view; in their thick breaths,
Rank of gross diet, shall be enclouded,
And forced to drink their vapour.

Iras. The gods forbid!

17

V,2,3665

Cleopatra. Nay, 'tis most certain, Iras: saucy lictors
Will catch at us, like strumpets; and scald rhymers
Ballad us out o' tune: the quick comedians
Extemporally will stage us, and present
Our Alexandrian revels; Antony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I shall see
Some squeaking Cleopatra boy my greatness
I' the posture of a whore.

Iras. O the good gods!

18

V,2,3667

Cleopatra. Nay, that's certain.

Iras. I'll never see 't; for, I am sure, my nails
Are stronger than mine eyes.