Love Potions Through the Ages: A Study of Amatory Devices and MoresWedeck, Harry E.
History
Love Potions Through the Ages: A Study of Amatory Devices and Mores
Wedeck, Harry E.
Aphrodisiacs -- History; Erotic literature
In _Today_, a popular British weekly magazine, an article appeared early
in 1962, by a woman, accusing the contemporary man of having lost his
virility. She spoke of ‘sexually moribund men,’ of man’s failure, in
consequence, as a marriage partner, and of his amatory deficiencies.
A response to these challenges appeared in a later issue. It was written
by a factory worker who, from his own experience and that of his
acquaintances and fellow-workers, refuted the first attack. He denied
physical exhaustion. He asserted that the typical worker, by virtue of
his constant application to his job, is kept continuously physically fit
and capable. His knowledge, too, of the range of amatory procedures and
practices has been widened by war contacts, by interchange of views and
attitudes with many groups, foreigners, visitors, refugees. He added
that the freedom of expression on such matters was an additional
encouragement toward enlightenment. If anything, this typical worker
concluded, it was the woman who was hesitant, indifferent, and
un-cooperative.
* * * * *
In Gilbert and Sullivan’s _The Sorcerer_, a farcical treatment of the
Black Arts, there is a scene involving love philtres and their effects:
Mr. Wells: Love-philtre—we’ve quantities of it ...
Alexis: I have sent for you to consult you on a very important
matter. I believe you advertise a Patent Oxy-Hydrogen
Love-at-first-sight Philtre?
Mr. Wells: Sir, it is our leading article. (_Producing a
phial_).
Alexis: Now I want to know if you can confidently guarantee it
as possessing all the qualities you claim for it in your
advertisement?
Mr. Wells: Sir, we are not in the habit of puffing our goods.
Ours is an old-established house with a large family connection,
and every assurance held out in the advertisement is fully
realized. (_Hurt_).
Aline (_aside_): Oh, Alexis, don’t offend him! He’ll change us
into something dreadful—I know he will!
Alexis: I am anxious from purely philanthropical motives to
distribute this philtre, secretly, among the inhabitants of this
village. I shall of course require a quantity. How do you sell
it?
Mr. Wells: In buying a quantity, sir, we should strongly advise
you taking it in the wood, and drawing it off as you happen to
want it. We have it in four-and-a-half and nine gallon
casks—also in pipes and hogsheads for laying down, and we deduct
10 per cent for prompt cash.
Alexis: I should mention that I am a Member of the Army and Navy
Stores.
Mr. Wells: In that case we deduct 25 per cent.
Alexis: Aline, the villagers will assemble to carouse in a few
minutes. Go and fetch the tea-pot.
Aline: But, Alexis—
Alexis: My dear, you must obey me, if you please. Go and fetch
the tea-pot.
Aline (_going_): I’m sure Dr. Daly would disapprove of it.
(_Exit Aline_).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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