Philtre

Philtre, a love-potion, a draught supposed to have the virtue of exciting in the person who drinks it love for him or her who administers it. Magical rites were used in their preparation, and they were freely employed in classic times. In many cases noxious drugs found a place among the ingredients. There is a legend (probably unfounded) that the death of Lucretius was due to the effects of a love-drink of this kind administered by his wife.