“I must talk frankly. This is chafing ointment: in it there is mustard, pepper, cinnamon and ginger. Rub it on his part to make the sap rise but remember to wipe it away before he uses it, or your insides will sting. It is something any wife could make so there is no need for secrecy. Pretend it is only to give him pleasure.” Frankie nodded, as eager to learn as the good child at her psalter. “Have warm meats prepared for him: hens, capons, young doves, sparrows, mountain birds and lambs. Also, eggs, asparagus and quinces. He may object but encourage the eating of parsnips and turnips, they provoke lust and nourish good seed. Also, any white foods like milk puddings, artichokes and shellfish. Of course, the stones of male animals are very potent, be they of bulls, bucks or boars, and sparrows’ skulls and bones, crushed and ground with their meat, are all good; these foods stimulate an appetite for venery and fill the body with seed. This,” I said, handing Frankie another pot, “is to rub on his privy member at any time he will allow it and especially just before the act; use it after the chafing ointment. Rub it on your own privitie too, for it provokes lust and improves fruitfulness.”

Frankie pulled out the cork and sniffed. “It smells strong.”

“Lust smells strong. Be not too clean if you wish to stir him up.”

“What is it?”

“Crushed and powdered brain of crane mixed with goose fat and the grease of a fox’s stones together with dried hare’s womb. Your husband has an excess of the cold humors, it is very marked in him. He needs to be warmed up. All that I have given you, of advice and ointment, is easily found. This,” I said, holding up a small bottle from the highest shelf, “is brewed nowhere else but here and is very secret.” I looked at her before handing it over, to be sure she had understood to tell no one. She nodded. “Put three drops in his food or drink. It will force his yard erect and make it more likely that you will conceive a boy, especially if you lie on your right side after he has put his seed in you. Give him too much and it will blister and burn his body, cause him to pass blood, then bring delirium and death.”

Frankie held it with the very tips of her fingers. “I am giving him poison.”

“It is medicine in the correct dose.”

Very carefully, she placed the pots in her hanging pocket. The tiny vial she wrapped first in her handkerchief before gingerly placing it in the pocket and tying the drawstring very tight.

“Thank you,” she said, rather formally.