The Hill of Venus is a historical novel by Nathan Gallizier, first published in 1913. It is divided into three books—The Sacrifice, The Pilgrimage and The Bondage—and moves through scenes including Rome and Vallombrosa. It offers an atmospheric tale of romance and destiny for readers who enjoy old-fashioned historical fiction.
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Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
THE HILL OF VENUS "He stared spellbound" (See page 108) THE HILL OF VENUS BY NATHAN GALLIZIER AUTHOR OF "Castel del Monte," "The Sorceress of Rome," and "The Court of Lucifer" PICTURES BY E. H. GARRETT DECORATIONS BY P. VERBURG L. G. PAGE & COMPANY BOSTON MDCCCCXIII
Copyright, 1913 By L. C. Page & Company (INCORPORATED) All rights reserved First Impression, March, 1913 THE COLONIAL PRESS C. H. SIMONDS & CO., BOSTON, U. S. A. "Thou art all shrouded, in a gauzy veil, Sombrous and cloudlike, all except that face Of subtle loveliness, though weirdly pale. Thy soft, slow-gliding footsteps leave no trace And stir no sound. Thy drooping hands infold Their frail white fingers, and unconscious hold A poppy-wreath: thine anodyne of grace. Thy hair is like a twilight round thy head, Thine eyes are shadowed wells from Lethestream, With drowsy, subterranean waters fed; Obscurely deep without a stir or gleam. The gazer drinks in from them with his gaze An opiate charm, to curtain all his days, A passive languor of oblivious dream." —JAMES THOMSON.
CONTENTS BOOK THE FIRST The Sacrifice Chapter Page I. The Summons 3 II. The Pledge 19 III. Vistas 29 IV. Proserpina 50 V. Waves of Destiny 65 VI. The Broken Troth 76 VII. The Passage 84 BOOK THE SECOND The Pilgrimage I. The Vigil of Santa Maria Assunta 91 II. The Passing of Conradino 99 III. Tonsure and Thorn 105 IV. The Call 111 V. The Dells of Vallombrosa 114 VI. The Duke of Spoleto 121 VII. Rome! 134 BOOK THE THIRD The Bondage I. The White Lady 141 II. The Feast at the Capitol 150 III. Quaint Wayfarers 162 IV. The Pawn of the Church 173
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