The Story of Venus and Tannhäuser: A Romantic Novel

in which is set forth an exact account of the manner of State held by Madam Venus, Goddess and Meretrix, under the famous Hörselberg, and containing the Adventures of Tannhäuser in that Place, his Repentance, his Journeying to Rome and Return to the Loving Mountain.
Only a portion of this work, Beardsley's most ambitious literary effort, has hitherto been printed, with the title Under the Hill . The present work is a complete transcript of the whole of the manuscript as originally projected by Beardsley. It has been deemed advisable, owing to the freedom of several passages, to issue only a limited number of copies for the use of those literary students who are also admirers of Beardsley's wayward genius.
La chaleur du brandon Venus. Le Roman de la Rose , v. 22051.
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TO THE MOST EMINENT AND REVEREND PRINCE GIULIO POLDO PEZZOLI CARDINAL OF THE HOLY ROMAN CHURCH TITULAR BISHOP OF S. MARIA IN TRASTAVERE ARCHBISHOP OF OSTIA AND VELLETRI NUNCIO TO THE HOLY SEE IN NICARAGUA AND PATAGONIA A FATHER TO THE POOR A REFORMER OF ECCLESIASTICAL DISCIPLINE A PATTERN OF LEARNING WISDOM AND HOLINESS OF LIFE THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED WITH DUE REVERENCE BY HIS HUMBLE SERVITOR A SCRIVENER AND LIMNER OF WORLDLY THINGS WHO MADE THIS BOOK AUBREY BEARDSLEY
Most Eminent Prince ,
I know not by what mischance the writing of epistles dedicatory has fallen into disuse, whether through the vanity of authors or the humility of patrons. But the practice seems to me so very beautiful and becoming that I have ventured to make an essay in the modest art, and lay with formalities my first book at your feet. I have, it must be confessed, many fears lest I shall be arraigned of presumption in choosing so exalted a name as your own to place at the beginning of these histories; but I hope that such a censure will not be too lightly passed upon me, for, if I am guilty, 'tis but of a most natural pride that the accidents of my life should allow me to sail the little pinnace of my wit under your protection.