'The Hill of Venus' is the story of man named Walter, "who by strange adventure fell into the power of Venus, and who, repenting of his life with her, was fain to return to the world and amend all, but might not; for his repentance was rejected of men, by whomsoever it was accepted". This study is one of thirteen preliminary tracing states for woodblocked engravings. In the right foreground stands Walter talking to an aged priest. On the left is a company of pilgrims stretching away into the distance. This design probably illustrates the lines:
"The old man turned to him: 'My son', he said,
'Come with us, and be of us! turn not back
When once thine hand upon the plough is laid'".