` But I was ! ' replied the spirit . ' I do n't believe it ! ' answered Virgilius . ` Well , I 'll just get in and show you , ' said the spirit , and after turning and twisting , and curling himself up , then he lay neatly packed into the hole . Then Virgilius drew the bolt , and , picking the books up under his arm , he left the cave . For the next few weeks Virgilius hardly ate or slept , so busy was he in learning the magic the books contained . But at the end of that time a messenger from his mother arrived in Toledo , begging him to come at once to Rome , as she had been ill , and could look after their affairs no longer . Though sorry to leave Toledo , where he was much thought of as showing promise of great learning , Virgilius would willingly have set out at once , but there were many things he had first to see to . So he entrusted to the messenger four pack-horses laden with precious things , and a white palfrey on which she was to ride out every day . Then he set about his own preparations , and , followed by a large train of scholars , he at length started for Rome , from which he had been absent twelve years . His mother welcomed him back with tears in her eyes , and his poor kinsmen pressed round him , but the rich ones kept away , for they feared that they would no longer be able to rob their kinsman as they had done for many years past . Of course , Virgilius paid no attention to this behaviour , though he noticed they looked with envy on the rich presents he bestowed on the poorer relations and on anyone who had been kind to his mother . Soon after this had happened the season of tax-gathering came round , and everyone who owned land was bound to present himself before the emperor . Like the rest , Virgilius went to court , and demanded justice from the emperor against the men who had robbed him . But as these were kinsmen to the emperor he gained nothing , as the emperor told him he would think over the matter for the next four years , and then give judgment . This reply naturally did not satisfy Virgilius , and , turning on his heel , he went back to his own home , and , gathering in his harvest , he stored it up in his various houses . When the enemies of Virgilius heard of this , they assembled together and laid siege to his castle . But Virgilius was a match for them . Coming forth from the castle so as to meet them face to face , he cast a spell over them of such power that they could not move , and then bade them defiance .
After which he lifted the spell , and the invading army slunk back to XXXXX , and reported what Virgilius had said to the emperor .
Rome Toledo Virgilius day first kinsman kinsmen left tax-gathering years