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 Rome , and reported what Virgilius had said to the emperor . Now the emperor was accustomed to have his lightest word obeyed , almost before it was uttered , and he hardly knew how to believe his ears . But he got together another army , and marched straight off to the castle . But directly they took up their position Virgilius girded them about with a great river , so that they could neither move hand nor foot , then , hailing the emperor , he offered him peace , and asked for his friendship . The emperor , however , was too angry to listen to anything , so Virgilius , whose patience was exhausted , feasted his own followers in the presence of the starving host , who could not stir hand or foot . Things seemed getting desperate , when a magician arrived in the camp and offered to sell his services to the emperor . His proposals were gladly accepted , and in a moment the whole of the garrison sank down as if they were dead , and Virgilius himself had much ado to keep awake . He did not know how to fight the magician , but with a great effort struggled to open his Black Book , which told him what spells to use . In an instant all his foes seemed turned to stone , and where each man was there he stayed . Some were half way up the ladders , some had one foot over the wall , but wherever they might chance to be there every man remained , even the emperor and his sorcerer . All day they stayed there like flies upon the wall , but during the night Virgilius stole softly to the emperor , and offered him his freedom , as long as he would do him justice . The emperor , who by this time was thoroughly frightened , said he would agree to anything Virgilius desired . So Virgilius took off his spells , and , after feasting the army and bestowing on every man a gift , bade them return to Rome . And more than that , he built a square tower for the emperor , and in each corner all that was said in that quarter of the city might be heard , while if you stood in the centre every whisper throughout Rome would reach your ears . Having settled his affairs with the emperor and his enemies , Virgilius had time to think of other things , and his first act was to fall in love ! The lady 's name was Febilla , and her family was noble , and her face fairer than any in Rome , but she only mocked Virgilius , and was always playing tricks upon him . To this end , she bade him one day come to visit her in the tower where she lived , promising to let down a basket to draw him up as far as the roof . Virgilius was enchanted at this quite unexpected favour , and stepped with glee into the basket . It was drawn up very slowly , and by-and-by came altogether to a standstill , while from above rang the voice of Febilla crying , ` Rogue of a sorcerer , there shalt thou hang ! '
And there he hung XXXXX the market-place , which was soon thronged with people , who made fun of him till he was mad with rage .
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