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 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 XXXXX every man a gift , bade them return to Rome .
In Like after against as by of on to with