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 over the market-place , which was soon thronged with people , who made fun of him till he was mad with rage . At last the emperor , hearing of his plight , commanded Febilla to release him , and Virgilius went home vowing vengeance . The next morning every fire in Rome went out , and as there were no matches in those days this was a very serious matter . The emperor , guessing that this was the work of Virgilius , besought him to break the spell . Then Virgilius ordered a scaffold to be erected in the market-place , and Febilla to be brought clothed in a single white garment . And further , he bade every one to snatch fire from the maiden , and to suffer no neighbour to kindle it . And when the maiden appeared , clad in her white smock , flames of fire curled about her , and the Romans brought some torches , and some straw , and some shavings , and fires were kindled in Rome again . For three days she stood there , till every hearth in Rome was alight , and then she was suffered to go where she would .
But the emperor was wroth XXXXX the vengeance of Virgilius , and threw him into prison , vowing that he should be put to death .
In after as at for over than till to upon