英语有声儿童童话故事 皇帝的新装 第5章

“I certainly am not stupid!”thought the messenger. “It must be, that I am not fit for my good, profitableoffice! That is very odd; however, no one shall know anything about it.” Andaccordingly he praised the stuff he could not see, and declared that he wasdelighted with both colors and patterns. “Indeed, please your ImperialMajesty,” said he to his sovereign when he returned, “the cloth which theweavers are preparing is extraordinarily magnificent.”

The whole city was talking of thesplendid cloth which the Emperor had ordered to be woven at his own expense.

And now the Emperor himselfwished to see the costly manufacture, while it was still in the loom.Accompanied by a select number of officers of the court, among whom were thetwo honest men who had already admired the cloth, he went to the craftyimpostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor’s approach, went onworking more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a singlethread through the looms.

“Is not the work absolutely magnificent?” saidthe two officers of the crown, already mentioned. “If your Majesty will only bepleased to look at it! What a splendid design! What glorious colors!” and atthe same time they pointed to the empty frames; for they imagined that everyoneelse could see this exquisite piece of workmanship.