有声儿童童话故事 皇帝的新装 第6章

“How is this?” said the Emperorto himself. “I can see nothing! This is indeed a terrible affair! Am I asimpleton, or am I unfit to be an Emperor? That would be the worst thing thatcould happen—Oh! the cloth is charming,” said he, aloud. “It has my completeapprobation.”

And he smiled most graciously,and looked closely at the empty looms; for on no account would he say that hecould not see what two of the officers of his court had praised so much. Allhis retinue had now strained their eyes, hoping to discover something on thelooms, but they could see no more than the others; nevertheless, they allexclaimed, “Oh, how beautiful!” and advised his majesty to have some newclothes made from this splendid material, for the approaching procession.“Magnificent! Charming! Excellent!” resounded on all sides; and everyone wasuncommonly gay. The Emperor shared in the general satisfaction; and presentedthe impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood, to be worn in theirbutton-holes, and the title of “Gentlemen Weavers.”

The rogues sat up the whole ofthe night before the day on which the procession was to take place, and hadsixteen lights burning, so that everyone might see how anxious they were tofinish the Emperor’s new suit. They pretended to roll the cloth off the looms;cut the air with their scissors; and sewed with needles without any thread inthem. “See!” cried they, at last. “The Emperor’s new clothes are ready!”