the weavers are making, is
extraordinarily fine.'

"It was the talk of the whole town.

"The Emperor could no longer restrain his curiosity to see this
costly stuff; so, accompanied by a chosen train of courtiers, among
whom were the two trusty men who had so admired the work, off he
went to the two cunning cheats. As soon as they heard of the
Emperor's approach they began working with all diligence, although
there was still not a single thread on the loom.

"'Is it not magnificent?' said the two officers of the crown, who
had been there before. 'Will your majesty only look? What a
charming pattern! What beautiful colours!' said they, pointing to
the empty frames, for they thought the others really could see the
stuff.

"'What's the meaning of this?' said the Emperor to himself, 'I see
nothing! Am _I_ a simpleton! I not fit to be Emperor? Oh,' he cried
aloud, 'charming! The stuff is really charming! I approve of it
highly;' and he smiled graciously, and examined the empty looms
minutely. And the whole suite strained their eyes and cried
'Beautiful!' and counselled his Majesty to have new robes made out
of this magnificent stuff for the grand procession that was about
to take place. And so it was ordered.

"The day on which the procession was to take place, the two men
brought the Emperor's new suit to the palace; they held up their
arms as though they had something in their hands, and said, 'Here
are your Majesty's knee-breeches; here is the coat, and here the
mantle. The whole suit is as light as a cobweb; and when one is
dressed, one would almost fancy one had nothing on: but that is
just the beauty of this stuff!'

"'Of course!' said all the courtiers, although not a single one of
them could see any thing of the clothes.

"'Will your imperial Majesty most graciously be pleased to undress?
We will then try on the new things before the glass.'

"The Emperor allowed himself to be undressed, and then the two
cheats did exactly as if each one helped him on with an article of
dress, while his Majesty turned himself round on all sides before
the mirror.

"'The canopy which is to be borne above your Majesty in the
procession, is in readiness without,' announced the chief master of
the ceremonies.

"'I am quite read