“We are pleased to hear that,” said the two weavers, and described to him
the colours and explained the curious pattern. The old minister listened
attentively, that he might relate to the emperor what they said; and so he
did.
Now the swindlers asked for more money, silk and gold-cloth, which they
required for weaving. They kept everything for themselves, and not a thread
came near the loom, but they continued, as hitherto, to work at the empty
looms.
Soon afterwards the emperor sent another honest courtier to the weavers
to see how they were getting on, and if the cloth was nearly finished. Like
the old minister, he looked and looked but could see nothing, as there was
nothing to be seen.
“Is it not a beautiful piece of cloth?” asked the two swindlers, showing
and explaining the magnificent pattern, which, however, did not exist.
“I am not stupid,” said the man. “It is therefore my good appointment for
which I am not fit. It is very strange, but I must not let any one know it;”
and he praised the cloth, which he did not see, and expressed his joy at the
beautiful colours and the fine pattern. “It is very excellent,” he said to the
emperor.
Everybody in the whole town talked about the precious cloth. At last the
emperor wished to see it himself, while it was still on the loom. With a
number of courtiers, including the two who had already been there, he went
to the two clever swindlers, who now worked as hard as they could, but
without using any thread.
“Is it not magnificent?” said the two old statesmen who had been there
before. “Your Majesty must admire the colours and the pattern.” And then
they pointed to the empty looms, for they imagined the others could see the
cloth.
“What is this?” thought the emperor, “I do not see anything at all. That is
terrible! Am I stupid? Am I unfit to be emperor? That would indeed be the
most dreadful thing that could happen to me.”
