NARRATOR: They went on talking of the cloth.

They named the colors, and described the

peculiar pattern. The old Minister listened carefully, for he wished to repeat to the Emperor all
that was said.

WEAVERS: We need more silk and more gold thread to use in our work.

NARRATOR: But all that was given to them they put into their pockets. Not a single strand of
silk was ever put on the loom. The Emperor sent another faithful friend to see the cloth and
inquire how soon the clothes would be ready. But this man fared no better than the Minister. He
stood before the empty looms, and looked and looked and looked, but he saw no cloth.

WEAVERS: Isn’t this beautiful stuff?. The colors are gorgeous!!!

EMPEROR´S FRIEND: Dear, dear! . Surely I am not stupid. It must be that I am unfit for my
office. That is very strange. But I must not let it be known.

NARRATOR: Then he said.

EMPEROR’S FRIEND: Ah!! The design is most unusual; and the color is marvelous. I shall tell
the Emperor what fine progress you are making.

NARRATOR: Soon, every one in the city was talking about the wonderful cloth that the two
weavers were making. The Emperor thought that he would like to see the beautiful cloth while it
was still upon the looms. With a number of his courtiers he went to visit the two rogues, who
were weaving rapidly day after day without any thread. Among the courtiers were the two men
who had

already been there. They thought that the others would see something upon the empty looms, so
they began to cry out at once.

MINISTER AND EMPEROR´S FRIEND: Look, your Majesty. Do you see the beautiful
design?. And the color, isn’t it gorgeous?

EMPEROR: What is this?. I see nothing at all!. Am I not fit to be Emperor?. If that were known,
I should be deposed.

NARRATOR: Then he said.

EMPEROR: Yes, yes, it is very pretty. I could not be better pleased.

NARRATOR: He smiled and nodded his head, and stared at the empty looms. His courtiers, too,
looked and looked, but saw no more than the others. Yet they all cried..

COURTIERS: It is wonderful.
NARRATOR: They asked the Emperor to wear a suit made from this cloth in a great procession
that was son to take place.The Emperor gave each of the rogues a royal badge to wear, and called
them the Imperial Court Weavers.

WEAVERS: The day of the procession is getting nearer, we have to work with might and main.
We have to stay up the whole night before.

NARRATOR: Through the shining windows the people could see them hard at work. They took
yards of nothing down from the empty looms. They made cuts in the air with big scissors. They
sewed strong stitches without any thread; and at last they said.

WEAVERS: The clothes are ready.

EMPEROR: This is wonderful!. Let me put on my new suit.

NARRATOR: The rogues lifted their arms as if holding something.

WEAVERS: See! . Here is the coat!! Here is the cape!. Here are the trousers!. The cloth is as
light as a spider’s web. You may move as freely as if you had nothing on. That is the beauty of it.

COURTIERS: It is marvelous.

NARRATOR: And yet all the time they saw nothing, for there was nothing.

WEAVERS: Will your Majesty be pleased to take off your suit?. Then we will put on the new
garments before the long mirror.

NARRATOR: The Emperor took off his clothes, and the rogues pretended to put on each new
garment as it was ready. They wrapped him about, they buttoned and they tied.

COURTIERS: How well his Majesty looks in his new suit!. What a becoming style!!What
beautiful colors!

NARRATOR: The Emperor turned round and round before the mirror, and looked and looked,
and nodded his head.

OFFICER: They are waiting outside with the canopy which is to be carried over your Majesty
during the procession.