The Emperor's New Clothes

Many years ago, there was an Emperor, who was so excessively fond of new clothes, that he spent all his money in dress. He did not trouble himself in the least about his soldiers; nor did he care to go either to the theatre or the chase, except for the opportunities then afforded him for displaying his new clothes. He had a different suit for each hour of the day; and as of any other king or emperor, one is accustomed to say, “he is sitting in council,” it was always said of him, “The Emperor is sitting in his wardrobe.”

许多年前，有一位皇帝，他极其喜爱新衣服，把所有的钱都花在了穿戴上。他一点也不关心自己的军队，也不喜欢去看戏或打猎，除非是借这些场合炫耀他的新衣服。他每个钟头都有一套不同的衣服；正如人们通常说别的国王或皇帝“正在议事厅议政”一样，人们总是说他“正在更衣室里”。

Time passed merrily in the large town which was his capital; strangers arrived every day at the court. One day, two rogues, calling themselves weavers, made their appearance. They gave out that they knew how to weave stuffs of the most beautiful colors and elaborate patterns, the clothes manufactured from which should have the wonderful property of remaining invisible to everyone who was unfit for the office he held, or who was extraordinarily simple in character.

在他的都城里，日子过得热闹非凡，每天都有外地人来到宫中。有一天，两个骗子来了，自称是纺织工。他们声称自己会织出颜色最美、花纹最精巧的布料，用这种布料做成的衣服有一种奇妙的特性：凡是不称职的人，或者异常愚蠢的人，都看不见它。

“These must, indeed, be splendid clothes!” thought the Emperor. “Had I such a suit, I might at once find out what men in my realms are unfit for their office, and also be able to distinguish the wise from the foolish! This stuff must be woven for me immediately.” And he caused large sums of money to be given to both the weavers in order that they might begin their work directly.

“这一定是极好的衣服！”皇帝心想。“要是我有这样一套衣服，我就能立刻看出我国中哪些人不称职，也能分辨出聪明人和愚蠢的人！这布料必须立刻为我织造。”于是他下令赏给两位纺织工大量的钱，好让他们立刻动手织造。

So the two pretended weavers set up two looms, and affected to work very busily, though in reality they did nothing at all. They asked for the most delicate silk and the purest gold thread; put both into their own knapsacks; and then continued their pretended work at the empty looms until late at night.

于是这两个假纺织工架起两台织布机，装出十分忙碌的样子干活，其实什么也没做。他们要来了最精细的丝线和最纯的金线，把这些都塞进自己的口袋里；然后继续在空织布机上假装织布，一直忙到深夜。

“I should like to know how the weavers are getting on with my cloth,” said the Emperor to himself, after some little time had elapsed; he was, however, rather embarrassed, when he remembered that a simpleton, or one unfit for his office, would be unable to see the manufacture. To be sure, he thought he had nothing to risk in his own person; but yet, he would prefer sending somebody else, to bring him intelligence about the weavers, and their work, before he troubled himself in the affair.

“我倒想知道纺织工们把我的布料织得怎么样了，”过了些时候，皇帝自言自语道；不过他也颇为为难，因为他想起傻子或不称职的人是看不见这织物的。他固然认为自己本人没什么可担心的；可是他还是想先派个人去打听打听纺织工和他们的活计，然后自己再去过问此事。

All the people throughout the city had heard of the wonderful property the cloth was to possess; and all were anxious to learn how wise, or how ignorant, their neighbors might prove to be.

城里的百姓都听说了这布料的神奇特性，人人都急于想知道自己的邻居究竟是聪明还是愚蠢。

“I will send my faithful old minister to the weavers,” said the Emperor at last, after some deliberation, “he will be best able to see how the cloth looks; for he is a man of sense, and no one can be more suitable for his office than he is.”

“我要派我忠实的老大臣去见纺织工，”皇帝考虑了一番后终于说道，“他最能看出这布料的样子如何；因为他是个有见识的人，没有人比他更称职了。”

So the faithful old minister went into the hall, where the knaves were working with all their might, at their empty looms. “What can be the meaning of this?” thought the old man, opening his eyes very wide. “I cannot discover the least bit of thread on the looms.” However, he did not express his thoughts aloud.

于是这位忠实的老大臣走进大厅，那两个骗子正在空织布机前拼命地干活。“这是怎么回事？”老人心想，眼睛睁得大大的。“我一点线的影子也看不见。”不过他没有把心里话说出来。

The impostors requested him very courteously to be so good as to come nearer their looms; and then asked him whether the design pleased him, and whether the colors were not very beautiful; at the same time pointing to the empty frames. The poor old minister looked and looked, he could not discover anything on the looms, for a very good reason, viz: there was nothing there.

那两个骗子非常客气地请他走近些看织布机，问他是否喜欢这花样，颜色是不是十分美丽；一面说着，一面指着那空空的织机框子。可怜的老大臣看了又看，什么也看不出来，理由很简单：那上面根本什么都没有。

“What!” thought he again. “Is it possible that I am a simpleton? I have never thought so myself; and no one must know it now if I am so. Can it be, that I am unfit for my office? No, that must not be said either. I will never confess that I could not see the stuff.”

“怎么！”他又想道。“难道我竟是个傻子吗？我从来没有这样想过自己；现在也决不能让别人知道，就算我真是这样。难道我不称职吗？不，这话也绝不能说。我决不能承认自己看不见这布料。”

“Well, Sir Minister!” said one of the knaves, still pretending to work. “You do not say whether the stuff pleases you.”

“喂，大臣先生！”一个骗子说道，仍旧装着在干活的样子。“您还没说这布料合不合您的心意呢。”

“Oh, it is excellent!” replied the old minister, looking at the loom through his spectacles. “This pattern, and the colors, yes, I will tell the Emperor without delay, how very beautiful I think them.”

“哦，好极了！”老大臣答道，一面透过眼镜看着织布机。“这花样，这颜色，是的，我一定马上去告诉皇上，说我觉得它们美极了。”

“We shall be much obliged to you,” said the impostors, and then they named the different colors and described the pattern of the pretended stuff. The old minister listened attentively to their words, in order that he might repeat them to the Emperor; and then the knaves asked for more silk and gold, saying that it was necessary to complete what they had begun. However, they put all that was given them into their knapsacks; and continued to work with as much apparent diligence as before at their empty looms.

“那我们真是感激不尽，”骗子们说道，接着他们说出了这假布料的各种颜色，描述了花纹。老大臣仔细听着他们的话，好回去禀报皇帝；随后两个骗子又要了更多的丝线和金线，说是要用来完成他们已经开的头。可是他们把得到的东西全都塞进了自己的口袋，仍旧装出十分卖力的样子在空织布机上干活。

The Emperor now sent another officer of his court to see how the men were getting on, and to ascertain whether the cloth would soon be ready. It was just the same with this gentleman as with the minister; he surveyed the looms on all sides, but could see nothing at all but the empty frames.

皇帝这时又派了另一位大臣去看看这两个人干得怎么样，布料是否很快就能织好。这位大人的情形跟老大臣一模一样；他从各个方向打量织布机，却什么也看不见，只有空空的机架。

“Does not the stuff appear as beautiful to you, as it did to my lord the minister?” asked the impostors of the Emperor's second ambassador; at the same time making the same gestures as before, and talking of the design and colors which were not there.

“难道您觉得这布料不像我们大人觉得的那么美吗？”骗子们问皇帝派来的第二位使者；一面还是做出同样的手势，谈论着那根本不存在的花纹和颜色。

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

“我肯定不是个笨蛋！”这位使者心想。“那么一定是我不称职，配不上这份美差！真是奇怪；不过，这件事谁也不能知道。”于是他把自己看不见的布料大加赞美，说他对花色和图案都十分满意。“启禀陛下，”他回去后对皇帝说道，“纺织工们正在织的布料非常华丽。”

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

整座城里的人都在谈论皇帝自费下令织造的这块华丽布料。

And now the Emperor himself wished 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 the two honest men who had already admired the cloth, he went to the crafty impostors, who, as soon as they were aware of the Emperor's approach, went on working more diligently than ever; although they still did not pass a single thread through the looms.

如今皇帝自己也想去看看这件贵重的织物，趁它还在织布机上的时候。他带着一批朝臣，其中包括已经称赞过这布料的那两位诚实的大人，一起去见那两个狡猾的骗子；骗子们一察觉皇帝驾到，就干得更加卖力，尽管他们仍旧一根线也没穿过织布机。

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

“这活计难道不是极其华丽吗？”两位大人异口同声说道。“请陛下过目！多美的花样！多美的颜色！”一面说，一面指着那空空的机架；因为他们以为别人都能看见这精美绝伦的手艺。

“How is this?” said the Emperor to himself. “I can see nothing! This is indeed a terrible affair! Am I a simpleton, or am I unfit to be an Emperor? That would be the worst thing that could happen—Oh! the cloth is charming,” said he, aloud. “It has my complete approbation.” And he smiled most graciously, and looked closely at the empty looms; for on no account would he say that he could not see what two of the officers of his court had praised so much.

“这是怎么回事？”皇帝心中暗想。“我什么也看不见！这可真是件糟糕的事！难道我是个傻子，还是不配做皇帝？那可就是天大的祸事了——啊！这布料真是漂亮，”他说出声来。“朕十分满意。”于是他极为和蔼地微笑着，仔细端详着那空空的织布机；因为他无论如何也不肯说自己看不见宫中两位大人如此称赞的东西。

All his retinue now strained their eyes, hoping to discover something on the looms, but they could see no more than the others; nevertheless, they all exclaimed, “Oh, how beautiful!” and advised his majesty to have some new clothes made from this splendid material, for the approaching procession. “Magnificent! Charming! Excellent!” resounded on all sides; and everyone was uncommonly gay. The Emperor shared in the general satisfaction; and presented the impostors with the riband of an order of knighthood, to be worn in their button-holes, and the title of “Gentlemen Weavers.”

他的随从们个个都瞪大了眼睛，希望能在织布机上看出点什么来，可是他们看到的并不比别人多；然而大家都异口同声地喊道：“啊，多美啊！”并劝陛下用这块华美的布料做一套新衣，好在即将到来的游行大典上穿。“壮丽！迷人！精美绝伦！”四面八方都是这样的赞叹声；人人都异常欢喜。皇帝也分享着大家的满足；他赐给两个骗子一枚勋章，让他们佩戴在纽扣孔上，并封他们为“御用纺织大师”。

The rogues sat up the whole of the night before the day on which the procession was to take place, and had sixteen lights burning, so that everyone might see how anxious they were to finish 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 in them. “See!” cried they, at last. “The Emperor's new clothes are ready!”

游行前一夜，那两个骗子彻夜未眠，点起十六支蜡烛，好让大家都看见他们急着要赶制好皇帝的新衣。他们装模作样地把布料从织布机上卷下来，用剪刀在空中裁剪，又用没有穿线的针缝纫。“瞧！”他们终于喊道。“皇帝的新衣做好了！”

And now the Emperor, with all the grandees of his court, came to the weavers; and the rogues raised their arms, as if in the act of holding something up, saying, “Here are your Majesty's trousers! Here is the scarf! Here is the mantle! The whole suit is as light as a cobweb; one might fancy one has nothing at all on, when dressed in it; that, however, is the great virtue of this delicate cloth.”

于是皇帝带着满朝文武，来到纺织工那里；骗子们举起双臂，仿佛正托举着什么东西，说道：“这是陛下的裤子！这是围巾！这是外袍！整套衣服轻若蛛网；穿上它，会觉得身上什么都没穿似的；不过这正是这精美布料的绝妙之处。”

“Yes indeed!” said all the courtiers, although not one of them could see anything of this exquisite manufacture.

“正是，正是！”满朝的大臣都齐声说道，尽管他们当中没有一个人能看见这精美的织物。

“If your Imperial Majesty will be graciously pleased to take off your clothes, we will fit on the new suit, in front of the looking glass.”

“陛下若肯屈尊宽衣，我们便可在镜前为陛下试穿这套新衣。”

The Emperor was accordingly undressed, and the rogues pretended to array him in his new suit; the Emperor turning round, from side to side, before the looking glass.

于是皇帝脱下衣服，骗子们装作给他穿上新衣的样子；皇帝在镜子前转来转去。

“How splendid his Majesty looks in his new clothes, and how well they fit!” everyone cried out. “What a design! What colors! These are indeed royal robes!”

“陛下穿上这新衣真是气派非凡，多么合身啊！”众人齐声喊道。“多美的花样！多美的颜色！这真是名副其实的龙袍！”

“The canopy which is to be borne over your Majesty, in the procession, is waiting,” announced the chief master of the ceremonies.

“陛下游行时要用的华盖已经备好了，”礼仪总管禀报道。

“I am quite ready,” answered the Emperor. “Do my new clothes fit well?” asked he, turning himself round again before the looking glass, in order that he might appear to be examining his handsome suit.

“朕已经准备好了，”皇帝答道。“朕这身新衣可合身？”他又在镜前转了一转，装出仔细端详自己这身华服的样子。

The lords of the bedchamber, who were to carry his Majesty's train felt about on the ground, as if they were lifting up the ends of the mantle; and pretended to be carrying something; for they would by no means betray anything like simplicity, or unfitness for their office.

那些负责为陛下托着后摆的内侍们，都在地上摸索着，仿佛正托着外袍的下摆；他们装出正托着什么东西的样子；因为他们无论如何也不愿让人看出自己有半点愚钝，或不称其职。

So now the Emperor walked under his high canopy in the midst of the procession, through the streets of his capital; and all the people standing by, and those at the windows, cried out, “Oh! How beautiful are our Emperor's new clothes! What a magnificent train there is to the mantle; and how gracefully the scarf hangs!” in short, no one would allow that he could not see these much-admired clothes; because, in doing so, he would have declared himself either a simpleton or unfit for his office. Certainly, none of the Emperor's various suits, had ever made so great an impression, as these invisible ones.

于是皇帝走在高高的华盖之下，走在游行队伍的中央，穿过都城的大街小巷；街道两旁站立的百姓，还有那些在窗口张望的人，都齐声喊道：“啊！我们皇帝的新衣多美啊！外袍上的裙裾多么华丽；围巾垂下来的样子多么优美啊！”总之，谁也不肯承认自己看不见这件人人称羡的衣裳；因为这样一来，就等于承认自己是个傻子，或是不称职。的确，皇帝以往的哪一套衣服，都从未像这套看不见的衣服这样，给人留下如此深刻的印象。

“But the Emperor has nothing at all on!” said a little child.

“可是皇帝什么衣服也没穿呀！”一个小孩说道。

“Listen to the voice of innocence!” exclaimed his father; and what the child had said was whispered from one to another.

“听听这天真无邪的声音！”孩子的父亲惊叹道；孩子说的话就这样一个传一个地悄悄传开了。

“But he has nothing at all on!” at last cried out all the people. The Emperor was vexed, for he knew that the people were right; but he thought the procession must go on now! And the lords of the bedchamber took greater pains than ever, to appear holding up a train, although, in reality, there was no train to hold.

“可是他什么衣服也没穿呀！”百姓们终于齐声喊了出来。皇帝心里十分不安，因为他知道百姓说得没错；可是他想，游行现在必须继续下去！于是那些内侍们比先前更加卖力地装出托着后摆的样子，尽管实际上根本没有什么后摆可托。