Eldorado

by Edgar Allan Poe
(published 1849)

GAILY bedight,
        A gallant knight,
In sunshine and in shadow,
        Had journeyed long,
        Singing a song,
In search of Eldorado.

        But he grew old --
        This knight so bold --
And o'er his heart a shadow
        Fell as he found
        No spot of ground
That looked like Eldorado.

        And, as his strength
        Failed him at length,
He met a pilgrim shadow --
        "Shadow," said he,
        "Where can it be --
This land of Eldorado?"

        "Over the Mountains
        Of the Moon,
Down the Valley of the Shadow,
        Ride, boldly ride,"
        The shade replied, --
"If you seek for Eldorado!"