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!”
Credits
Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer of the 19th century, celebrated for his mastery of Gothic fiction, mystery, and lyrical poetry. "Eldorado" was published in 1849, the same year Poe died, and many scholars read the knight's fruitless quest as a reflection of Poe's own lifelong search for fulfilment and recognition.
