El Dorado

Eldorado

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 shadowFell as he foundNo spot of groundThat looked like Eldorado.

And, as his strengthFailed him at length,He met a pilgrim shadow —“Shadow,” said he,“Where can it be —This land of Eldorado?”

“Over the MountainsOf the Moon,Down the Valley of the Shadow,Ride, boldly ride,“The shade replied-”If you seek for Eldorado!”

1849