Eldorado - A poem by Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe - 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 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!"

Added: on October 11th, 2007 at 9:41 PM | Viewed: 25549 times | Comments and analysis of Eldorado by Edgar Allan Poe Comments (45)

Eldorado - Comments and Information
Poet: Edgar Allan Poe (Edgar Allan Poe Art) Poem: Eldorado Year: Published/Written in 1849 Poem of the Day: Aug 29 2004 Comment 45 of 45, added on December 29th, 2008 at 9:16 AM. This has been my favorite poem for over 40 years. When I first heard it in the movie of the same name, I had no idea who had written it. With a little research in Granger's index to poetry, I discovered EAP. Surprisingly, I had done a EAP project in high school, but had not come upon this particular poem. As I've read the poem over and over, I see different messages. At first it reminded me of Cervantes "Don Quixote", of which I am also very fond. The knight and Don Quixote both ride out boldly to search for perhaps the wrongs of the world. As I have grown older, I see the knight on a quest to reach a goal. Perhaps, he has already found it but did not recognize it, and so he is still looking. And as I have done a little more research on the poem, I discovered it was published in 1849, the year of the California gold rush. So maybe EAP was commenting on the futility of the search for gold. Whatever the message, EAP felt he wanted to impart, I think the real beauty of this poem is that it is so simple but yet complex enough to convey wonderful messages for all times and ages. Sue from United States Comment 44 of 45, added on March 7th, 2008 at 3:27 AM. The is my first from EAP, and i think i have not read anything as good as this. its so unique. i think the poem is about determination and faith in your puisuit in life, even if you dont get it you know you tried and did your best. obyM from Nigeria Comment 43 of 45, added on October 11th, 2007 at 9:41 PM. I wonder how old many of you are. How long have you sought your Eldorado? When you have riden long enough, you will find your strength failing you at length. We set out well apointed at the start of our quests and riding boldly forth. At some point, we look around and wonder will we ever reach our Eldorado. Ascribe to the pilgrim's shadow whatever identity you like, the advice remains sound. If you wish to reach Eldorado, or anywhere else, you must ride boldly ride in search of, pursuing it, building it, creating it. Kern from United States More Comments >> Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Eldorado, has received 45 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Edgar Allan Poe with others on the American Poems poetry forum!

Poem Info
Poet: Edgar Allan Poe Poem: Eldorado Year: Published/Written in 1849 Last read: Nov 29 2009, 3:40PM Poem of the Day: Aug 29 2004 Viewed 25549 times. Added on October 11th, 2007 at 9:41 PM.

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