Gaily¹ bedight，

    A gallant² knight³，

    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！"