Edgar Allen Poe's 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!"

I love this poem because Poe does an excellent job in illustrating the emotional journey that the traveler experienced.  He went from an enthusiastic man in search of Eldorado, and over time his heart grew weaker and shadows bean to fall on him as he began to give up hope.  It is a very sad poem, and I can't help but wonder who/what Poe meant for the shadow in the poem to symbolize.  Maybe it was a distraction, or maybe it was his own self-doubt.  Either way, the shadow tells the traveler that the thing he seeks lies in an unreachable place "Over the mountains of the moon, Down the Valley of the Shadow."  This may be Poe's way of expressing the fact that the traveler will never reach what he is looking for...which is kind of sad.  Whichever way you choose to interpret the symbolism, this is a great poem.