Answer:
The poem's tone is one of praise.
1. The intended audience was the people of Britain.
2. The poem aims to commend the colonists heading to Virginia and to motivate others to join.
3. It is composed from the viewpoint of a poet seeking to advocate for the new colony while simultaneously criticizing those who did not embark with the others, highlighting the various advantages of this new settlement.
Explanation:
The poem was authored by Michael Drayton, targeting the general British audience. It specifically lauds those who ventured to Virginia, while scornfully addressing those who remained behind as idle. The overall tone is uplifting, celebrating some individuals while reprimanding others.
The poet effectively promotes the colony by likening it to a paradise. He concludes by urging Hakluyt, one of the colony's founders, to document their journey.