Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"To Master George Sandys Treasurer for the English Colony in Virginia" is a poem by Michael Drayton, a prominent English poet and playwright of the Elizabethan era. The poem was written in 1620 as a dedication to Sandys, who was a poet and traveler himself and had recently returned from Virginia.

The poem opens with Drayton praising Sandys for his travels and his literary achievements, calling him a "matchless man" and a "world-wandering wight." Drayton then goes on to express his admiration for Sandys' poetic works, describing them as "rich jewells set in lead" and praising their ability to transport the reader to far-off places.

Drayton also mentions Sandys' role as treasurer for the English colony in Virginia, expressing hope that his efforts will lead to the prosperity of the colony and the English nation as a whole. He concludes the poem by wishing Sandys well and expressing his desire to see him again.

Overall, "To Master George Sandys Treasurer for the English Colony in Virginia" is a tribute to Sandys' accomplishments and talents, both as a poet and as a public figure. The poem is notable for its vivid language and imagery, as well as its themes of travel, exploration, and the power of poetry to transport the reader to distant lands.

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