"Wert priced at" is an archaic phrase used in English literature, mainly from the Renaissance period, and is an alternative form of the phrase "were priced at." The verb "wert" is the second person singular past tense of the verb "to be" and is employed here in its subjunctive mood. The phrase is derived from Middle English and preserves the past subjunctive form of the verb "to be."
The term "priced at" can be understood as referring to the monetary value or cost assigned to an item or service in a specific context. "Wert priced at" therefore indicates that something was valued or marked with a specific price point in the past, particularly when addressed to an individual or group using the archaic second person singular form.
This construction implies an older or historical perspective and is more commonly used in literary works, such as plays, songs, or poems, which attempt to create a specific atmosphere, often in a more formal or elevated style.
For example, in a theatrical scene set in the medieval times, a character might say, "Thou wert priced at fifty silver coins, fair lady," indicating that the lady in question had a value assigned to her, likely as part of a bride price or dowry.
Overall, "wert priced at" is a linguistic relic that conveys a sense of historical context and represents a specific usage of verb tense and vocabulary in earlier English literature.
