The phrase "hadst one ship come in" is an example of archaic English that features unique spelling. The word "hadst" is the second person singular past tense of "have," and is pronounced /hædst/ with the 'd' sound clearly pronounced in the middle. The word "one" is pronounced /wʌn/, with the 'o' sound pronounced as 'uh.' When spoken, the phrase sounds like "hædst wʌn ʃɪp kʌm ɪn" and means "if only one ship had arrived."
The phrase "hadst one ship come in" captures a situation where only a single ship has arrived. It is a poetic and archaic manner of expression, which can be translated into more contemporary language as "only one ship had arrived".
The word "hadst" is the second-person singular past tense of the verb "to have" in Middle English. In this context, it refers to an action or possession that occurred in the past. "Ship" refers to a large vessel used for transporting goods or people across bodies of water. "Come in" indicates the ship's arrival at a specific location or port.
The phrase conveys a sense of limited expectations or a solitary occurrence. Its usage implies that the person speaking or being referred to had anticipated or hoped for multiple ships to arrive, but only one materialized. The focus is on the impact this single ship's arrival has, which may highlight disappointment or a need to adjust plans or expectations.
This phrase can be metaphorical as well, extending beyond its literal meaning. It could represent an instance where a person was eagerly awaiting a group of people or events but was ultimately let down as only one arrived. Thus, the phrase can be used in a broader sense to convey dismay, unfulfilled desires, or a disappointing outcome in any situation where multiple outcomes were expected, but only one came to fruition.