"Wert mindful of" is an archaic or poetic phrase that combines the verb "wert," the short form of "were," and the adjective "mindful," to indicate a state of being considerate, attentive, or aware of something or someone. This phrase is often encountered in older texts, especially those written in Early Modern English.
The word "wert" is the second-person singular past tense form of the verb "to be" in Early Modern English. It is used to address or refer to someone directly, indicating that the phrase is directed towards an individual or group. "Mindful," on the other hand, is an adjective derived from the noun "mind," and it describes a person who pays close attention, remembering, or taking into account something or someone.
Consequently, the expression "wert mindful of" conveys the idea of being aware or considerate of something or someone in the past. It suggests that the subject had a conscious knowledge or understanding of the situation, person, or thing being referred to. For example, if someone were to say "If thou wert mindful of my advice, thou wouldst not be in this predicament," they are expressing the idea that if the person had paid attention or taken their advice into account earlier, they would not be facing their current difficulties.
In contemporary usage, this phrase is now considered outdated and is rarely utilized. It is more likely to be encountered in literature, historical documents, or poetic works where an author deliberately seeks a more antiquated or formal tone.
