were't

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

“Were’t not affection chains thy tender days
To the sweet glances of thy honour’d love,
I rather would entreat thy company” (Two Gentlemen of Verona)

“As the free elements. And then for her
To win the Moor, were’t to renounce his baptism,
All seals and symbols of redeemed sin,” (Othello)

What does were’t mean, “were it”?
Furthermore, is the verse: “Were’t not affection chains thy tender days”, correct? I mean, why “chains” and not “chaining”? Wouldn’t it be correct to use the verb form of “chaining” here?

2

I may live to regret trying to answer any question about Shakespearean language, but yes, I think it means “were it”.

I understand the first line to mean “Were’t not that affection chains thy tender days”.

3

a, yes, your right: “were not that…”; thanks