Sentences (not questions) that begin "Would that"...

What do these sentences mean?


Example I just pulled from the internet:

"Would that that reality was only a fantasy."


Huh?

 

Hm :S Is it possible it's a typo on the author's part?

 

A little poem here for you to demonstrate how when used correctly it makes sense.

Would that is mainly used in poetic writing. Instead of making a lengthy phrase about how you intend on doing something, how you would do something if you could, it's shortened.

On a larger scale, it can be used to express thoughts and ideas. Would that reality were fantasy, is basically if reality was a fantasy.

My god that is very badly explained. But try reading through the whole thing a few times, the meaning of the phrase should become apparent when reading in context.

 

Essentially it means the same as "If only ...", but with a more archaic tone.

 

it's very old-fashioned and not used much by today's writers, nor much understood by today's readers...

 

You guys have been helpful. Thanks.