This is the short form of -(으)려고 하다 with the 고 dropped: intending or attempting something, as in 저흰 붙잡으려 했어요 (we tried to catch it), 회사를 빼앗으려 했다고요 (they tried to take the company). Six of the eight lines are in the past, usually with a 'but' attached, which is the typical use — an intention that did not come off. Next to the everyday spoken -ㄹ려고 하다, this clipped form reads tighter and slightly more written.