GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Had , imp. & p. p. of Have. [OE. had, hafde, hefde, AS. hæfde.] See Have.1913 Webster
Had as lief, Had rather, Had better, Had as soon, etc., with a nominative and followed by the infinitive without to, are well established idiomatic forms. The original construction was that of the dative with forms of be, followed by the infinitive. See Had better, under Better.
1913 WebsterAnd lever me is be pore and trewe.
[And more agreeable to me it is to be poor and true.]C. Mundi (Trans.).1913 WebsterHim had been lever to be syke.
[To him it had been preferable to be sick.]Fabian.1913 WebsterFor him was lever have at his bed's head
Twenty bookes, clad in black or red, . . .
Than robes rich, or fithel, or gay sawtrie.Chaucer.1913 WebsterGradually the nominative was substituted for the dative, and had for the forms of be. During the process of transition, the nominative with was or were, and the dative with had, are found.
1913 WebsterPoor lady, she were better love a dream.
Shak.1913 WebsterYou were best hang yourself.
Beau. & Fl.1913 WebsterMe rather had my heart might feel your love
Than my unpleased eye see your courtesy.Shak.1913 WebsterI hadde levere than my scherte,
That ye hadde rad his legende, as have I.Chaucer.1913 WebsterI had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself.Shak.1913 WebsterI had rather be a dog and bay the moon,
Than such a Roman.Shak.1913 WebsterI had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Ps. lxxxiv. 10.1913 Webster