GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   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 Webster
   And lever me is be pore and trewe.
   [And more agreeable to me it is to be poor and true.]
   C. Mundi (Trans.).
   
   1913 Webster
   Him had been lever to be syke.
   [To him it had been preferable to be sick.]
   Fabian.
   
   1913 Webster
   For 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 Webster
   Gradually 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 Webster
   Poor lady, she were better love a dream.
   Shak.
   
   1913 Webster
   You were best hang yourself.
   Beau. & Fl.
   
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   Me rather had my heart might feel your love
   Than my unpleased eye see your courtesy.
   Shak.
   
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   I hadde levere than my scherte,
   That ye hadde rad his legende, as have I.
   Chaucer.
   
   1913 Webster
   I had as lief not be as live to be
   In awe of such a thing as I myself.
   Shak.
   
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   I had rather be a dog and bay the moon,
   Than such a Roman.
   Shak.
   
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   I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
   Ps. lxxxiv. 10.
   
   1913 Webster