Him had been lever to be syke. [To him it had been preferable to be
sick.]
Fabian.
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.
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.
Poor lady, she were better love a dream.
Shak.
You were best hang yourself.
Beau. & Fl.
Me rather had my heart might feel your love Than my unpleased eye
see your courtesy.
Shak.
I hadde levere than my scherte, That ye hadde rad his legende, as
have I.
Chaucer.
I had as lief not be as live to be In awe of such a thing as I
myself.
Shak.