What is "had as lief"

Had \Had\ (h[a^]d), imp. & p. p. of Have. [OE. had, hafde, hefde, AS. h[ae]fde.] See Have.

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.

And lever me is be pore and trewe. [And more agreeable to me it is to be poor and true.]
--C. Mundi (Trans.).

Him had been lever to be syke.
--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.

Note: 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.

I had rather be a dog and bay the moon, Than such a Roman.
--Shak.

I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
--Ps. lxxxiv. 10.