Sc. [Alteration of lour, var. of lever LIEFER, the structure of the phrase suggesting a pa. pple. as appropriate.] Only in I had or wad lourd = ‘I had rather.’
? 17[?]. Child Morice, in Child, Ballads, II. 275. I rather lourd it had been my sel Than eather him or thee.
1799. Scott, Sheph. Tale. But I had lourd melle with fiends of hell Than with Clavers and his band.
a. 1802. Jamie Telfer, xliii. in Child, Ballads, IV. 7. I wad lourd have had a winding-sheet And helped to put it ower his head.
a. 1802. Broom of Cowdenknows, xviii. ibid. IV. 199. And ere he had taken the lamb he did I had lourd he had taen them a’.
