> as lemmas

1606 J. Day Ile of Guls sig. D4^v You were worse then the deuil els, for they say hee helps his seruants.

1661 A. Brome Songs & Other Poems sig. K5^v The Devil's ever kind to his own.

1738 J. Swift Compl. Coll. Genteel Conversat. 84 Ay, Madam, that's true; For they say, the Devil is kind to his own.

1806 Simple Narr. I. 140 They say the devil is always good to his own.

1837 F. Chamier Arethusa II. i. 13 Weazel was the only midshipman saved besides myself: the devil always takes care of his own.

1897 Denver Evening Post 31 Mar. 4/1 It is said that the devil looks after his own and there can be no question..that he has been particularly active and enthusiastic in the behalf of Doyle, Fidel and Young.

1940 R. A. J. Walling Why did Trethewy Die? vii. 195 The devil looks after his own.

1999 Sunday Mirror 10 Oct. 19/4 Don't hold your breath, I tell him. The Devil looks after his own. Ronnie, you'll be here a long time yet.