Note 385 — EPILOGUE TO CONSTANTINE THE GREAT. BY MR N. LEE, 1684.
Reading edition
The original Trimmer was probably meant for Lord Shaftesbury, once a member of the Cabal, and a favourite minister, though afterwards in such violent opposition. His lordship's turn for gallantry was such as distinguished him even at the court of Charles.—See Vol. IX. p. 446. The party of Trimmers, properly so called, only comprehended the followers of Halifax; but our author seems to include all those who, professing to be friends of monarchy, were enemies of the Duke of York, and who were as odious to the court as the fanatical republicans. Much wit, and more virulence, was unchained against them. Among others, I find in Mr Luttrell's Collection, a poem, entitled, "The Character of a Trimmer," beginning thus:
Hang out your cloth, and let the trumpet sound, Here's such a beast as Afric never owned: A twisted brute, the satyr in the story, That blows up the Whig heat, and cools the Tory; A state hermaphrodite, whose doubtful lust Salutes all parties with an equal gust. Like Ireland shocks, he seems two natures joined; Savage before, and all betrimmed behind; And the well-tutored curs like him will strain, Come over for the king, and back again, &c.