_That star, that at your birth shone out so bright, It stained the duller sun's meridian light, Did once again its potent fires renew._--P. 37. There was a star visible on Charles' birth-day, 29th May, 1630; a circumstance much dwelt upon, by his party, during the civil wars. Lilly, the astrologer, who embraced the cause of the Commonwealth, assures us, it was nothing more than the planet Venus, which is sometimes visible in the day-time; and truly, if we judge of the matter by its influence on the merry monarch, Venus has the best title to be held the dominant power at his nativity. Lilly also repeats the following lines, presented to Charles I. (by the astrologer himself, I suppose,) when he went to St Paul's, to return thanks for the birth of his son: _Rex ubi Paulinias accessit gratus ad aras, Immicuit medio lucida stella polo: Dic divina mihi tractans ænigmata cœli, Hæc oriens nobis quid sibi stella velit? Magnus in occiduo princeps modo nascitur orbe, Moxque sub eclipsi regna orientis erunt._ LILLY'S Monarchy, or no Monarchy. Our author seems to allude to this star in the "Duke of Guise," where, speaking literally of Henry III., but covertly of Charles II., he makes Melanax say, ----He cannot be deposed, He may be killed; a violent fate attends him, But at his birth there shone a regal star. Vol. VII. p. 74. A poetical follower of Monmouth introduces the Duke of York murmuring against the good fortune of his brother, and exclaiming, Curse on that planet, whose benign ray Gilds the bright pavement of the Milky Way; And is so good, so influential To the great master of the Milky Hall. The same star, it would seem, was again visible in 1660. Note XXVI. _And as old Time his offspring swallowed down._--P. 37. The minutes, hours, days, and other subdivisions of time, may be accounted his children, which he is fancifully said to devour, as he passes over them. Note XXVII. _And France, that did an exile's presence fear._--P. 37. Charles was obliged to leave France, less because his presence was feared in itself, than the displeasure of Cromwell, for affording him shelter. TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY, A PANEGYRIC ON HIS CORONATION.