Three Dukes

The verses themselves called them "three *bastard* dukes;" but the only bastard duke I can find at that time was the Duke of Monmouth; all the other creations of the king's bastards were subsequent to that date. And even if, by poetical licence or courtly anticipation, they could be called *dukes*, they were all too young to have any share in such a fray. I must further observe, that *Evelyn's Diary* is silent as to any such events, though he is, about that time, justly indignant at the immoralities of the Court. The "park" referred to, but not named in the verses, is the disreputable place ca…