Note 54 — PROLOGUE,
Reading edition
This seems to be an allusion to the pretended dukedom of Marine, in Beaumont and Fletcher's "Noble Gentleman," which had been revived in 1688, by Tom D'urfey, under the title of the "Three Dukes of Dunstable."
Gent. Hark you, sir, the king doth know you are a duke. Mar. No! does he? Gent. Yes, and is content you shall be; but with this caution, That none know't but yourself; for, if you do, He'll take't away by act of parliament. Mar. There is my hand, and, whilst I live or breathe, No living wight shall know I am a duke,