Shakespeare Words

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Bleach

Popularized in Love's Labour's Lost

When shepherds pipe on oaten straws
And merry larks are ploughmen's clocks,
When turtles tread, and rooks, and daws,
And maidens bleach their summer smocks
The cuckoo then, on every tree,
Mocks married men; for thus sings he, Cuckoo;
Cuckoo, cuckoo: O word of fear,


Four centuries later, and people are still bleaching their clothes, teeth, hair—you name it. It turns out even Shakespeare's crowd could appreciate a clean outfit.


Tag: Love's Labour's Lost

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