Lo, whiche sleightes and subtilitees
In wommen been! For ay as bisy as bees
Been they, us sely men for to deceyve,
And from the soothe evere wol they weyve.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, The Merchant’s Tale Epilogue. After listening to the Merchant’s tale, the Host acknowledges the wiliness and trickery of women. Using a simile, he says they are always busy as bees to deceive innocent men and deviate from the truth.