"All they really trust are their fast, flying ships
that cross the mighty ocean. Gifts of Poseidon,
ah what ships they are –
quick as a bird, quick as a darting thought!"
– Homer
The Odyssey, Book 7, lines 38-41. Athena speaks about the Phaeacians as a sea-loving people with great maritine skills. In similes she compares the speed of their ships to birds and swift thoughts.