Under the circumstances in which they found themselves, hope delayed was but a cold and meagre consolation.
"To speak plainly," said Orange, "asking us to wait is very much as if you should keep a man three days without any food in the expectation of a magnificent banquet, should persuade him to refuse bread, and at the end of three days should tell him that the banquet was not ready, but that a still better one was in preparation.

Would it not be better, then, that the poor man, to avoid starvation, should wait no longer, but accept bread wherever he might find it?
Such is our case at present." It was in this vein that he ever wrote and spoke: The Netherlands were to rely upon their own exertions, and to procure the best alliance, together with the most efficient protection possible.

They were not strong enough to cope singlehanded with their powerful tyrant, but they were strong enough if they used the instruments which Heaven offered.

It was not trusting but tempting Providence to wait supinely, instead of grasping boldly at the means of rescue within reach.

It became the character of brave men to act, not to expect.