During the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Lord Halifax was among the first to take up arms on behalf of the prince of Orange. However, with the prince firmly established on the throne (as William III), dozens swarmed to demand rewards for their roles in the campaign.
Halifax was reminded of the famed geese whose cackling had once alerted the Roman garrison of a night attack by Celts (in 190 BC): "Rome was saved by geese," he drily declared, "but I do not remember that these geese were made consuls."
Sources
Will and Ariel Durant, The History of Civilization
