Johnson and Nixon would never have passed the last two tests, and in Nixon's case, the line about not having "Nixon to kick around any more" was a sign he couldn't handle setbacks well.

Now the surest sign of a hurdle is one of those pointed literary allusions that Milton makes in Lycidas, one of those remote allusions that Johnson had complained about.

Mrs. Johnson: I read and dictate mail, sign autographs and pictures, read briefings about visitors when we are having a visit.