One can stare at greatness and one can step towards greatness, but these are not the same things as reaching out with both hands and drawing greatness towards us. We may never be able to pull all greatness, from crowned head to sandled foot, into the present. But surely it is better to have some greatness than none at all?

Perhaps we are too weak even for that. Perhaps we are only strong enough to hold fast and hold close, close enough to gaze up at the shining face, close enough to hear him say, “Patience, child, the time has not yet come.”