HANDEL 307 1 2th, and the orchestration filled up two days afterward — the whole work thus being completed in twenty-three days. Handel was fifty-six years old at the time. . The next ten years of the life of the "Goliath of Music," as he has been called, are marked by some of the most splendid achievements of his genius. "Samson," the " Dettingen Te Deum," "Joseph," " Belshazzar," "The Occa- sional Oratorio," "Judas Maccabeus," "Joshua," "Solomon." and, "Theodora," being composed by him during this time, when, already an old man, it might have been thought that he would have taken some repose after the labors of so toilsome and troubled a life. But, oak-like, he was one of those who mature late ; like Milton, his greatest works were those of his old age. But a terrible misfortune was approaching — his eyesight was failing. The "drop serene," of which Milton speaks so pathetically, had fallen on his eyes, and at the time when, in February, 1752, he was composing his last work, " Jeph- tha" (the one containing " Deeper and Deeper Still," and "Waft her, Angels "), the effort in tracing the lines is, in the original MS., very painfully apparent. Soon afterward he submitted to three operations, but they were in vain, and henceforth all was to be dark to him. His sole remaining work was now to im- provise on the organ, and to play at performances of his oratorios. There is a pathetic story told of an incident that occurred on one occasion, when " Samscn " was given. While the magnificent air, Total eclipse ! no sun, no moon ! All dark, amidst the blaze of noon. O glorious light ! no cheering ray To glad my eyes with welcome day. Why thus deprived thy prime decree ? Sun, moon, and stars are dark to me — was being sung by Beard, the tenor, the blind old man, seated at the organ, was seen to tremble and grow pale, and then, when he was led forward to the audi- ence to receive their applause, tears were in the eyes of nearly everyone present at the sight. It was like the scene that is described in Beethoven's life on the occasion of that composer's appearance, when almost totally deaf, to conduct his great Choral Symphony at Vienna. One night, on returning home from a performance of the " Messiah " at Covent Garden, Handel was seized with sudden weakness and retired hurriedly to bed, from which he was never to rise again. He prayed that he might breathe his last on Good Friday, " in hope of meeting his God, his sweet Lord and Saviour on the day of his resurrection." And strangely enough his wish was granted, for on Good Friday, April 13, 1759, he quietly passed away from this life, being then seventy-four years of age. His remains were laid in Poets' Cor- ner in Westminster Abbey, and the place is marked by a statue by Roubilliac, representing him leaning over a table covered with musical instruments, his hand holding a pen, and before him is laid the " Messiah," open at the words, " I know that my Redeemer liveth."
