'On the 5th June, Bunsen had the high enjoyment of hearing the ' Messiah' of Handel for the first time as a whole : he had heard single pieces out of it, but in his earlier days the entire composition was never performed in Germany.' [...] 'Bunsen not only admired, but exulted in, the composition of the 'Messiah,'—looking upon the man who selected the Biblical texts for Handel's great purpose under Handel's superintendence, as an epic poet.' [...] 'In the performance of the 'Messiah' on this occasion, it was still given to the hearers to receive the full impression of the opening, ' Comfort ye, my people,' from the voice and genius of Braham, with an effect and emphasis such as have now become matter of tradition ; for were the style of rendering the sense enfeebled or altered from that standard, then would the soul of Handel no more speak to posterity, as it has spoken hitherto.'