Midrash sobre II Samuel 19:36

(Fol. 152a) Rabbi said to R. Simon b. Chalafta: "Why were we not permitted to see you on the festival day, as my ancestors were accustomed to receive thy ancestors?' Whereupon he answered: "The hillocks became mountainous. Those that were intimate and friendly, have become estranged, two have become three." And when the doors on the streets will be locked, while the sound of the mill becometh dull, and man riseth up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low (Ecc. 12, 4). And when the doors on the streets will be locked, refers to the organs of the extremities; While the sound of the mill becometh dull, i.e., when the stomach fails to grind; And man riseth up at the voice of the bird, i.e., when man becomes so weak that even the sound of the bird's voice disturbs his sleep; And all the daughters of song are brought low, i.e., when even the loud voices of the singers and song-stresses seem to him but as a whisper. Barzilai, the Giladite, also said the same unto David (II Sam. 19, 36.) I am eighty years this day: can I discern between good and evil? From this, we learn that the mind of a very old man changes [and cannot distinguish]. Or can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? (Ib.) From this, we learn that the lips of the old become lax (to taste). Or can I listen yet to the voice of the singers and songstresses? From this, we learn that an aged ear can barely hear. Rab said: "Barzilai, the Giladite, was a liar; for there was a male servant at the house of Rabbi, who was ninety-two years old, and would taste all the dishes [prepared for the house]." Raba said: "Barzilai, the Giladite, was excessively profligate, and whoever is excessively profligate becomes old rapidly."