Note 111 — TO SALLUST. BOOK THE SECOND, ODE THE SECOND.
Reading edition
l. 15. Icarian fate—Penna metuente solvi must surely be allusive to the dissolving pinions of Icarus—and mean, that deeds of private generosity are apt to melt from the recollection of mankind; while those of what is called heroic exertion go down to Posterity. For this idea of the passage the translator was indebted to a learned friend.