[213] ἐπιτροχάδην, fluently (as Od. 18.26), not stumbling for want of words; it is explained by the whole of what follows, παῦρα being taken up by “οὐ πολύμυθος”, and λιγέως (which seems to mean clear in utterance) by “οὐδ᾽ ἀφαμαρτοεπής”, ‘no stumbler in words either’ (cf. Od. 11.511 “οὐχ ἡμάρτανε μύθων”, and 13.824 “ἁμαρτοεπές”). i.e. Menelaos spoke concisely, but what he did say he said clearly and without stumbling, cf. “ἀσφαλέως ἀγορεύει” Od. 8.171. In the fragment of Menelaos' speech on this occasion, as conceived by Bacchylides (xv.), it can hardly be said that the Homeric character, “οὐ πολύμυθος”, is observed.
