[214] παῦρα μέν: correlative with “οὐδ̓ ἀφαμαρτοεπής. ἀλλὰ μάλα λιγέως” is shown to be parenthetical by “ἐπεὶ οὐ πολύμυθος” which explains “παῦρα.” “Few words but to the point.” “Saying little indeed (although very clear, 2.246), for he was not a man of many words; but saying nothing which failed to hit the mark.” A Spartan king ought to be laconic! — cf. et Homerus brevem quidem cum iucunditate et propriam (id enim est non deerrare verbis) et carentem supervacuis eloquentiam Menelao dedit, quae sunt virtutes generis illius primi, et ex ore Nestoris dixit dulciorem melle profluere sermonem [A 249], qua certe delectatione nihil fingi maius potest: sed summam expressurus in Ulixe facundiam, et magnitudinem illi vocis et vim orationis nivibus hibernis copia verborum atque impetu parem tribuit. cum hocigitur nemo mortalium contendet, hunc ut deum homines intuebuntur. Quintilian xii. 10. 64 f.
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Homer's Iliad, Books I-III. Thomas D. Seymour. Boston. Ginn and Company. 1891.
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