Question

1. what is the meaning of lines 2464-2467 (\when herbald was dead, and his heart swelled / with grief. the murderer lived; he felt / no love for him, now, but nothing could help, / word nor hand nor sharp-honed blade, / war nor hate, battle or blood / or law.\)

Explanation:

These lines depict a situation after Herbald's death. The one who feels grief (likely someone close to Herbald) is left with the murderer still alive. The grief - stricken person realizes that nothing—words, physical actions (like a blade), conflict (war, hate, battle, bloodshed), or legal means (law)—can change the fact that Herbald is dead and the murderer remains. It conveys a sense of helplessness and the finality of death, as well as the inability of various forces (emotional, physical, societal - legal) to reverse the tragedy or bring justice/relief in a way that would undo the loss.

Answer:

The lines mean that after Herbald's death, the grieving individual (whose heart swells with grief) finds that the murderer is still alive. And no force—be it words, physical violence (like a sharp blade), conflict (war, hate, battle, blood), or the law—can alter the fact of Herbald's death or provide a remedy (like bringing him back or fully avenging him), conveying a sense of helplessness and the finality of the loss.