KING GUNTHER

(After a painting by B. Guth.)

Gunnar, Gunther, or Gunter, King of Burgundy, was probably a realpersonage of the troubled times with which his name is associated—aperiod distinguished as much for heroic characters as for tragicevents. Gunther represents the best type of kinghood of his age; a manswayed by his affections rather than by ambition, who scrupled atmisdeeds, yet yielded to the mastering passions of love; one whoseinstincts were loyalty to friends and country, and who shrank fromcruelties to gain his ends, but who fell a victim to woman'sfascinations. History accordingly praises him more for a lover thanfor a sovereign.