In this same volume, _Odi barbare_, was a poem which attracted wide attention in Italy and aroused some indignation among the former friends of Carducci who had Republican principles. It was the tribute entitled “To the Queen,” dated November 20, 1878. While it was essentially an effusion to the grace, beauty, and literary gifts of Queen Marguerite as an individual, it resounded with the Hail! (“Long Live!”) which has come down from Hebrew days for king and queen. Although a Liberal to the end of his life, Carducci relinquished his antagonism to monarchy as he grew older and gentler in spirit. The influence of his friend in political life, Crispi, caused a reaction in Carducci from alliance with Republicanism, which veered towards Socialism, and an alignment again with the monarchical party. The final pledge of this political change was chronicled in the tribute to King Albert Charles in the poem, “Piedmonte,” in 1890. In the same year the poet was elected as senator and served for a brief time. To him Liberty now became an ideal for art, literature and religion, as well as for the State. Although the more serious interpreters of Carducci’s political fluctuations trace the gradual, and reasonable, steps from hatred of monarchy to acceptance and even poetic homage, there are other commentators who give a romantic flavor to the change of attitude. They declare that the new allegiance may be explained by a visit that the King and Queen made to Bologna. Carducci was lame and disinclined to meet people socially; he was immersed in his books and a few friends, outside his University classes. The story runs that Queen Marguerite, who was a literary critic and sponsor of the arts, invited the poet to an audience. Such an invitation is a summons but Carducci went unwillingly. He came away, however, from the visit inspired by the Queen’s appreciative sympathy and her literary insight. Thenceforward she was to him “Eterno femminino Regale.” Letters passed between the Queen and the poet. Their friendship has been compared to that of Michelangelo and Vittoria Colonna, in inspirational quality.