Rondeau Poems

“Refrain and return—fixed music in a circle of lines.”

TitleAuthorType of Poem
A Midsummer Holiday:- II. A HavenAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Midsummer Holiday:- III. On a Country RoadAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Midsummer Holiday:- IX. On The VergeAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Midsummer Holiday:- V. A Sea-MarkAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Midsummer Holiday:- VIII. The SunbowsAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Ninth BirthdayAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Roundel From the French of VillonAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Roundel of RabelaisAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau
A Rover's Song.Bliss Carman (William)Rondeau
A Singing LessonAlgernon Charles SwinburneRondeau

Understanding Rondeau

A rondeau is a fixed French form built on two rhymes and a repeating refrain (the rentrement). Its musical return gives the poem a memorable circularity.

Core characteristics of the rondeau:

  • Structure: Traditionally 15 lines in 3 stanzas (5 / 4 / 6 lines).
  • Rhyme & Refrain: Uses only two rhymes (often noted a and b) and a refrain R made from the opening phrase. A common scheme is aabba aabR aabbaR, where R is the short repeated refrain.
  • Refrain (Rentrement): The refrain is usually the poem’s opening phrase (about a quarter to a half line) that returns at the ends of stanzas 2 and 3.
  • Meter: Historically octosyllabic (8 syllables) in French; in English, meter is flexible, but tight rhythm enhances the songlike feel.
  • Tone & Effect: The refrain reframes meaning as it returns—creating irony, deepening emotion, or sharpening focus.
  • Variations: Related forms include the rondelet and rondeau redoublé, which elaborate the refrain and repetition patterns.

In a strong rondeau, the refrain doesn’t just repeat—it evolves; each reappearance casts prior lines in a fresh light.