Poetic Terms Dictionary
Poetic Form

Rondeau

Flourished in 15th-century France (Charles d'Orléans, Clément Marot); adopted in England by Wyatt and revived by the Pre-Raphaelites and Leigh Hunt.

Definition

A French lyric form of fifteen lines, two rhymes only, and a repeated rentrement (short refrain) derived from the opening words.

Example

Leigh Hunt's 'Jenny Kissed Me' (1838) is the best-known English rondeau.

Related Terms

Villanelle Triolet Rondel Fixed Form