The rondel originated from French lyrical poetry and consists of two rimes in three stanzas according to the formula:

Abba   abAB   abbaA(B)

The rondel may be thirteen or fourteen verses depending on whether you wish to finish with only the first verse of the refrain or with both verses. Note that a and A rime, b and B rime and in addition, A and B represent the repeated lines or refrain.

There have been several changes to its construction, but it is associated with the thirteenth century round folk dances. Not all rondels adhere to the definition for construction and there does not appear to be any fixed meter. However, a fixed meter such as iambic pentameter gives a much more pleasant and musical quality to the rondel.

Friends

(from Thĕ (Study of) Trees)
Original title Nature’s Sweet Tradition

Soft morning song, mellifluous petition
Of pleasantries that gently kiss the ear.
As darkness fades, the little ones appear
In ruffled feathers, dance the morn’s rendition.

Each note that’s sung from Nature’s small musician
To woo but one, this sprightly cavalier.
Soft morning song, mellifluous petition
Of pleasantries that gently kiss the ear.

Both song and beauty, by his own admission,
Performing at this special time of year,
To dance and sing, his mate she swoons quite near—
Then off they fly, ’tis Nature’s sweet tradition:
Soft morning song, mellifluous petition
Of pleasantries that gently kiss the ear.

Ferrick Gray
(The refrain is shown in boldface.)