Understanding Poetry: Villanelle A form of poetry that originated in the 16th century but didn't become a fixed form until the 19th century, the Villanelle_began as Spanish and Italian songs of a rustic nature. The poem itself is composed of 19 lines in its entirety, with two refrains, and two repeating rhymes. The rhyme scheme of aba aba aba aba aba abaa is used. This is a total of 6 three lined stanzas. Lines 1 and 3 alternate to create the two refrains throughout the entire poem. Example Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas Line 1 Refrain) Do not go gentle into that good night, Line 2)Old age should burn and rave at close of day; Line 3: Refrain)Rage, rage against the dying of the light. Line 4)Though wise men at their end know dark is right, Line 5) Because their words had forked no lightning they Line 6) Do not go gentle into that good night. Line 7)Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Line 8)Their frail deeds might have danced in ...