FRENCH “FORMES FIXES”

Ballade:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EMbGN2jeno
The ballade as a verse form typically consists of three eight-line stanzas, each with a consistent
metre and a particular rhyme scheme. The last line in the stanza is a refrain. The stanzas are
often followed by a four-line concluding stanza (an envoi) usually addressed to a prince.
The rhyme scheme is therefore usually ababbcbC ababbcbC ababbcbC bcbC, where the capital
"C" is a refrain.

Virelai:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3sT8Tla02o

(A: refrain, b: different material, a different lyrics set to music of A)

The virelai consists of a refrain; a contrasting verse section, beginning with a couplet (two halves with
open and closed endings), and continuing with a section which uses the music and the poetic form of
the refrain; and finally a reiteration of the refrain. There may be up to three verse sections; Machaut
usually uses three, but many of the repertory manuscripts only include 1 or 2. The virelai begins and
ends with its refrain. In short, Virelai form: A bb' a A bb' a A bb' a A

Rondeau:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIHnJ3EWnIw
In its simplest and shortest form, the rondeau simple, each of the structural parts is a single
verse, leading to the eight-line structure known today as triolet, as shown in "Doulz viaire
gracieus" by Guillaume de Machaut:

Doulz viaire gracieus, A Sweet gracious face,

de fin cuer vous ay servi. B I have served you with a sincere heart.
Weillies moy estre piteus, a If you will have pity on me,
Doulz viaire gracieus, A sweet gracious face,
Se je sui un po honteus, a then if I am a bit shy,
ne me mettes en oubli: b do not embarrass me:
Doulz viaire gracieus, A Sweet gracious face,
de fin cuer vous ay servi. B I have served you with a sincere heart.