An example of a villanelle:
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
by Dylan Thomas (1914-1953)
- 1 (A1) Do not go gentle into that good night,
- 2 (b) Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
- 3 (A2) Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- 4 (a) Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
- 5 (b) Because their words had forked no lightning they
- 6 (A1) Do not go gentle into that good night,
- 7 (a) Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
- 8 (b) Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
- 9 (A2) Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- 10 (a) Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
- 11 (b) And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
- 12 (A1) Do not go gentle into that good night,
- 13 (a) Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
- 14 (b) Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
- 15 (A2) Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
- 16 (a) And you, my father, there on the sad height,
- 17 (b) Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
- 18 (A1) Do not go gentle into that good night,
- 19 (A2) Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
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