A short synopsis of the Apollo and Daphne story--Apollo is the Greek (also Roman) god of the Sun and also known as the god of the Silver Bow because he is an extremely great hunter and warrior. He had just conquered Python with his great archery skills and was feeling pretty smug when he saw the boy god Cupid playing with his bow and arrows and made fun of him for using warlike weapons. Cupid was offended and decided to get retribution.

Cupid took a golden arrow, which brings love, and shot Apollo who fell in love with the nymph Daphne. Apollo began pursuing her with such adoration that it frightened her.

Cupid then took a leaden arrow, which repels love, and shot the nymph Daphne, daughter of the river god Peneus.

Apollo chased after Daphne on the wings of love, but she fled from him on the wings of fear. Apollo's love increased the more he chased her.

Daphne called out to her father to save her and he sent an enchantment that changed her into a laurel tree, even as she ran from Apollo.

Knowing that he could not have the first woman he loved, Apollo took the laurel tree as his symbol, wove a crown of laurel leaves and wore them to show his devotion. He also decreed that conquerors should wear a crown of laurel leaves especially during triumphant processions of pomp to honor Apollo's tree and first love. Thus the crown of laurel leaves became the symbol of the victor in ancient times.

Rondeau Redouble is composed of six stanzas: five stanzas of four lines, and the final stanza of five lines. Each line in the first stanza successively becomes the respective fourth line of stanzas 2, 3, 4 and 5. Part of the first line is used as the concluding line in the sixth stanza, just line a rondeau.
Rhyming patterns
A1-B1-A2-B2
b-a-b-A1
a-b-a-B1
b-a-b-A2
a-b-a-B2
b-a-b-a-A1

Thank you to Drew Delaney for sponsoring the contest so I would try something new.

Thank you to avmurray for the loan of the artwork "Nymph"

p.s. I did not join the contest on purpose. The voting stresses me out and right now I have plenty of stress. I just wanted to enjoy the writing process. This was fun. :)

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