The Seguidilla began as a popular dance song of Spain. The verse form was established and branched into variations by the 17th century. It has an alternating long short rhythm.

The Seguidilla is:

1. stanzaic, written in any number of 2 part septets. (7 lines)
2. syllabic, 7-5-7-5 : 5-7-5 per line. There is a slight pause between L4 and L5 suggesting L4 should be end-stopped.
3. rhymed by assonance xaxabxb or xaxabab. x being unrhymed. True rhyme is generally not used.
4. composed with a volta or change in thought between L4 and L5.
5. sometimes serves as a conclusion for another verse.
   
   Pase Doble
   
   The rapid click of slick heels
   pounding on the boards,
   play a staccato death knell
   for life never mourned.
   The red of his cape,
   a splash of blood on the floor,
   the matador's fate. .
   ----------- Judi Van Gorder