What is the rhyme scheme of a Spenserian stanza?

A Spenserian stanza has a specific rhyme scheme that consists of nine lines arranged in a particular pattern. The correct answer reflects this rhyme pattern: the first eight lines follow an alternating rhyme of 'a-b-a-b' for the quatrains, while the final line is a couplet that rhymes with the second line of the stanza, creating the 'b-c-b-c-c' ending. This structure was notably used by the poet Edmund Spenser in works like "The Faerie Queene," contributing to its unique musical quality and intricate weaving of themes.

The other options do not accurately portray the Spenserian stanza. For instance, the second option suggests a different combination of rhymes that do not align with the established form, while the remaining options all present varying structures that do not adhere to the traditional Spenserian stanza pattern recognized in English poetry.