What is the term for four lines of iambic pentameter, often with an abab rhyme scheme?

The term for four lines of iambic pentameter, often organized in an abab rhyme scheme, is known as a Heroic Quatrain. This specific structure is characterized by its use of iambic pentameter, which consists of five metrical feet with each foot containing an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The abab rhyme scheme adds a musical quality to the verse, creating a pleasing rhythm.

The Heroic Quatrain is commonly utilized in English poetry, particularly in narrative forms and poetic works that aim to convey grand themes or tales. Its regular meter and rhyme contribute to the form's elegance and formal feel, setting it apart from other types of quatrains, which may employ different metrical patterns or rhyme schemes.

In contrast, the Ballad Stanza typically consists of alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter, which differentiates it from the Heroic Quatrain. A generic Quatrain does not specify the meter or rhyme scheme, while the Petrarchan Sonnet is a specific form composed of an octave and a sestet, different from the four-line structure outlined in the question.