NO. 45. — 1894.] KOSTANTINU HATANA. 



135 



KOSTANTINU HATANA. 



By F. W. de Silva, Mudaliyar, Galle. 



Kostantinu Hatana is the title of a little poem in Sinhalese 

 composed by a native Christian (whose name I am unable 

 to find out) about the early part of the seventeenth century, 

 probably. It consists of nearly 187 verses in various metres, 

 and is very interesting reading, treating, as it does, of the 

 successful march of Constantino de Sa, the great Portuguese 

 Captain-General, against the forces of Mayadunna under the 

 rebel chiefs Anthony Baretto and Kdngara. It is an 

 elegant composition, and reflects great credit on the author. 

 He appears to have studied the standard Elu works very 

 carefully, and to have read a great deal of Hindu Mythology 

 (to judge by the allusions) — an acquaintance with which is so 

 essential to a Sinhalese poet. I find, moreover, that he has 

 made a special study of Alagiyawanna's works, such as the 

 Kusa Jdtaka, Subhdsita, and Sewul Sandesaya, and is 

 indebted to him for several beautiful ideas. A perusal of 

 the work affords evidence of the fact that his sympathies 

 were on the side of the Portuguese ; but it is nevertheless 

 characterized by fairness and moderation of tone. I incline 

 to think that the writer was an eye-witness of the stirring 

 events narrated by him, as the account given of the progress 

 of the campaign is so graphic and vivid. 



Although the subject of the poem does not lend itself to 

 a description of all the features of a mahd kdvya, he has 

 introduced, in their proper places, forest scenes, aquatic 

 sports, &c, to enhance the interest of his narrative. The 

 alankdra introduced into the poem is both chaste and 

 beautiful. 



I have the honour to lay before this Society the results of 

 my study of this poetical work, in the hope that they will be 



