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Heaney uses language and poetic devices to evoke sympathy for the Croppies in this battle.

The repetition of "no" in the line "No kitchens on the run, no striking camp -" reminds us how poor and ill-prepared these rebels were for battle with the organised British troops.

They were living rough with only pockets full of barley for food.

This is also reflected in the lack of effective weaponry on the Irish side - "shaking scythes at cannon" and sending "cattle into infantry" shows they were but farm men.

This is in contrast to the well-equipped British with their "artillery", "infantry", "cavalry" and "cannon".

The use of the plural third person pronoun "they" contrasts with the "us" and "we" from the speaker. This creates a 'them and us' division between the Irish rebels and the British soldiers.